TUESDAY JULY 11, 2006

CALL FOR ENTRY:2006 MAILING INDUSTRY AWARDS
Enter your best mail now in the 2006 NAMMU Mailing Industry Awards, Canada’s only awards program dedicated exclusively to recognizing excellence in marketing through the medium of mail. Put your best work – and team - on the radar. If you’ve got a mail success story to tell, we want to help you spread the word. Click here to view last year’s winners.

The judges have made it easier than ever to enter, with a new, easy to complete entry form: Try it yourself: click here to view entry form
Don’t miss your chance to shine, there are over 90 awards to be won. Prestige and recognition could be just a step away. To win, you have to enter!

EARLY BIRD BONUS: Enter your campaigns by the Early Bird Closing of July 28, and save $50. per entry. The premier networking and awards event of the mailing industry is November 1, at the Design Exchange. Enter your best mail today! Click here for more awards information. Questions: topten@nammu.org

TRANSCONTINENTAL APPOINTS MEDIA PRESIDENT
Luc Desjardins, President and CEO, Transcontinental Inc., announces the appointment of Natalie Lariviere, as President of Transcontinental Media, effective August 7. Transcontinental Media comprises the magazine and newspaper publishing operations of Transcontinental Inc., as well as door-to-door distribution of advertising material and digital media, and posted annual revenue of $555 million in 2005. Prior to joining Transcontinental, Lariviere was at Quebecor Media, where she was president and CEO of the Book Publishing Group, and president and CEO of Groupe Archambault Inc.

PUROLATOR UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
Purolator Courier Ltd., Canada’s largest overnight courier company, began construction July 6 on a 160,000-square foot, high- tech distribution centre in St. Laurent. The facility replaces two older distribution centres in St. Laurent and Dorval. Mississauga-based Purolator, 91 per cent owned by Canada Post, will open the new, state-of-the-art Quebec hub next July, and it will reportedly provide a platform for the next decade of growth. According to CEO Robert Johnson, “The Montreal hub represents Purolator’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Quebec. Through the investment being made in increasing current capacity and new technologies, we will continue to meet and exceed the customized distribution needs of our customers.” Read more: www.purolator.ca

LETTERMAIL SORTATION SOFTWARE GAPS
The NAMMU industry survey to focus on and prioritize any significant gaps between Lettermail sortation software capabilities and Canada Post requirements, is yielding some insight into the issues, from the mailers’ perspectives. A key finding is the mailers do not think software vendors can provide workable solutions for the gaps, usually identified by the RVU in terms of paperwork, or changes to RVU practices, resulting in need to change edge markings. A critical issue is that Canada Post requires documentation for each deposit, while the documentation is only available for the complete mailing. Multiple daily deposits are now the “norm” in the Lettermail sector, given that mailers want statements sent to their clients as soon as possible. Tray fill continues to be an irritant, even though the software decision rules align with reality and software has been certified by Canada Post. NEXT STEPS: NAMMU will convene a session to table, prioritize and resolve the “gaps” identified, in collaboration with Canada Post and vendors.

POSTAGE METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Canada Post has advised a number of times, it will be withdrawing approval of all postage meters which are not fully compliant with new high security digital indicia and product capture requirements by December 31, 2006. Most digital meters must have software or hardware upgrades to become fully compliant while others will need to be replaced. All electronic meters must be replaced. Mailers are urged to contact their supplier representative to review status of their meter, as well as fully compliant models and upgrades currently available. Please note that as of December 31, 2006, meter impressions from non-compliant models will not be recognized as valid postage. As models are approved, they will be added to the list on the Canada Post website: www.canadapost.ca