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Welcome
to the July issue
Did
you miss the DMAW Bridge Conference at the Gaylord
National Resort this year? Read on for
highlights! |
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Eco-Corner:
The Sustainability Workshop |
 Last
week, our own Mandy Centracchio, Cheryl Keedy and Marie
Kosanovich (along with Brienne Collison of Mal Warwick)
had the opportunity to present The Sustainability
Workshop session at the DMAW Bridge Conference.
(And no, it had nothing to do with monthly
sustainers!)
There
are a variety of measures that you can take to make your
direct mail programs environmentally friendly and more
sustainable. Understandably, you may think to
yourself "How will that impact results? We can't
afford to spend any more money in this
economy!" However, simply asking for 10%-15%
post-consumer waste or using a lighter weight won't cost
any more and could actually save you money!
If you are looking to step up your
program and are willing to dedicate some
extra funds to do so, there are a variety of
options. Whether you are looking to use paper that
has a higher PCW content, comes from a certified source,
is processed chlorine-free or comes from a printer that
utilizes wind power, there is something that can fit any
budget.
If
you are having trouble navigating through the sea of
logos and 'eco-friendly' disclaimers, you are not
alone! For more information on this session and
how to ramp up your sustainability, please contact
Cheryl Keedy at CKeedy@psmail.com.
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Important
Postal Updates |
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Production
Solutions attended the "Postal Service Financial Crisis"
briefing held by the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers on
July 21st. As we all know, the USPS is in bad
shape financially, and unfortunately, we have learned
that the situation will get worse before
it gets better!
The
USPS lost $2.8 billion in 2008 and is already projected
to lose $6 billion in 2009. Some insiders are
even projecting that the loss could be as much as $10
billion by year's end, with a $24 billion loss by
the end of 2011! So how is this groundbreaking
news, you might ask? We've all known that the post
office is in trouble!
Mail
volume is dropping and the CPI is projected to end the
year with a loss. This means the new rates would
go down. Good news,
right? Wrong! Reducing the rates would
drive the USPS debt and deficit higher. The
USPS is projected to be bankrupt in 2010 with not enough
money to cover expenses and payroll. So what can
you expect as mailers who heavily rely on the USPS
every day?
- 5
Day delivery: Saturday delivery would most
likely be eliminated, saving $2 billion per year.
- Labor
union and USPS employees making wage concessions
to reduce labor costs (or at least agree to a salary
freeze), estimated savings unknown.
- The
Postal Rate Commission filing an Exigent Rate
Case. This would be filed outside of the annual
CPI rate increase due to extraordinary
circumstances. If approved, this could mean an
8%-10% rate increase as early as May
2010!
- Potential
elimination of nonprofit rates, saving $1.15
billion per year.
Some
of these measures, the 5 day delivery for
instance, wouldn't take place for several
years. It goes without saying that some of the
potential changes would have negative impacts.
However, all ideas to remedy the problem are being
considered at this point. For more details on this
news, please contact your account service
representative. |
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"And
the MAXI goes to..." |
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 Congratulations
to all of this year's MAXI (Marketing Award for
Excellence & Innovation)
recipients! PS is proud to have produced 8 of
the winning packages. We would like to
recognize our client partners as well as our account
managers for putting forth such a great team
effort!
Brady
Center
to Prevent Gun Violence, July Urgentgram
Appeal
Silver
award for Nonprofit Fundraising
Agency:
Avalon Consulting Group, Inc.
Account
Manager: Michele Rosenberger
Carnegie
Museums of Pittsburgh
Bronze
award for Nonprofit
Acquisition
Agency:
Daniller + Company
Account
Manager: Andrea Bentley
City
Harvest, 2008 Year End
Appeal
Bronze
award for Nonprofit Fundraising
Agency: Craver,
Mathews, Smith & Co.
Account
Manager: Cory
Kramer
Defenders
of Wildlife, Integrated Calendar
Appeal
Silver
award for Nonprofit
Fundraising
Account
Manager: Marie
Kosanovich
Project
HOPE, October Lifeboat
Appeal
Silver
award for Nonprofit
Fundraising
Agency:
Craver, Mathews, Smith & Co.
Account
Manager: Lori
Archut
Save
the Children, Matching Gift
Appeal
Bronze
award for Nonprofit
Fundraising
Account
Manager: Tara
Draper
Save
the Children, Special Gifts Annual
Fund
Bronze
award for Nonprofit
Renewals
Account
Managers: Tara Draper and Marie
Kosanovich
United
States
Holocaust
Memorial
Museum,
Sherman Note Card
Appeal
Silver
award for Nonprofit
Fundraising
Account
Managers: Michele Harding and Lauren
Staus |
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In
Other News |
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Cumulative
client savings since January 2009 from commingling is
now over $1,105,000!
__________________
Production
Solutions has been highlighted as the ADRFCO
(Association of Direct Response Fundraising) July
Partner of the Month! For more details visit
www.adrfco.org.
__________________
June Trivia
Question:
Which
symbol indicates that paper was made using recycled
materials? Answer:
C)
The
other logos represent paper that is
recyclable (A), recyclable plastic resin code 1 (B) and
acid free paper (D).
_______________
Production
Solutions is being proactive in preparing for an IMB
discount! Is your direct mail campaign
ready? Ask your account manager for
details!
_______________
Thanks
to all who were able to stop by the PS Hospitality Suite
last week! We were happy to be your oasis away
from the
Bridge Conference!
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Which
is it? The PS July Trivia Question
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What
percentage of the world's forests are certified through
the FSC, SFI, PEFC, CSA or other similar
organizations?
A. 4.1%
B. 10% C.
18.3% D.
30%
The
first person to e-mail the correct answer to Marie
Kosanovich at mariek@psmail.com will win a restaurant
gift
card. |
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Get
to know the PS Staff |
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 Cheryl
Keedy
Director
of Package Innovation
Tenure
at PS:
14 years
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the
University of Pittsburgh
Favorite
Restaurants:
Morton's, Marcel's, 2941, Guy Savoy, Oyamel and The
Vienna Inn
Favorite
Movies:
The Gladiator, Slumdog Millionaire, The
Ring
Must
Tivo TV:
Curb Your Enthusiasm, The
Tudors
Favorite
Vacation Spots:
Laguna
Beach,
NYC
Leisure
Interests:
cooking, gardening, training my German shepherd, Sarge,
to love all creatures big and small, and good times with
my family.
Most
Memorable Direct Mail Adventure:
Producing a mailing in the US that was shipped to
England for
deposit in the mail in order to acquire the Royal Mail
postal
cancellation. |
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Thank
you again for choosing Production Solutions as a partner
for your direct marketing
needs! |
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