FRIDAY MAY 23, 2003

CFSON: FINANCIAL SECTOR INITIATIVE GAINS GROUND

The Consumers Financial Services OmbudsNetwork aims to focus and resolve disputes between consumers and their financial institutions. Launched in 2002, CFSON is the result of an initiative by six of Canadas major financial industry associations - the Canadian Bankers Association; the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association; the Insurance Bureau of Canada; the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, the Investment Funds Institute of Canada; the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada and the success rate is growing. There is no cost for a consumer to file a complaint, everything is paid for by the member organization. Recently quoted in the Montreal Gazette, both Manny DaSilva (CFSON National director) and Anna Larson (Director of Public Affairs and Communications) stress we expect companies to comply with the (CFSON) recommendations.The initiative has teeth: the names of companies that do not accept CFSON recommendations are made public. Read more: www.cfson-crcsf.ca

NAMMU TORONTO CHAPTER: STAYING AHEAD OF CONSUMER DEMANDS

Many new consumer driven demands face business today: privacy, security, new business models for effective dispute resolution, heightened fraud prevention. Expectations are high and business needs to meet and benefit from staying ahead of the demand curve. The Toronto chapter agenda for June 19, Sheraton Centre (Downtown) will feature a diverse panel of experts speaking to these new expectations, their business models, best practices for your organization.

Speakers to date include Anna Larson, Director of Public Affairs, CFSON; Kevin Bell, President, yourprivacy.ca - a victim of identity theft driving his initiative of an increasingly successful consumer paidopt out program; Detective Bruce Lemke, Fraud, Peel Regional Police on mail fraud: perpetrators, consumer impact, business best practices. Registration and information: NAMMU@SYMPATICO.CA

US PMG TO MAILERS: I WILL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW

During the opening session of the U.S. National Postal Forum, Postmaster General John E. Potter told the attendees: Now is the time to revitalize the mailing industry. Now is the time to modernize the Postal Service. And now is the time for us to work together to make the most of a long period of postage rates stability.(PostCom Bulletin 15-03).
He followed that with a pledge to the mailing industry, You have my commitment that I will do anything within my power to help you help your business grow.

The PMGs remarks on growing the business, included quotes from industry leaders, that apparently resonated with his own conclusions: The Postal Service needs industrys help to grow its business and move forward.

MAILERWATCH: RETURN TO SENDER PIECES COULD SOAR

NAMMU urges mailers to report any significant increase in undeliverablemail. This alarm is being sounded at roughly the point in time when the new COAN (change of address notification) forms six month forwarding period expires. Unless the consumer has paid to extend the forwarding period, theoretically mail is returned to sender. It is likely this policy could be interpreted differently across Canada and practical implementation will be uneven, if at all. Before September 2002 (January 2002-July 2003), the opt outrate was 0.1%, August 2002 climbed to 4.0% (the new COAN was implemented in the last week of August). From September 2002 at 67% to April 2003 at 68%, the staggering opt outrate resulted in costly forwarding by Canada Post. If the undeliverable policy is implemented, it will result in even more costly return to senderaction costly to Canada Post, and even more costly to unsuspecting mailers who did not know their mail was being forwarded.

NAMMU has been working closely with the Address Management team at Canada Post to develop and implement new initiatives, to ensure business can continue to do business seamlessly with its customers through the mail. Several proposals are on the table, although the original proposal for simple COAN word modification was rejected because it did not meet the spirit of Canada Posts commitment to the Privacy Commissioner. While the other remedial avenues are being explored, NAMMU has urged Canada Post to commit to eternal forwarding. Citing this as a ..good faith initiative to promote the use of mail for postal commerce, NAMMU President Kathleen Rowe expects success to come from a joint postal-mailing industry collaboration. Report undeliverables: ROWE@THEKMRGROUP.COM

The sudden, recent passing of Dave Taylor has left the direct marketing world reeling. Daves immediate family: Carol, Allison and Colin were buoyed by his extended industry family, as friends and colleagues paid their respects at a service packed to overflowing. Stunned by the loss of a mentor, friend and direct marketing genius, colleagues grieve with Daves family. A man driven by passion for excellence in his work, his enjoyment of family and friendships, his personal pursuits of mentoring and golf, Dave had a huge impact on business and people. We mourn his loss and celebrate his life.