WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2004

A CUT ABOVE
The NAMMU Mailing Industry Awards that captivated the industry with the launch in 2003, firmly took hold for the long run at the 2004 Awards event, October 27th at C-Lounge. Nancy Lee Jobin, Awards Event Committee Chairman and President, Graffiti Direct & Interactive kicked off the red carpet evening: “It’s been an amazing experience to see all your creative work and new levels of quality and originality. And tonight, we will show you that it really is…all about you!”

The NAMMU 2004 Mailing Industry Awards: THE FINAL CUT was more than just a party. It was a party with a purpose: to recognize and honor the best creative and execution through the dominant use of the mail channel. The panel of expert judges brings depth and breadth of experience to the table and their selections give serious credence and value to the awards. MC Alan Brodeur, Vice-President, Mandrake, acknowledged this important contribution in his opening remarks, thanking fellow judges: Tony Keenan, SBS Sears Business Solutions (Head Judge); Brian Broadway, Professor of Marketing, Seneca College; Bob Kesner, President, Evergreen Direct; Emma Warrillow, President, Emma Warrillow & Associates; James Johnson, International Direct Marketing Guru; John Stevenson, Director of Marketing & Communications for Christian Children’s Fund.

Congratulations to all those whose campaigns made THE FINAL CUT, and thank you to everyone who entered, and supported the event through sponsorship. See you in 2005!

NAMMU thanks all those who contributed to the success of this event:
Creative Partner & Event Execution: Graffiti Direct & Interactive
Media Partner: DMN direct marketing news
Communication Fulfillment Partner: Wood & Associates Direct Marketing Services
Sponsorship: The LGR Group

Click here for THE FINAL CUT Winners & Photo Album
Click here for EVENT SPONSORS

INTERNATIONAL CLARIFICATION
Mailers contacting NAMMU concerned over recent USPS announcements about holdups of mail destined for Canada, have been reassured that the normal precautions for complete return and delivery address are in place for goods i.e. packages, and these requirements do not impact CCRA (Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) handling of business or personal letter mail. Canada Post has confirmed it will not change its specifications concerning address requirements for these items.

For the last month, Canada Post has dedicated a team to work with CCRA on clearing backlogged package items, particularly in Vancouver. One report indicated it was taking up to five weeks for parcels to clear Customs. Only then can the parcels enter the Canada Post mail stream for delivery. As of today, CCRA confirms the situation is “virtually current” at the main gateways of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

Canada Post has also advised NAMMU of an important concession for mailers not wishing to use the term “Non-Priority” on International standard incentive letterpost. A communication has been sent to the RVU’s indicating that SURFACE can be used as the product service indicator.

BASSETT DIRECT – 10th ANNIVERSARY
To celebrate 10 years of serving the needs of the direct marketing industry, Bassett Direct recently announced equipment acquisitions and issued an open invitation for customers to view their new technology. The Bassett announcement highlighted the acquisition of the latest in variable four color digital technology, two high speed digital color production printers are being added to the complement of one color laser printers, ideally suited to the growing demands of “print on demand” and variable imaging markets. Lettershop capacity is also being increased with the addition of a twelve station Intelligent Inserting System.

LAST GASP OF SUMMER
“It never rains on the Montreal Chapter Golf Tournament.” declared Jean Gaumond, Montreal Chapter Director and Event Chairman. And he was right – the 13th Annual Montreal Tournament was a fun-filled day, September 17th. The winning threesome:
Mike Zappavigna (Pitney Bowes); Claire Beliveau (Vestcom); Kevin Keegan (Standard Life). Click here for photo

The foursome that got the most strokes for their money: Monique Bourbonnais (Gaz Metro); Josee Arsenault (Videotron); Martin Legault (Vestcom); Jean Carrier (Canada Post). Click here for photo

With thanks to the Organizing Committee: Daniele Gregoire, Monique Bourbonnais, Jean Carrier, Jean Gaumond, Martin Legault, Richard Saucisse.

Event Sponsors: Canada Post; Bell Canada; Bowe Bell & Howell; Deutsche Post; Data Business Forms; Gaz Metro; Hydro-Quebec; Imprimerie Bourdeau; Imprimerie Gari; Intria; Intelcom; Key Mail; The KMR Group; Hbc; MailNet; Neopost; Objectif Lune; Pitney Bowes; Postel; PRISM; Progistix; Quebec Loisirs; Supremex; Vestcom; Xerox.