MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2006

DESTINATION CANADA
Canadian mail marketers, creative resources and supplier infrastructure rank with the best on the global stage. DESTINATION CANADA, the NAMMU program that showcases Canadian talent to the world, will add the DMA conference and trade show to the 2006 calendar. Launched in 2003, this Canadian mailing industry business growth initiative is a proven success in the two formats established to date: as a workshop, as well as a trade show attraction. The postal channel is under utilized in Canada for marketing, particularly in comparison to the United States. It makes sense to seek opportunities at the DMA on a global basis, with heavy emphasis on activities with the U.S.A.

DESTINATION CANADA de-mystifies the Canadian marketplace and encourages the use of the mail channel for postal commerce. Interactive workshop talking points include: the marketplace (population, economic indicators, business outlook); key issues (privacy, list availability, emerging trends); Canadian creative resources (agencies, winning approaches by market segment); the postal business environment (postal rates and requirements); Canadian supplier infrastructure and capabilities. The differentiating factor of Destination Canada to other programs is that it enlarges the scope of business opportunities for the mailing industry by promoting the use of the entire Canadian supplier infrastructure, creative through fulfillment, in Canada and the world market. For sponsorship and other event opportunities contact: sponsorship@nammu.org The DMA runs October 14-18 in San Francisco.

SUPREMEX CONVERSION
Supremex Inc. has announced it will convert itself into Supremex Income Fund. The Montreal-based company has reportedly filed with regulators across Canada to sell units in the newly created fund. Supremex manufactures and markets stock and custom envelopes at 13 facilities with 750 employees. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Supremex Inc.: learn more, click here.

CVI REPLACES CSI
Canada Post replaced the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) with a Customer Value Index (CVI) as of January 1. The CVI will now be the Corporation’s customer measurement scale and will be a component in Corporate Team Incentive. For the CVI, customers are asked three questions: how they rate Canada Post’s overall quality, its overall value, and how likely they are to recommend the Corporation. Customers who respond with a score of 9 or 10 on all three questions are considered loyal. The percentage of loyal customers forms the CVI score. During 2006, the CVI will measure two major business lines, Admail and Parcels, with a corporate goal of increasing scores from 11 to 13.5 for Admail, and from 21 to 23.5 for Parcels. Later in 2006, a CVI target will be introduced for Lettermail. (Performance Jan/Feb 2006)

Toronto Chapter members raised a number of questions about this new index at their recent meeting, and Craig Porter (Mackenzie Financial), Toronto Chapter Director, will likely ask for a presentation and update at the next chapter meeting scheduled for April 27.

CANADIAN TIRE POISED FOR EXPANSION
The Toronto-based retailer announced this month it would “ramp up” expansion in 2006 to kick revenue and earnings into high gear. Capital expenditures are anticipated to be in excess of $500 million in 2006, with the lion’s share earmarked for Canadian Tire Retail’s accelerated rollout of its “Concept 20/20” store format.

Canadian Tire is also reportedly mulling a significant investment increase for its financial services division to develop and market new products and services. Marco Marrone, formerly chief operating officer of Canadian Tire Bank, will replace retiring Tom Gauld as president of Canadian Tire Financial Services in March.

IT PAYS TO BE A NAMMU SPONSOR
Support mailing industry initiatives, create goodwill, raise the profile of your brand with existing and new customers. Contact sponsorship@nammu.org for 2006 opportunities in corporate and event sponsorship.

IT PAYS TO BE A NAMMU MEMBER
NAMMU delivers leadership, education and a platform for industry discussion, networking and influence. Know someone who needs to be a NAMMU member? Contact 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.