MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 2004

AFTERBUZZ – ANTICIPATION

Talk around the water cooler is still spiked with chat about the NAMMU 2004 Mailing Industry Awards: THE FINAL CUT. Latest in: Chris Goward, BLITZ Direct, Data & Promotion (Vancouver), recently re-presented the NAMMU Multi-Media category award to the delighted client, Carolin Taubensee, Advertising Manager, Manitoba Telecom Services, Inc. (MTS), at the BLITZ client event in Vancouver. Click here to view.

The strategy for the winning MTS Fall 03 Direct Mail Campaign was simple: brilliant creative, special incentives, outbound text messaging and inbound voice messages reinforced and reminded the customer after the initial mailing. Outstanding results for an outstanding campaign!

And the addition of the International Category to the NAMMU Mailing Industry Awards lineup is also a clear winner: The quality of the entries proved it, and the sponsor for this inaugural year for International is clear about meeting business objectives. According to Laura Artibello, President, Mailennium Group: “At Mailennium we value the cross-border business relationship. Our International colleagues have largely supported our expansion and strength, and we believe mutual trust and basic understanding are key to dynamic growth. It’s great to be able to celebrate our mutual progress.” The winners tied for the 2004 Award: Joys of Driving – Nissan, The Marketing Store; The Body Holiday’s Guest Relationship Marketing, Stewart Consulting Group.

Anticipation of the NAMMU 2005 Mailing Industry Awards is already evident, and the pre-work is underway: the judging group will complete the category and submission form assessments and recommendations by mid-February, several agencies and previous entrants will contribute to an evaluation of the entry submission process. The call for entry information kit is scheduled for release in early June 2005. Many sponsors have already renewed support for the popular industry event. Want to be part of the 2005 event team? topten@nammu.org

CPA APPROVES NEW CHEQUE SPECS

The Canadian Payment Association (CPA) recently approved new specifications for a Canadian cheque format that will pave the way for modernizing Canada’s cheque clearing system through a transition to image-based clearing. Rather than physical transportation of paper, the new cheque specifications will permit a clear, legible image of any cheque to be transmitted electronically. Broad consultation was held with financial institutions and other stakeholders, including software developers. Specifications will be available on the CPA website January 5th, and target date for conversion is December 2006. www.cdnpay.ca CPA continues to seek business impact. Once you view the new cheque format specifications, questions can be directed to: Canadian Payments Association on standards; new cheque development: Quality Assurance Division of your financial institution. Your comments are also welcome at: executive@nammu.org

REMINDER – ADDRESS ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS

Canada Post advises the transition period for Address Accuracy ends on December 31, 2004. Mailers are being advised to run their files through AA in advance of this date to ensure they have a new Statement of Accuracy for mailings in 2005. An out of date Statement of Accuracy will result in a rate “adjustment” applicable to the volume and product.

CPC WORKSHOP SUMMARIES

Canada Post will be providing participants in the two workshops held mid-November at Gateway Mississauga with an executive summary of the key issues raised at their own sessions. The output from these sessions is considered directional in nature and will be taken into account with CSI and other of the Corporation’s information sources and plans, when pulled together for senior executive at Canada Post. Next steps include identification of those issues where Canada Post thinks it can move forward with various stakeholders, followed by an action plan.

NO SPECS YET

No specifications have been decided by Canada Post for the High and Low Density Lettermail products - no changes to specifications will be implemented for January 17th.

UNADDRESSED MAILERS SUPPORT NAMMU STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

The highly effective NAMMU initiatives to focus scrutiny on the rate setting process for Exclusive Privilege products, as part of the larger initiative to positively impact the Policy Framework, has been well supported by users of these products, as well as the competitive products such as Unaddressed Admail. Support for the ongoing, positive approach of NAMMU to improve and enlarge the marketplace for Canada Post and the Canadian mailing industry, will continue to be evident in the Phase Two report on CANADA POST AND THE MAILING INDUSTRY: RESHAPING THE NEW BUSINESS MODEL due out this winter. Impact of the current Policy Framework is being assessed from a number of vantage points with the objective of improving and harmonizing the strategic and tactical plans of the mailing industry with its main distribution supplier, Canada Post. Input is being sought from all user and supplier sectors, and an examination of the processes for dealing with the Unaddressed Admail users, is included in the list of priorities