Nation's Largest Regional Direct Marketing Association Recognizes SuccessThrough Innovative Printing Technologies and Optimized Package Designs

BALTIMORE, MD – Vertis Communications, a results-driven marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to prominent brands across North America, today announced that its work on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and the Virginia Sherriff's Institute earned two 2011 Silver MAXI Awards from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington. The direct marketing programs, conducted in partnership with BMD and Chapman Cubine Adams + Hussey (CCA+H), were honored in the ultra-competitive Direct Mail category. DMAW, the nation's largest regional Direct Marketing Association, represents 1,000 members located in the Washington metro, Baltimore, and Central Virginia areas.

The Democratic National Committee engaged CCA+H and Vertis in 2010 to develop a direct mail package designed to generate support and donations among its 400,000 national members for President Barack Obama's reelection campaign.Together, the firms developed a superior package design and reinforced personalization through a flat, oversized mailer that optimized white space with important, individualized messages, consistent DNC branding and visuals, and strategic placement and use of all elements, including a personal letter, customized donation receipt, an appealing window placard and branded stickers, and outer envelope. Through Vertis' expert inline printing capabilities at its North Brunswick, NJ unionized facility, a requirement for DNC work, all components were printed seamlessly, reducing costs, paper waste and press time while ensuring each personalized piece reached the appropriate recipient.

"This recognition from DMAW reaffirms Vertis' mission to achieve supreme results for our clients and their customers through innovative printing and unique approaches to effective, creative designs," said Gerald Sokol Jr., President and Chief Executive Officerfor Vertis Communications. "We are grateful for the opportunity to work with two leading firms and honored that the esteemed judging panel selected our campaigns as excellent examples of results-driven marketing."

The Virginia Sherriff's Institute engaged BMD and Vertis in 2009 to drive community awareness about the organization's mission, current events and activities while also increasing gift giving. Together, Vertis and BMD redesigned the Institute's quarterly newsletter in order to efficiently and affordably deliver more relevant content to its approximately 20,000 Associate Members. Through advanced digital printing technology and industry-leading workflow techniques, Vertis successfully integrated fully customized content, from geo-specific information about the upcoming local election to a personalized note and photograph from the Sheriff, in a high-quality 8.5 x 14, two-page newsletter. Vertis flawlessly produced the four-color design of the single-sheet newsletter, in addition to the custom letter, business reply envelope and outer envelope, from its York, PA facility, as well as managed compilation of all direct mail pieces. As a result, the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute "Digital Print Newsletter" surpassed expectations by generating income through average gifts of nearly $35.

"From the start, Vertis Communications was committed to the success of this campaign, with a determination to surpass our client's expectations and generate results that would truly make an impact," said Brian Brilliant, Vice President, BMD. "We are honored to share this MAXI Award with such a great direct marketing partner and a leader in state-of-the-art printing technology."

Since 1979, DMAW has been presenting the MAXI Awards to honor and recognize success and achievements in the direct marketing industry. More than 30 leaders in direct marketing made up the diverse judging panel that selected winners predominantly based on campaign results, in addition to other criteria including strategy, copy, design/format, production and innovation. DMAW received a 30% increase in MAXI entries this year with 84 MAXI Award winners accepting Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, as well as three recognized with the Big Idea Award.

For more information about Vertis' strategic approach to direct marketing or about the award-winning direct mail programs, please contact Amy Bowman with Stanton Communications at 410-727-6855 or [email protected].