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

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eView is the electronic bulletin of the National Association of Major Mail Users highlighting issues of interest to business mail communication and delivery professionals. Content: KMR Group. The information contained in eView is obtained from various sources and believed to be reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed.