Recent News
Changes at Post Office Affect Direct Mail
postage, direct mail, advertising, transpromo,
Changes at the Post Office Affect Direct Mail
Effective this week, businesses mailing First–Class Mail automation, presort letters using “2nd Ounce Free” pricing can mail letters weighing up to 2 ounces at the 1-ounce postage rate. First-class Mail automation, pre-sort letters are primarily generated by commercial mailers of bills and statements or transaction mail.
This program does NOT apply to single-piece letters mailed by consumers.
Facts from the USPS:
New Postage rates effective January 22!
postage, presort,
USPS Stamp Increase to $0.45 in 2012 If you haven’t already heard, the price of sending a letter is going up. Starting Sunday, January 22, 2012, it will cost you $0.45 cents to send a first-class letter.
There's good news for mailers of 2 ounce mail-pieces using Presort First Class, the second ounce presorted mail-pieces will actually be FREE.
USPS Notice to PRC Requesting Changes to Service Standards
First Class and Periodicals affected
December 5, 2011, PostalReporter News Blog
Excerpts from USPS filing to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) requesting an advisory opinion regarding service standards. USPS received 4,200 comments from its Federal Register notice in September 2011.
Industry Alert - Mail Transport Equipment Shortages
USPS addressing Mailer frustrations with obtaining equipment
Industry Alert, United States Postal Service
October 19, 2011
We acknowledge and understand your frustration with the Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) issues you have shared with us over the last few weeks in certain pockets of the country. We will not bother you with the whys or reasons as you are more concerned with the how and when it will be fixed.
USPS Proposal for network and service standard changes
One-stop page to access information about the proposals
From Information for Mailers, USPS.com
On September 15, 2011, the Postal Service proposed sweeping changes to its massive nationwide infrastructure and adjustments to service standards. The proposals, if implemented, will affect nearly all mailers and mailing industry organizations.
This web page is intended to be a “one-stop shopping” location for interested mailers and members of the mailing industry to access information about the proposals. You’ll find links to relevant sites and documents, which will be updated as more information becomes available.
Joe DiMaggio to be on Forever Stamp in 2012
Part of the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star stamp collection
The “Yankee Clipper”, Joe DiMaggio, will be one of four players (others include Ted Williams, Willie Stargell and Larry Doby) to be released as a Forever Stamp in 2012.
Read more on Zell's Pinstripe Blog, September 12, 2011 at http://zellspinstripeblog.com/2011/09/12/usps-joe-dimaggio-to-be-on-forever-stamp-in-2012/
Donahoe: US mailing industry “too fragile” for major rate increase
The Postal Service is dropping its legal battle with regulators to force a 5.6% rate increase
The mail industry in the United States now appears to be “too fragile” for the US Postal Service to raise its postal rates by above-inflation amounts, US Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the latest quarterly meeting of the USPS with its major customers and industry associations, Donahoe declared that the Postal Service is dropping its legal battle with regulators to force a 5.6% rate increase.
Donahoe advised mailers that when it comes to future rate increases – the next one is likely to be January 22, 2012 – “plan
Integration of Direct Mail and Digital Media
Valpak Launches QR Code Campaign
LARGO, FL—Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, which specializes in local print and digital coupons, is launching a major initiative using Quick Response (QR) codes. Over the course of two months, Valpak will mail to more than 80 million households with QR codes on the outside of the envelope and on individual inserts.
“This huge initiative is a great example of the power of print and digital working together," said Michael Vivio, president of Cox Target Media.
Postal Service Considers Cutting 120,000 Jobs
Facing a second year of losses totaling $8 billion or more
The financially strapped U.S. Postal Service is considering cutting as many as 120,000 jobs.
Facing a second year of losses totaling $8 billion or more, the agency also wants to pull its workers out of the retirement and health benefits plans covering federal workers and set up its own benefit systems.
