Spectrum_Data

On April 9^th, 2025, The USPS filed a general rate case increase with the Postal Regulatory Commission to take effect on July 13th. Fortunately for mailers, an anticipated upcoming Catalog Insights/Primary Promotion represents an opportunity for all to completely offset the proposed increase. The rate case notice can be found here with the catalog promotion description beginning on page 50. We are hopeful that this promotion will be approved by the PRC and offer relief for the 2025 Fall/Holiday mailing season. Read more >>

Forbes pointed out in 2022 that market research “estimates that the amount of data created over the next three years will be more than all the data created over the past 30 years.” We are already two years into the “next” three and feeling the effects of having to process significantly more data with our merge processes. The Forbes article link that follows addresses how this challenge extends well beyond the merge processes we work with every day. Read more >>

We are watching the efforts of seven senators after they sent a letter to the Chairman Martinez and Members of the Board of Governors regarding the United States Postal Service. They mention that businesses rely on USPS services for their livelihood and success. Click below to read this important letter. Read more >>

Data driven decisions have become the gold standard for the marketing world in recent times. Regardless of whether you are using data driven decisions for marketing, merchandising or information technology, it is critical to be sure the data is free of duplicate records and focused on growing sales. The article below is a good summary of a few of the ways data can be used for decision making. Read more >>

In 2010, an article from Chief Marketer website reviewed the basic value of matchbacks. Thirteen years later the content remains valid and the key point of the article more relevant than ever. “Those new and reactivated customers were probably seeing multi-platform messages all along, but they didn’t pull the trigger to purchase until a print catalog showed up in their mailboxes.” Read more >>

There are many articles with helpful information regarding AI analyzing customer data, predicting behavior and personalizing experiences. Click here for a LinkedIn article we found interesting. One thing that is not mentioned here is the importance of a data foundation that is properly deduped and cleaned up for AI to leverage.

AI and machine learning are dominating the news these days. Automated campaigns and dashboard reporting certainly play a role in making business decisions. What automation will not do is look at data with an eye to the human part of data processes. Beware of the pitfalls of automated campaign by making sure humans and automation work together. Read more >>

Postage costs are most likely the #1 expense of a direct marketing mailer. We want to make sure you are aware of the opportunity to hear and interact with the Postmaster General in May 2023. You can personally make YOUR voice heard. USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will be at the upcoming ACMA Conference in May. He will address your concerns, answer your questions, and update everyone on the progress of the Postal Service’s network transformation and Delivering For America plans. Read More >>

USPS postage rates are set to increase on July 10, 2022. This is a large increase. Our last postage rate increase was in August of 2021, which was also a historic rate increase. It’s not all bad news in that direct mail still is very effective and driving response, we just have to get more creative to save on postage. So, what do the new rates mean for you? Read more >>

The House-passed bill to reform the U.S, Postal Service was delayed this week. The bill benefits all mailers by eliminating a requirement that the Postal Service prepay future retirement health benefits and allowing non-postal services as part of an agreement with state and local governments. It also requires that the Postal Service to deliver your mail six days of the week. Read more >>