THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2008

POSTNET AND CANADA POST ANNOUNCE CHANNEL PARTNERSHIP
Effective January 21, 2008, Canada Post authorized business centres are being established in PostNet stores offering a complete selection of Canada Post’s shipping services. In the $5.6 billion market for shipping and courier services, PostNet provides a complete printing and shipping service to small and medium-size business. End-to-end services include: in-house graphic design, digital printing, copying, packaging, and courier service. With the addition of the Canada Post relationship, PostNet now has vast mailing and shipping methods at its disposal. PostNet plans to expand to more than 300 franchisees across the country. According to Louis O’Brien, Senior Vice-President, Canada Post Parcels, “Canada Post believes the result will be significant new revenue growth for both companies, a stronger presence in the small business market, and most importantly, better served Canadian small business customers.”

PostNet announced earlier it would would team up with Purolator, to offer shipping services in all Canadian PostNet stores as of October 1, 2007. R. J. Anderson, President Myles Franchise Corporation, the Canadian master franchisor of PostNet Canada, noted that having Purolator’s domestic and and international services available at all Canadian locations, will strengthen PostNet’s position. Learn more: www.postnet.ca

NEW SPECS FOR COUPONS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES
The Canadian Payments Association (CPA) has published new specifications for gift certificates and coupons that are processed through the clearing system. The new requirements are designed to make these items “image friendly” in preparation for the transition to image-based clearing. The specifications apply to coupons and gift certificates that are deposited at financial institutions. Many of the requirements for these items are similar to the specifications for “image friendly” cheques. Businesses that issue these types of coupons and certificates are strongly encouraged to adopt the new specifications for their next printing. A grace period for old format items is in effect until September 2, 2008. Any items printed after that date must comply with the requirements in Standard 006. Learn more: www.cdnpay.ca

The CPA has also introduced a grace period for “old format” business cheques until September 2, 2008. This extended transition period is to allow businesses to use up their existing supply of cheques and to make any necessary software changes.

MEYERCORD TO LEAD RODALE INTERNATIONAL
Rodale announced the appointment of Michelle Meyercord to Vice-President and Director of Rodale International. In this newly expanded role, Meyercord will be responsible for all aspects of Rodale International’s efforts, including editorial, global business development, and marketing. Since joining Rodale in 2002, Meyercord has spearheaded Rodale International’s development efforts with over 20 editions and 10 new markets. In 2007 Rodale’s expansion efforts included online development in key markets, new markets for Men’s Health, Runner’s World, and Prevention, and the launch plans for Women’s Health worldwide, starting with Australia and Latin America.

DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM
The misuse and mishandling of personal data is an increasing threat to the privacy of Canadians, Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart warned as countries around the world marked Data Privacy Day, January 28. “We have seen a proliferation of identity theft and spam as well as a tripling of reported data breaches around the world last year,” says Stoddart. The Privacy commissioner has been pressing the federal government to update the law to make it mandatory for businesses to notify people whose personal information has been compromised by a data breach. Industry Canada is in the midst of consultations on breach notification. Stoddart is also concerned that a significant number of businesses in Canada have yet to live up to their legal responsibilities to protect personal data. A poll Conducted for the Office of the Privacy commissioner found almost one third of businesses reported they had not fully implemented the provisions of Canada’s private-sector privacy legislation. Learn more: www.privacyassociation.org

GREEN PAPER MILLS BUOYED BY SALES
A new report released February 7, 2008 at Paper Week, by environmental publishing organization Markets Initiative, shows Canada’s printing, newspaper, book and magazine sectors – worth $19 billion per year – made major environmental headway in 2007, despite difficult economic conditions for Canada’s paper mills. More than 520 Canadian book publishers, magazines, newspapers and printers now have Ancient Forest Friendlytm or eco-paper purchasing policies in place, up from 172 in 2007. Meeting this increased market, 17 additional eco-papers were available to publishers in 2007. While most paper producers faced record losses and mill closures in 2007, green paper mills fared well with increased sales and market access. Reportedly, Cascades Fine Paper saw a 235 per cent jump in the sales of their 100 per cent recycled paper. Sales for Domtar Inc’s FSC paper doubled.

New polling unveiled in the report shows these initiatives are greatly supported by Canadian consumers. Ninety-five per cent of Canadians say an environmental policy and progress toward meeting its targets are important benchmarks of a publishing company’s environmental integrity. Nicole Rycroft, executive director of Markets Initiative, added that environmental leadership had been strong, but companies must make concrete environmental actions to gain consumer trust. The report found 78 per cent of Canadians believe companies are marketing themselves to be greener than they really are in practice. As part of its recommendations, Markets Initiative cautions companies building green brands not to underestimate the ramifications of greenwashing to an increasingly informed and savvy consumer base. Learn more: www.marketsinitiative.org

NAMMU WILL HOST MAIL CLINIC AT MAGS U 2008
NAMMU will once again host the popular Masthead MAIL CLINIC, June 2-3, The Old Mill Inn. The DOC’s – all mail experts from the NAMMU Publications Mail Council and VAM Council – will share their expertise and dispense free assistance at the MAIL CLINIC booth, in the Masthead Exhibit Hall, throughout 2008 Magazines University. Actively supporting our publishing sector membership, NAMMU will also host Booth 113, the usual NAMMU gathering spot, and display service for NAMMU members. Any NAMMU member wishing to display corporate or sales material at this booth is welcome to do so. Contact: executive@nammu.org Learn more about 2008 MAGS UNIVERSITY: www.masthead.ca