The Catablog
Posts Tagged ‘Arandell’
PRC Denies USPS Request for Exigent Postal Increase
In a news conference today, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) unanimously denied the USPS request for an exigent postal increase in 2011. The USPS still plans to implement an increase equivalent to the CPI, which is currently around 1.4% (as opposed to the increase greater than 5% that would have been imposed with the exigent case).
This is great news for our industry! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Susan Pinter or me at 800-558-8724.
For the offical press release, click here.
How to Measure your Flat Mail’s Droop
It’s hard to believe but we’ve been talking about revised deflection/droop standards for at least eight months now.
For those of you who are just tuning in now, the droop (deflection) test measures the flexibility of mailpieces (specifically commercial flats). If mail pieces are too flexible they will topple over as they travel through the USPS sorters and scanners. Implementing deflections standards, or droop standards, will greatly reduce the amount of direct mail pieces that fall off the machines. Recently, the USPS extended the deadline for the deflections standard implementation to June 7, 2010. And, price consequences will take effect October 3, 2010. With the change in implementation dates, also came some changes to the way the droop of your mailpiece will be measured.
Click here to see an instructional video. Otherwise, read on!
(With regards to the video we know that the square piece is very close to failing, but it did meet the USPS standards.)
Written instructions about how to measure the droop of your mailpiece can be found here. (To get to the instructions, skip to section 1.6 of the document.)
You failed the droop test, now what?
Contact us! We have lots of solutions for drooping catalogs. We can work with you to make sure you optimize postage savings and pass the deflection standards … all without changing the style and branding of your catalog! (We have already worked with the client (along with many others) whose catalog failed in the video to transform their piece into one that will pass the newly-revised droop test.
Here are some additional resources if you would like to learn more about the new deflection regulations:
Click here for some of the industry comments about the new standards.
Click here to contact me or Susan Pinter, Arandell’s postal experts.
BCC Software Video
In November, we announced that we will be working with BCC Software as our postal solutions provider. Recently, Don Landis, VP of Arandell Postal Affairs testified about the success we have experienced while working with BCC. Click here to check out the video.
For questions regarding Arandell’s postal solutions, contact Don Landis (HDLandis@arandell.com) or Susan Pinter (SGPinter@arandell.com). They can both also be reached at 800.558.8724.
ARE YOU MOBILE?
This past week I was in New York. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and I was sitting on a bench at Noon eating a hotdog and watching everyone rush by on 6th Avenue. What I noticed more than ever is that most people were not enjoying the great weather or for that matter, the people walking around them; they were too busy with their heads down looking at their phones. I did a quick test. For one minute I counted the number of individuals who were not using their phone either to (believe it or not) talk or to look at their emails, websites and yes, mobile apps. There were only 33 people who fell into that category…33 people out of hundreds that rushed by! That is incredible but not unusual. We have become obsessed with our phones and their ability to do just about everything for us. Here is an interesting fact; people sleep more nights with their phones than with a human person. These phones must be something special.
Today there are over 285 million mobile phones in use in the U.S. and of those, 160 million have the ability to text. Get this, even though there are “only” less than 50 million iPhones and Blackberrys in use, the Apple store has downloaded over 2 billion apps so far. You do the math.
So you have two choices; embrace this new technology or think it’s a passing fad that will be gone as soon as the next major communications invention arrives. Let’s take the side of embracing it.
When we look at the different marketing channels we think of the basics; brick and mortar, direct mail and the youngest member, the Internet. Now there’s a new kid in town – mobile, and he’s growing bigger each month, more than the other three combined.
So how do you get on the mobile wagon? There are a few steps to take to see if it’s right for you now. Keep in mind it’s not a question of IF its right, but rather a question of WHEN it’s right for you. Sooner or later you will be riding the Mobile Wagon.
- Look at your customer base. How much of your sales are generated through the Internet? (Don’t be confused with “through the Internet” as opposed to by the Internet.) Most likely you see that number growing, meaning your customers are savvy, technological capable, and want to control the buying decision when they want to. If you answer, “yes” to this – you are ready for mobile.
- In analyzing your web results, what percentage of hits is from mobile phones? If you see any at all – you are ready for mobile.
- Do you want the ability to “talk” to your customers at any time or any place they are, maybe even as they just walk into your store? If yes – you are ready for mobile.
- Do you want to give your customers the option to experience a rich, visual, and inviting view of your store that is always open for business? If you say yes to this – say mobile.
- Can your customers walk and talk at the same time? Are they over the age of six? If yes – you are ready for mobile.
Keep in mind, mobile will not, repeat, NOT replace any of your existing marketing channels. What it will do is give your customers another alternative to see your products, understand your company and most importantly buy from you in a very different environment. Used strategically with your other channels, mobile is a great new addition to your weaponry.
There are several ways to break into the mobile market. The beauty of this technology is that you can take it very slowly and build over time or go hog wild from the get go. Either way, you will be adding a whole new dimension for your customers and prospects to interact with you. And since this technology is relatively new, most marketers have only begun to unleash the ability of this channel so you can get very creative and give your customers a highly unique experience before others copy your great idea.
So do not fear, mobile is here and is not going away. But it is a great marketing partner for you and its possibilities are only limited by your creative abilities. Give me a call to learn how Arandell is embracing this technology and how we’re working with our customers to incorporate mobile with the Mother of all marketing channels – The Catalog.
Electronic vs. Printed Communication: The Sustainability Battle (Part III)
I’ll try to keep this short and sweet. The idea of full lifecycle analysis of print and paper versus digital and electronic communication seems to be gaining steam. The result: print and paper might not be as bad as advertised and perhaps we should be focusing more of our attention on the digital and electronic media.
In honor of Earth Day, I thought it might be a good time for a follow-up on my previous posts about the sustainability battle between electronic and printed media.
Let me be clear: I am not advocating the elimination of digital media. On the contrary, I am a big supporter of it. What I am not a fan of is the false notion that paper and print are more harmful to the environment than digital. If you really dig deep and think of the total lifecycle of a product, you can clearly see how that particular product, from cradle to grave (or cradle to cradle) has the ability to impact the environment.
I recently came across a couple of articles that correspond directly with what I am trying to achieve through this dialogue; one from the New York Times and one from PBS. In addition, this post from the Dead Tree Edition blog discusses what one publication did to fully understand what its environmental footprint really is.
Point is, let’s really think about these matters in a way that encompasses everything.
I look forward to hearing your feedback on this post. Feel free to contact me any time!
3rd Annual ACMA National Catalog Forum
The American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) held its third National Catalog Forum April 13-15 in Nashville, TN. From a personal standpoint, I thought it was one of the best forums of this kind I have attended in a long time. I should know; I have been in the mailing industry 44 years and have attended more events than I can count. Looking around the room I saw some of the most influential catalogers in the industry.
The forum started off with Mark Acton, Commissioner, U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission. Mark covered a list of postal issues that may impact catalogers. I was impressed with the quality and thoughtfulness of the questions asked by attendees. Pat Donahoe, Deputy Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, discussed several topics, the one of the highest level of interest being the Flats Sequencing System (FSS) and how it will affect future postal ECR rates.
Other topics covered include co-mailing, Do Not Mail, prospecting, USPS catalog marketing efforts and growth in catalog mail volume.
The ACMA is THE advocate for catalogers. Its annual forum is packed full of valuable information that will impact all of you. In the future, I highly encourage all catalogers to attend the forum, so that we as mailers have a bigger voice in Washington.
For more information, please feel free to contact Don Landis, HDLandis@arandell.com. He can also both be reached at 800.558.8724.
Arandell Corporation Recognized at 2010 National Postal Forum
“We are pleased to recognize and honor Arandell Corporation for its innovation, creativity and leadership,” said Steven J. Forte, USPS Senior Vice-President of Operations, who nominated the company for the award. “It has produced winning business results and supported the mailing industry.”
Arandell Corp., based in Menomonee Falls, WI, is a family-owned, privately held printer and mailer, producing and distributing high-quality catalogs and custom publications for the world’s leading marketers. It provides service to retail, consumer, business-to-business, brand and custom specialty organizations. Arandell offers single-source production which includes premedia, printing, bindery, personalization, data processing, co-mailing, mailing and distribution, logistics, website development and electronic commerce.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, Arandell has been on the cutting edge of ecologically preferred methods of turning hazardous materials into productive uses, conserving resources and protecting the environment. Arandell is a test site for products limiting negative impact on air and water quality and misuse of land and makes capital investments in the latest and most-effective pollution control equipment. Arandell has made a commitment to surpass Federal and State laws regulating water and air quality, and collaborates with suppliers and customers to implement programs limiting the environmental impact of its products throughout its life-cycle from manufacturing to disposal.
Arandell has received tri-certification in forestry management practices from the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. All three of these organizations are non-profit, non-governmental groups recognized globally for promoting responsible forest management. Arandell participates in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Green Tier program and is a SmartWay partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect our environment, reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality for future generations. It continues to invest in state-of-the-art pollution control equipment and recycles oil, paper, cartons, pallets, plastics, aluminum and steel.
Arandell was among a select group of postal customers honored as “best in class” in the “Corporate Business Achievement” award category.
Founded in 1922 and based in Menomonee Falls, WI, Arandell Corporation provides high-quality premedia, printing, mailing, distribution, list management, database marketing strategies, education, logistics and consulting services to America’s premier custom publishers, catalogers and retailers. Arandell is on the cutting edge of ecologically-preferred methods for conserving resources and protecting the environment with its production practices.
Arandell Announces Mobile Solutions, Powered by Digby
Menomonee Falls, WI, Austin, Texas, April 15, 2010 – Arandell Corp., North America’s premier and most robust offset printing company, today announced a partnership with Digby, the leading provider of mobile commerce solutions for retailers, to power Arandell Mobile Solutions, providing retailers with mobile optimized extensions for their print catalogs. Additionally, Arandell and Digby have entered into an ongoing Strategic Marketing Agreement to develop innovative and cutting edge cross-channel marketing practices that fully leverage the complementary strengths of catalog, mobile and in-store channels.
“Through our internal response analysis we conduct for our clients, catalogers who integrate a mobile solution into their overall marketing mix see a significantly higher customer response to their marketing messages, produce a higher customer average order and achieve higher customer retention” said Jim Treis, EVP Sales and Marketing at Arandell. “We chose to partner with Digby because of their expertise and experience in our market, coupled with the fact that their solution works seamlessly across multiple phone platforms. This combination makes Digby unique in the market. They were the natural choice to power for Arandell’s Mobile Solutions offering.”
Consumers are increasingly looking to their mobile devices to research products they are interested in. Making it easy and efficient for mobile users to find product specifications, access social content such as product ratings & reviews, share products with friends through integration with Facebook, and even access product availability in retailer’s stores, all of which are components of a comprehensive multi-channel strategy. Arandell and Digby have developed best practices and standards for catalog retailers that enable consumers to use their mobile device as part of the shopping experience. Mobile integration points include mobile friendly urls and bar codes that provide consumers with real time access to relevant information for their purchase decision.
“Forward thinking retailers are treating mobility as a strategic opportunity and delivering an immersive mobile experience.” said Dave Sikora, CEO of Digby. “Our relationship with Arandell will allow us to deliver a compelling mobile experience that complements their direct mail and catalog initiatives.”
According to a recent survey by Ruder Finn1, an independent public relations agency, 34% of mobile users use their devices to find background information on products or read product reviews.
1 Ruder Finn Mobile Intent Index (http://intentindex.com/mobile)
Founded in 1922 and based in Menomonee Falls, WI, Arandell Corporation provides high-quality printing, mailing, distribution, list management, database marketing strategies, education, logistics and consulting services to America’s premier custom publishers, catalogers and retailers. Arandell is on the cutting edge of ecologically-preferred methods for conserving resources and protecting the environment with their production practices.
Digby is the leading software as a service provider of mobile commerce solutions for top retailers. The award winning Digby Mobile Commerce Suite delivers an optimized shopping experience with both web and application based mobile storefronts that include easy search, browse and purchase capabilities, personal information integration, secure wallet and location based service functionality. Led by software industry veterans, the privately held company is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For additional information, please visit www.digby.com.
USPS 2010 Summer Sale & 5-Day Delivery Website Address
The USPS recently made the following announcements regarding the 2010 Summer Sale and a newly-launched website regarding 5-Day Delivery.
2010 USPS Summer Sale
The USPS has announced the 2010 Standard Mail Summer Sale Program. To be eligible to participate in the 2010 event, a company must have mailed 350,000 or more Standard Mail letters and flats between July 1 and September 30, 2009 through Permit Accounts owned by the customer or through ghost permits. The sale offers eligible companies a 30% postage rebate for a predetermined volume threshold mailed between July 1 and September 30, 2010.
Additional information about the Summer Sale Program is available at
5-Day Delivery Website Address
The USPS has launched a website on usps.com to provide information to all customers about its proposal to implement a five-day street delivery schedule. The Postal Service proposes to end regular Saturday mail delivery to street addresses as part of a comprehensive plan to ensure that it can continue to deliver affordable service to the American people. Post Offices will remain open on Saturdays.
The website has a planning guide for businesses and household customers, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
The site is live and can be visited at http://www.usps.com/communications/five-daydelivery.
If you have questions about either of these updates, please feel free to contact Arandell’s postal experts:
Don Landis (HDLandis@arandell.com)
Susan Pinter (SGPinter@arandell.com)
They can also both be reached at 800.558.8724.
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Call Jim Treis: 800-558-8724
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