MONDAY MARCH 26, 2007

BUSINESS GETS A BREAK
The Canadian manufacturing and processing sector got some relief in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s recent budget announcement. The temporary introduction of a two-year write-off on investments in equipment and machinery gives some relief to this sector, hit in recent years by the impact of a high Canadian dollar, higher energy costs, and greater foreign competition. Corporate tax cuts were also improved - the tax rate on new business investment will be 28.8 per cent by 2011. Learn more: click here

ENGINE ROOM TAPPED FOR MAIL MARKETING AWARDS
DMAT Springboard participants were the first to know creative pick and entry timings for the 2007 NAMMU mailing industry awards, the awards that celebrate excellence in marketing through the medium of mail. In the preview announcement, NAMMU President, Kathleen Rowe, said: “The selection of Andy Sookrah and the Engine Room Creative team, signals the quality associated with the mail marketing awards, and our intention to raise the profile of both the awards and the event at which we recognize mail marketing excellence.” According to Rowe, Engine Room Creative is designing a campaign “to appeal to the best, the brightest, and most successful campaign creators. We expect to hit a whole new level of achievement in this fifth year.”

Andy Sookrah, President and Creative Director, and now creative strategist for the 2007 awards, noted: “Why did I accept the NAMMU challenge? I am extremely excited about the unique approach of these awards, recognizing ALL of the contributors to a mail marketing campaign’s success: strategic thinking, data work, creative presentation, production and teamwork.” DMAT President, Alan Brodeur, commented: “Springboard participants are the first to know any details of this important DIRECT event.” DMAT Springboard is the Direct Conference, held March 21 at the MaRS Centre, and featured top names in Direct, including Canada Post SVP, Direct Marketing, Advertising & Publishing Business, Laurene Cihosky. For 2007 Awards Information: click here:

THE FUTURE OF PUBLISHING – 2007 MAGS UNIVERSITY
Isabelle Marcoux, Vice-President of Corporate Development, Transcontinental Inc., will share her thoughts with MAGS U participants, discussing trends and opportunities in the publishing industry, as the luncheon keynote speaker, June 6. An influential look at the future of publishing from someone who is helping to shape it. Don Tapscott, internationally renowned authority and thought-leader on the strategic value and impact of information technology, will keynote the June 5 luncheon. Tapscott will expand on how the concepts in his latest publication “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything” define the profound impact this phenomena is having on the magazine publishing world.

Meet and greet the NAMMU Publications Mail council representatives at the NAMMU booth in the Masthead Exhibit Hall. Mail Questions: Stop by the MAIL CLINIC – NAMMU expert Publications Mail Docs are “in” to answer your questions. The 2007 MAGS UNIVERSITY and Masthead Exhibition take place June 4-6, The Old Mill Inn.
Learn more: www.MagsU.com

EST UPDATE FOR UNADDRESSED ADMAIL
Canada Post is introducing enhancements to the Unaddressed Admail order creation process based on customer feedback, effective April 16. Designed to enhance flexibility, these changes include the ability to create a new mailing plan from a previous order; access improved functionality to import and export mailing information from one system to another; print Admail Delivery Slips and Container Labels before the order is transmitted to Canada Post. Full descriptions of changes and enhancements are in a brochure mailed to clients this month. Learn more: click here and here.

SYMANTEC RELEASES INTERNET SECURITY REPORT
The semi-annual Symantec Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR) released this month, covering the period from July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006, provides enhanced insight for business into the evolving threat landscape. Several new metrics have been added, such as the window of exposure for Web browsers and the proportion of previously unseen malicious code. The report reveals threats to confidential information are on the rise, and estimates 51 per cent of all known underground economy servers in the world are located in the United States. U.S.- based credit cards with a card verification number were available for between US$1-$6, while an identity, including a U.S. bank account, credit card, date of birth and government issued identification number, was available for between US$14-$18. Learn more: www.symantec.com

TELUS ENCOURAGES PAPERLESS BILLING
TELUS will plant a tree for every wireless customer who signs up for online billing and cancels their paper bill, according to their recent announcement. In 2001, TELUS launched the Paperless Office initiative, ebill, and purchased duplex printers for double-sided printing of customer bills and other materials. Whenever possible, TELUS chooses recyclable and recycled paper, paper from Forest Stewardship Council certified forests, and paper that is “Elemental Chlorine Free” for use in its direct marketing efforts. TELUS will also plant a tree for anyone who comes into a TELUS store or authorized dealer before May 30 with the company’s weekend newspaper insert. Learn more: www.telusquebec.com

TWO VOTES FOR CUPW MEMBERS
The National Executive Board (NEB) of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has voted unanimously to hold a strike vote at the same time as the ratification vote on the tentative collective agreement. The NEB recommended acceptance of the agreement, although not unanimously. It is important to note this does not mean the Union will strike, it is a precautionary vote in case the agreement is not ratified. In the timetable set by the Canada Labour Code, the law gives the union the right to strike and the employer the right to lock out, 21 days after the Conciliation Officers have reported or sixty days plus 21 days after the January 26, 2007 conciliation process start. The right to strike or lockout would be April 18, although the parties are apparently in agreement to an April 22 extension, the close of the ratification vote. Favorably received by a majority of the CUPW membership, the collective agreement would be in force until January 31, 2011.

In other labor news, the Private Members’ Bill making it illegal for federally regulated organizations to use replacement workers during a strike or lockout was defeated earlier this month. Bill C-257 was a proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code with respect to the use of replacement workers. (See eView Members’ Bulletin for background.) NAMMU members are being kept up to date on issues attached to recently publicized reports on privatization for Canada Post, through the national executive. Postal Disruption Task Forces are Chapter related and issues are dealt with at Chapter meetings and specially convened members only sessions. No sessions are scheduled.
 

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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.