Quad/Graphics acquires Williamson Printing Corporation
Printer Quad/Graphics announced on Feb. 1 that it acquired Williamson Printing Corporation, a 128-year-old printer that specializes in short- to medium-run catalogs, books, direct mail and promotional products.

USPS to propose repeat mobile barcode promo
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is, for the second year, planning a summertime promotion for direct mailers that use two-dimensional barcodes, USPS VP of domestic products Gary Reblin told Direct Marketing News on Jan. 31.

USPS offers commercial mailers a free ounce for promo inserts
In response to feedback from the mailing industry, businesses mailing automated or presort letters first-class can now mail letters weighing up to two ounces at the one-ounce postage rate, said U.S. Postal Service (USPS) spokesperson Patricia Licata on Jan. 26. The "2nd Ounce Free" initiative became effective this week.

Kodak files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Eastman Kodak and its U.S.-based subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 19, as the company attempts to stay solvent and shift its core business from photography to digital printing.

Direct mailers no longer need to prepay postage
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been granted permission by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to allow direct mailers to pay postage via credit rather than requiring prepayment, said PRC chairman Ruth Goldway on Jan. 6. The new rules went into effect Jan. 5.

Glean customer data pool for marketing intelligence
With 2012 approaching, there is a single, inescapable trend that we are seeing, no matter the marketing channel: big data.

Political marketers gear up for the 2012 season with interactive direct mail tools
The 2012 campaign season is already heating up, and while politicians will be buzzing about their social media and digital marketing tactics, direct mail is a stalwart for political campaign marketing that isn't going anywhere.

Q&A: Diane Berry, SVP, Coveo
Diane Berry, SVP of Coveo, discusses how companies can use customer data to align service, sales and marketing.

Accurate consumer data drives effective marketing
Direct marketers are able to personalize consumer experiences across multiple touchpoints with the advent of digital marketing and new software packages. Customers who visit a website, for example, experience a personalized encounter that assembles the Web page relevant to the customer's relationship.

Track bottom line impact with ad call measurement
Marketers rely on direct response consumer data to make strategic business decisions, and the explosion of media options has only increased the importance of measuring the quality of advertising results.