STAMFORD, CT, August 28, 2007 -- The Direct Marketing Association predicts that direct mail volume will grow 8.5 percent in 2007 alone.  It is one of the most used and most effective channels in B2B and B2C marketing campaigns.  This trend highlights an opportunity for traditional printers to expand into mailing services.  Since most print projects end up in the mail eventually, printers should explore how they may provide seamless end-to-end print and mail solutions for their customers.
As direct mail has become more sophisticated, so has the need for comprehensive  hardware and software solutions for print and mail operations.  Direct marketing projects are becoming more complex, highly targeted and personalized. In addition, these projects may be time-sensitive and geographically and demographically specific.  True one-to-one printing has moved from concept to reality and traditionally long print and mail runs are impacted. Marketers and others who invest in direct mail are selecting commercial printers, lettershops and direct mailers that can perform all of the services necessary to insure a campaign"s success.
For print service providers who are seeking to expand their services to include mailing operations, Pitney Bowes offers the following recommendations:
Focus investments on mail inserting systems based on a modular, scalable design. Many times these systems can be integrated within existing systems to leverage current capabilities and investments.
Invest in equipment and systems that are easy to use and flexible. Managing labor turnover and overall costs is key to operational efficiency and profitability.
Combine and streamline separate functions into a single in-line operation to dramatically reduce cycle time and costs.
"Beyond coupons and catalogs, marketers are harnessing the power of targeted  direct mail messaging to drive increased business results.  Our family of hardware and software solutions is designed to help each service provider create a winning formula with their own clients," said Kevin Marks, Vice President Tactical Marketing, Document Messaging Technologies. "Our theme of "Power Up your Mailstream" is about helping commercial printers, digital service print providers, lettershops and direct mailers grow their revenues and increase their profitability."
Kevin Marks is presenting The Printer"s Journey to Mailing at GraphExpo, Monday, September 10, 2007, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm at the Mail and Fulfillment Theatre located at Booth 3071.
In the Direct Mail portion of the Pitney Bowes booth at GraphExpo, the company will be demonstrating the new FlowMaster RS Flex with combination rotary and friction feeders, and the new FMI High Capacity Cut Sheet Feeder with accumulator, folder and camera scanning. Pitney Bowes mailstream solutions and Pitney Bowes Sure-Feed solutions feature the flexibility, consistent production levels, and cost effectiveness that successful direct marketers demand.
Pitney Bowes will be showcasing mailstream hardware, software and service solutions at GraphExpo, September 9 - 12, 2007 at McCormick Place South in Chicago, Illinois.  Visit the Pitney Bowes team at Booth 2263.