Direct Mail

Predictions, speculations and forecasts were the hot topics of the year. With the United States’ success at the summer Olympics, a pivotal presidential election and Hurricane Sandy’s disastrous effects, the United States had its fair share of ground-breaking headlines.

Customer communications solutions experts, Pitney Bowes, opened its new Global Mailing Solutions European headquarters in Hatfield Business Park, marking the end of an era for the head office’s old location in Harlow, where the company was based since 1963.

Emboldened by rapid growth in e-commerce shipping, the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service is moving aggressively this holiday season to start a premium service for the Internet shopper seeking the instant gratification of a store purchase: same-day package delivery.

Teaming up with major retailers, the post office will begin the expedited service in San Francisco on December 12 at a price similar to its competitors. If things run smoothly, the program will quickly expand next year to other big cities such as Boston, Chicago and New York.

Pitney Bowes Inc. announced its support of The Non-Violence Project Foundation to help foster a climate of safe learning in schools by educating teachers on how to help build self-esteem in students and inspire, motivate and engage youth in solving conflicts peacefully.

The U.S. Postal Service ended the 2012 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2012) with a record net loss of $15.9 billion, compared to a net loss of $5.1 billion for the same period last year.

The results of Print+Promo's 2012 top suppliers list taught us to anticipate the unexpected. We saw positive and negative changes alike.

Chicago-based InnerWorkings Inc., a leading global marketing supply chain company, has expanded its multi-year enterprise print management relationship with a major U.S. grocery retailer.

Snail mail prices are creeping up.

Starting January 27, the price of a first-class stamp will increase one cent to 46 cents, the Postal Service announced Thursday. Postcard postage will rise one cent as well, to 33 cents.

At the end of this month, the U.S. Postal Service takes another step toward insolvency.

On Sunday, the service is required by law to pay the federal government $5.6 billion to fund health care benefits for retirees. But it won't do it, because it doesn't have the money. It will be the second time that the service has defaulted on a payment, the first occurring on Aug. 1.

If election season has taught us one thing, it's that designing a political campaign budget is easy.