WEDNESDAY APRIL 25, 2007

VIRTUAL PRESENCE PAYS OFF
According to an article in ENTREPRENEUR (see Paul Brent, National Post, April 16) Canadian entrepreneurs who resist a bricks and mortar presence in the United States, and operate from a Canadian manufacturing base are optimizing chances for success. One of these success stories is Mississauga based specialty printer Brochure Place Inc. A virtual Internet-based company, Brochure Place attributes 90 per cent of its annual sales to the U.S. market. President and CEO, Richard Burke, says his print is usually cheaper for these clients, even taking the cost of shipping into account. Although the competitive advantage of a weak Canadian dollar has disappeared, Brochure Place has survived by increasing efficiencies and boosting order volumes, along with economical trans border shipping costs. Read more – click here:

MORE MAGAZINE DOUBLES ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBER FORECAST
Transcontinental Media celebrated the official launch of the Canadian edition of MORE amid predictions that subscriber copies will likely reach 80,000, almost double the 43,500 originally forecast. Available on newsstands, a total of 125,000 copies were printed. MORE targets the 40+ female demographic. Its U.S. version has tripled its circulation since Meredith Corporation launched it in 1998, and was named 2006 “Magazine of the Year” by ADVERTISING AGE. Transcontinental announced its exclusive, multi-year licensing agreement with Meredith in May 2006. MORE brings Transcontinental Media’s magazine total to 44, including 29 titles in its consumer magazine portfolio.

Isabelle Marcoux, Vice President of Corporate Development, and leader of the Corporation’s merger and acquisition activities, including partnerships such as that with Meredith Corporation, was recently announced as Vice Chair of the Board, Transcontinental Inc.

REMINDER AND INCENTIVE FOR METER USERS
Canada Post is issuing reminders to customers about the June 30, 2007 deadline for fully compliant meters, as well as offering an opportunity to win $1,000 in meter postage. All compliant meter users are also granted a reduced rate for the eight USA and International Letter-post price points for items over 30 grams until the implementation of the next rate action, currently scheduled for January 14, 2008. Learn more: Customer Letter #1, Customer Letter #2

NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT RATIFIED
By a vote of 65.6 per cent, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have endorsed the tentative collective agreement reached February 8 with Canada Post Corporation. The new agreement will be in place until January 31, 2011. There are approximately 50,000 employees represented by CUPW who are responsible for the collection, processing and delivery of mail in mostly urban centres across Canada. A separate bargaining unit is responsible for delivery in rural Canada. In the media release, Moya Greene, President and CEO, Canada Post Corporation, recognized the professional and business-like approach adopted by the negotiating teams throughout the bargaining process. Speaking on behalf of the NAMMU membership, President Kathleen Rowe, stated: “This contract negotiation signals a maturity and commitment to business growth welcomed by the Canadian mailing industry as a true business enabler.” Read More:
 

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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.