BALTIMORE--Jan. 20, 2004-- Vertis, the premier provider of targeted advertising, media, and marketing services, and Structural Graphics, a major producer of three-dimensional interactive print communications, today announced the recent extension of their joint marketing agreement. As a result, the direct marketing industry will continue to benefit from a combination of extensive personalization; high impact, hand assembly; high-speed, fast-turnaround production; and affordable prices. Through their renewed agreement, each company continues to be a resource for the other in the areas of sales, design, production and fulfillment. The venture allows for the production of marketing communications that combine hand assembly and semi-automated processes with highly efficient in-line printing and converting. The fifty-plus designs already developed by the partnership have featured dimensional components while providing marketers with the benefits of inline printing and personalization. Such projects have incorporated sound modules into folder pockets that were primarily finished in-line; wrapped an envelope around an "exploding map" with other personalized materials; tipped a lenticular onto a brochure that also featured a coupon inside; incorporated a pop-up alligator on a personalized folder with a premium; and a box mailer with personalized gift cards that required five-way hand matching on millions of pieces. "Vertis' in-line printing and personalization capabilities include everything from simple personalized mailers to full-color, multi-component, multi-matched, closed-face mailers in almost any quantity in a single-step," said David Colatriano, group president of Vertis East. "Our joint marketing agreement with Structural Graphics, which has a reputation for boosting retention value of mailers and other promotional pieces, combines our strengths to produce highly targetable and cost-efficient products that enable customers to effectively deliver creative messages." "These combined, high-impact products have been proven to break through the clutter of conventional messages that bombard consumers and increase a marketing campaign's chances for success," added Michael Maguire, president of Structural Graphics. "Hand assembly offers excellent structural and creative flexibility, but it can be time consuming and more costly. By combining the production capabilities of Structural Graphics and Vertis, we decrease lead times and get products out in the field sooner, often trimming the cost of a project to the customer." The two companies will use what they've learned working together to further enhance their joint service. "The key to making these projects work is found in the design process," continued Maguire. "The joint Structural Graphics/Vertis design team gets involved at the beginning of a project and our conversation continues from sketches through final format. During that process, critical decisions are made about issues such as postage, and how to best apply personalization -- which steps can be done in-line, which by hand, and of course which way would be faster and less expensive." The two companies also recently developed a line of personalized, cost-effective box mailers. "Combining the joint benefits of personalized mail and unique formats creates a blockbuster device for the direct marketing business," concluded Colatriano.