February 2009
 Vol 2, Issue 2
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PS Insider
Welcome to the February issue
of the PS Insider

We wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!
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Please note: PS will be closed February 16th
for Presidents' Day...
USPS Rate Increase Announced!
As you already know, postage is going up May 11th! Below is a breakdown of the average increase for each class of mail. If you have more questions or need breakdown on how this might affect certain programs, don't hesitate to reach out to your daily PS contact! For more detail you can find the complete rate chart click here.
Class                                        Percent Increase
Full Rate First Class Letter/Card           4.6%
Presorted First Class Letter/Card         3.1%
First Class Flats                                 3.9%
Non-Profit Letters                              3.8%
Non-Profit Flats                                  2.3%
Non-Profit Non-Flat Machinable         16.4%
Standard Letters                                 4.2%
Standard Flats                                   4.0%
Register in Hawaii!
If you are currently soliciting in Hawaii, you must register by March 1 using the electronic filing system developed for the state by Urban Institute.  The landing page and instructions can be found at here! 
 
Since it's now in a new online format, invariably there will be glitches and other issues that may trip up would-be filers.  Please let us know right away if you have any negative feedback completing the form.  We'll work with our partners to sort out the particulars and work with the state to help find a cure.
 
The reporting consists of one-time registration (for which there is no fee) and annual financial reporting (with fees) consisting largely of IRS Forms 990.  It is the registration portion that is now online and running.  Annual reporting will follow (which -- we hope -- will be as simple as uploading a PDF of a 990 and paying a fee by credit card).
Offering or Mailing Premiums?
At the beginning of each calendar year, the USPS adjusts the value of items that can be mailed at Non-Profit rates. For 2009, the maximum value of these "low-cost items" is $9.50. The new ruling goes on to mention that items donated or contributed to the Non-Profit organization do not have to meet this low-cost Premium definition...For more details visit here!      (DMM rule 703.1.6.11)
Non Profit Conference Cocktail Party
On January 29th, PS hosted an intimate cocktail party at Acadiana Restaurant. We thank those who were able to attend! We enjoyed spending time with you.
 
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In This Issue
USPS Rate Increase Announced!
Register in Hawaii!
Offering or Mailing Premiums?
PS Cocktail Party
Green Solutions!
Get To Know the Staff
Quick Links
Production Solutions

USPS

DMA Responsibility

DMA Choice

RIBBS
PS is the first in our industry to offer tracking of every single piece it mails!

Contact PS to learn more details about our MailTrak service.

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Green Solutions at Your Fingertips!
Environmental responsibility is important to PS and our clients! That is why we have taken initiative by expanding the amount of sustainable options (FSC/SFI paper) available to our clients - that will fit any budget. Currently PS has over 50 partners in our portfolio to help serve all your direct mail needs!  

Production Solutions promotes accurate, effective and responsible direct marketing. Moreover, PS is a proud supporter of DMAchoice and the DMA Recycle program. We encourage all our partners to do the same!
  
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Get To Know the PS Staff
Patrick

Patrick McVean
Client Services Director



Tenure at PS- 6 ½ years
Education- Graduate of George Mason University
Favorite Restaurants- Tasty 29 Diner, Matchbox, Captain Pell's, & Mother's
Favorite Movies- Weird Science, Saving Silverman, Dr. Strangelove, & Slumdog Millionaire
Must Tivo TV- House, 24, Kath & Kim & It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Favorite Music- Bruce Springsteen, Sirius '70s & Sirius Outlaw Country
Leisure Interests- Traveling, Hiking, Elliptical, Wii, watching The Washington Redskins...(sometimes painful) & spending time with loved ones
Most Memorable Direct Mail Adventure- In my third week at PS, my client had an unexpected mailing that had to mail within 24 hours. With limited production experience, I was thrown into the flames with a high-dollar package that included a 3-way match and printing on special stocks.  Moving with great speed but needed accuracy, I scrambled on getting client budgets, budget approvals, postage from client (picked-up myself!), printing (press checked), personalization, commemorative hand stamping, and inserting, all in the span of 24 hours. The mailing was a success and reached in-home before a special holiday. Moreover, I learned a great deal about myself and meeting expectations that normally would be unrealistic, but achieving them reaffirmed to me, and to my client, that anything is possible!
Thank you again for choosing Production Solutions as a partner for your direct marketing needs!

Sincerely,
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Patrick McVean, Mandy Centracchio & Marie Kosanovich
Production Solutions Client Services Team