EDITOR’S NOTE VOLUME 31, ISSUE 1 MAGAZINE STAFF President Chad Griepentrog Publisher Ken Waddell Editor Amanda Armendariz amanda.c@rbpub.com Editorial Director Allison Lloyd allison.l@rbpub.com Editorial interns Catherine Sbeglia Kristyn Sommers Contributing Writers Lisa Cross, Wes Friesen, Kristi Kanitz, Brad Kugler, Adam Lewenberg, Chris Lien, Jeff Peoples, Mike Porter, Bob Rosser, Thom Roylance, Kurt Ruppel, Bob Schimek Audience Development Manager Rachel Chapman rachel@rbpub.com Advertising Ken Waddell 608.235.2212 ken.w@rbpub.com Design Kelli Cooke RB Publishing Inc. PO Box 259098 Madison WI 53725-9098 Tel: 608.241.8777 Fax: 608.241.8666 Email: rbpub@rbpub.com SUBSCIRBE Subscribe online at MailingSystemsTechnology.com. Subscriptions are free to qualified recipients: $20 per year to all others in the United States. Subscription rate for Canada or Mexico is $40 per year, and for elsewhere outside of the United States is $45. Back issue rate is $5. SEND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO: Mailing Systems Technology, PO Box 259098, Madison WI 53725-9098 Call 608.241.8777 Fax 608.241.8666 E-mail rachel@rbpub.com Online at MailingSystemsTechnology.com. REPRINT SALES ReprintPro 949.702.5390 www.ReprintPros.com All material in this magazine is copyrighted ©2018 by RB Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Any correspondence sent to Mailing Systems Technology, RB Publishing Inc. or its staff becomes property of RB Publishing Inc. The articles in this magazine represent the views of the authors and not those of RB Publishing Inc. or Mailing Systems Technology. RB Publishing Inc. and/or Mailing Systems Technology expressly disclaim any liability for the products or services sold or otherwise endorsed by advertisers or authors included in this magazine. MAILING SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY (ISSN 1088-2677) [Volume 31 Issue 1] is published six times per year, (January/February, Annual Industry Buyer’s Guide, March/April, May/June, September/October, November/December) by RB Publishing Inc.,PO Box 259098 Madison WI 53725-9098, 608-241-8777. Periodical postage paid at Madison WI and additional offices. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Mailing Systems Technology PO Box 259098 Madison WI 53725-9098
A NEW YEAR, A NEW LOOK BY AMANDA ARMENDARIZ
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s you’re flipping through the pages of this latest issue, you may notice we look a little bit different — a little more streamlined, a little more modern. One of our goals for 2018 was to create a fresh, new look while still acting as the ultimate industry resource for mailers. No small task, right? But when you think about it, isn’t that what we’re all doing in the mail industry, every single day? The actual communication method of mail has been around for a long, long time. And yes, those of us in the industry are constantly bombarded with news reports that mail volumes and revenue are declining (and, sadly, these reports are indeed based in fact). However, just because volumes are down and mail is an “older” method of communication doesn’t mean it’s no longer relevant. It still holds tremendous value as a communication vehicle if mailers are willing to update their mail to change with the times. In fact, in this digital age, many consumers are so desensitized to electronic methods of communication that mail stands out as a breath of fresh air. The difference from years past, how-
ever, is that organizations must make sure there is a digital component to their hardcopy communication pieces. As I talk with mailers in the industry, I feel like most are succeeding at this task. Yes, it can be an uphill battle, especially when you have those who don’t understand the value that mail still brings to the table. But there are so many industry professionals who embrace the opportunities that the digital age brings, especially when combined with more traditional methods of communication. It’s not an either/or phenomenon; these two channels can work together to create the ultimate communication vehicle. So update your look, change with the times — but remember, at its core, mail is what works. As always, thanks for reading Mailing Systems Technology.
MailingSystemsTechnology.com | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018
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