NAMMU MEDIA GROUP
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31, 2007
DOMTAR OFFERS FIRST ANTIMICROBIAL OFFICE PAPER
Earlier this month, Domtar launched the first antimicrobial office paper
available
in North America. Designed to protect paper against the growth of bacteria,
odors, fungus, mold and mildew, this product is specially treated with a
silver
compound that kills most bacteria that come into contact with it. Although
conceived for general office use, the paper’s unique characteristics
make it ideal for the healthcare, laboratory, hospitality, education and
governmental
sectors. Read more: www.domtar.com
DMAT HONORS DIRECT STARS
At its annual Christmas gala, the Direct Marketing Association of Toronto
(DMAT), named its 2006 picks. These awards honor individuals who have made
a significant contribution to DIRECT in Canada. 2006 Direct Marketer of the
Year: Steve Lloyd, DMN Direct Marketing News Irv Twilley Award: Tony Carpino,
Heart & Stroke Foundation President’s Choice Award: Paul Allamby,
Padulo Integrated Inc. DMAT Visionary Award: Lindsay Holton, npg envelope
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Coles, Cornerstone Group of Companies.
DMAT provides a forum and meeting place for professionals who rely on direct marketing for their business success. The NAMMU Awards annually celebrate excellence in marketing through the medium of mail and DMAT has strongly supported these industry awards through an annual sponsorship, since 2005. For news about the 2007 NAMMU’s contact: topten@nammu.org
INNOVAPOST ENHANCES VOTE BY MAIL
According to Performance (November/December 2006), Innovapost put its expertise
behind Canada Post’s VOTE BY MAIL project for the November 13 Ontario
Municipal Election. Voters in 54 municipalities that chose the option submitted
their votes via Lettermail instead of at a polling station. The Corporation
began the VOTE BY MAIL Program in 1997, and process evolution has included
the addition of the web application Innovapost designed in 2003. The current
web application provides tools that support the municipalities in refining
voter lists and creating and assigning the elected officers on the ballot.
Once voter lists were frozen in October, Canada Post was able to print ballots
and mail election kits to voters identified in the application. Grant Knowles,
senior consultant of Application Delivery at Innovapost, says “Not
only
is the solution easier for smaller municipalities, but it also tends to produce
a higher voter turnout.” Knowles added that Canada Post markets a complete
portfolio of voting solutions across the country.
CANADA POST AND BERTELSMANN SIGN THREE YEAR CONTRACT
In 2006, Canada Post reportedly signed a three-year contract, worth an estimated
$86-million, with Bertelsmann, the parent company of Columbia House and Doubleday.
Together, these two organizations are ranked among Canada Post’s top
25 customers. (See Performance November/December 2006) Columbia House and
Doubleday rely mainly on direct mail to attract new members and maintain
the
existing customer base. Canada Post is working to position its direct mail
product - Admail - as a method of recruiting new members as well as managing
the loyalty of current members. The deal includes Mail Presort services,
Expedited
parcels and Addressed Admail.
USPS DATA ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Mailers impacted by the August 2007 USPS data access restrictions are receiving
individual replies from USPS Address Management executive to their written
requests for a delay in implementation. With permission, NAMMU is sharing
these replies with POSTCOM (Association for Postal Commerce) www.postcom.org,
whose executive has been understanding and supportive of the Canadian mailing
industry’s issues with the decision. NAMMU members are being updated
individually as they relay their responses to the NAMMU executive. Along
with
a likely trip to Buffalo for on site discussion with representatives of this
main USPS mail entry point, NAMMU Councils are preparing additional information
and status sessions.
As a component of the NAMMU business build initiatives in 2007, The NAMMU Data Management and Privacy Council, the VAM Council, Publications Mail Council, and the Mail Marketing Council are drafting the agenda for TRENDS IN ADDRESS MANAGEMENT (a logical progression from the highly successful X-Treme Address Management round table held in 2006.) Intended to be North American in scope, the planned USPS restrictions will form part of that agenda. More information: executive@nammu.org
JPMORGAN OPENS OTTAWA POSITIONS
Chase Card Services, the credit card division of U.S. financial services
giant
JPMorgan Chase & Co., reportedly plans to hire about 100 Ottawa area
employees
in 2007 to support its Canadian credit card business. The company will open
positions in customer service, collections, fraud operations and credit authorization.
Chase Card Services issues the Sears Card and Sears MasterCard for Sears
Canada
Inc., and the Marriott Rewards Card (Globe and Mail, Business, January
17, 2007.) In December 2006, Chase announced its first new payment product
launch in Canada, and the first time the Marriott Rewards Platinum Visa is
available to Canadian consumers. Read more: www.jpmorganchase.com
MAGAZINES UNIVERSITY 2007
Save the date! June 4, 5, 6, The Old Mill Inn & Spa, Toronto. Reserve
the dates now for Canada’s premier magazine industry conference and
trade show. The NAMMU Publications Mail Council and VAM Council will shortly
advise their plans for this year’s trade show, including industry education
opportunities. Any NAMMU member is welcome to supply advertising material
for the NAMMU booth.
NAMMU MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PROGRAM
NAMMU members are saying “thanks” for the early payment discount
by sending in their renewals in record time. It pays to be a NAMMU member.
Know someone who needs to join: membership@nammu.org
