Author: chris@mindspikedesign.com

Here’s a graph we’re happy to share – the average delivery days for First-Class Mail as reported by our mail tracking partner. It’s no secret the Postal Service has been struggling and had a rough December and early January, but… Read More

Date: April 20-23, 2021 (Virtual Event) Embrace the Future. The online event of the print industry. Featuring top speakers with their future topics. Exciting short talks. Exhibitors presenting their product highlights and innovations virtually. Visitors and exhibitors can connect in… Read More

Dec 2020 Important News & Information from USPS Headquarters-Industry Engagement & Outreach Team From USPS IndustryAlert Mail Spoken Here December 30, 2020 Mail Spoken Here is your source for Important News and Information. Please enjoy the attached December issue of… Read More

From ANA.net Influencer marketing has redefined the way companies drive awareness of their business. Leveraging brand messaging, endorsements, or product placements from industry icons in direct mail campaigns can help companies further capture consumer attention when and where it matters…. Read More

From Postal Customer Council & USPS Operation Santa Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters sent to Santa from children and families arrive at the Post Offices around the country. Most letters ask for toys and games. Some ask for… Read More

From OMG Mail: The Journal of Communication Distribution Steven Phelps, Manager of Regulatory Reporting and Cost Analysis, United States Postal Service recently provided an overview of Market Dominant and International Competitive regarding upcoming Postage rate hikes. Read More

This holiday season will be unlike any other, capping off a year unlike any other. Throughout this season as we move into a new and hopefully better year, we at A.B. Data would like to wish you peace and joy… Read More

No Increase in Forever Stamp WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 24, 2021. Click for 2021 Proposed Postage Rates The proposed prices,… Read More

National Postal Forum/HISTORY Voting by mail can trace its roots to soldiers voting far from home during the Civil War and World War II. By the late 1800s some states were extending absentee ballots to civilian voters under certain conditions…. Read More

From LeadingPRINT LeadingPRINT is the new content platform from the Association for PRINT Technologies that shares entrepreneurial stories, expert advice, and strategic-based content. LeadingPrint is about looking forward. They recently sat down with A.B. Data’s very own Katherine Versteegh, Senior… Read More

From ANA The COVID-19 pandemic upended society virtually overnight. People’s behavior, physical activity, work environment, and economic circumstances have shifted as a result of the various lockdowns that took place throughout the world earlier this year. This has sparked significant… Read More

On August 14, 2020, the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) filed a proposal with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to temporarily increase prices for domestic competitive products. On September 4, 2020, the PRC approved these price adjustments. The changed pricing… Read More

There has been a lot of confusion lately revolving around the U.S. Postal Service and on-time delivery of the mail. Several factors are contributing to some delays in letter, flat and package mail; but there do not appear to be… Read More

Join A.B. Data Senior Vice President, Katherine Versteegh and ANA Nonprofit Federation colleagues at this virtual event for important updates on postal operations, legislation and pricing strategy. Then, listen in on a discussion about donor-advised funds–special accounts controlled by a… Read More

WASHINGTON, DC — Postmaster General Louis DeJoy issued the following statement today: “The United States Postal Service will play a critical role this year in delivering election mail for millions of voters across the country. There has been a lot… Read More

Check out this snapshot of workers’ sentiments about their job security, finances and career outlook. Confidence among senior leaders (VP+) in the U.S. has steadily increased since April, while confidence among individual workforce contributors has remained unchanged. Read More

From Federal News Network | Jory Heckman The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out a pilot program seeking to standardize mail delivery times, while leaving more items behind to go out the following day. Critics are concerned the change may… Read More

From ANA.net Should you wait for the California Consumer Privacy Act regulations to be final before doing any further work? Is it worth the additional effort now, considering a new California ballot initiative is going to change the law anyway?… Read More

Congratulations David Norman, on your promotion to Director of Client Services. This promotion recognizes David’s commitment to our clients and the success of the company. As Director of Client Services, he leads the team responsible for managing full service multi-channel… Read More

From USPS IndustryAlert July 30, 2020 Pursuant to the terms that will apply to borrowing under the CARES Act, the Postal Service will provide the Department of the Treasury with certain information regarding our costs, revenues, and overall financial position…. Read More

ABD Direct hires Michelle MacGillivray as Senior Strategist to Serve the Nonprofit Community on the West Coast Milwaukee, WI – July 8, 2020 – ABD Direct, a Division of A.B. Data, Ltd., hired Michelle MacGillivray as Senior Strategist. MacGillivray will… Read More

Date: October 2020 PRINTING United is the largest printing event in North America, bringing all printing industry segments together under one roof. Originally scheduled to take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on October 21-23, 2020, the… Read More

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 Join ANA Nonprofit Federation colleagues, A.B. Data Senior Vice President, Katherine Versteegh and other industry experts at this virtual event for important updates on postal operations, legislation and pricing strategy; and listen in on a… Read More

2020 Meeting Schedule Location: USPS Headquarters | Washington, D.C. July 28-30 October 27-29 MTAC is a venue for the United States Postal Service (Postal Service) to share technical information with mailers, and to receive their advice and recommendations on matters… Read More

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2020 | 1:30-5:30PM EDT The question on every fundraiser’s mind is – How do we move forward? COVID-19 has been the disruptor of all disruptors and has impacted the way we engage and interact with each… Read More

Talking … and Listening – Juneteenth Offers Opportunities to Learn, Grow Juneteenth, an annual celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, took on added significance this year amid the nationwide protests regarding racial injustice. The commemoration traces… Read More

A New Era Begins – DeJoy takes Oath as Postmaster General Postmaster General Louis DeJoy addresses attendees during the June 16 installation ceremony. Louis DeJoy took the oath of office as the nation’s 75th Postmaster General on June 16, expressing… Read More

From Mail: The Journal of Communication Distribution Official Mail Guide Louis DeJoy took the oath of office as the nation’s 75th Postmaster General on June 16, expressing optimism for the Postal Service’s future and appreciation for the organization’s employees. “Together,… Read More

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis seven days ago should serve as a wake-up call for our nation and for all of us. His life matters and his family deserves justice. Underlying and systemic racism cannot go on unaddressed… Read More

May, 22, 2020 – Today’s USPS Industry Alert reported that the USPS Board of Governors recently adopted a mission statement – the first in the Postal Service’s history – as part of the governors’ work to conduct long-range planning and… Read More

The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service announced yesterday it unanimously selected Louis DeJoy to serve as the 75th Postmaster General of the United States and Chief Executive Officer, making him the fifth PMG to join the… Read More

A Message from Katherine Versteegh, Senior VP – Data Driven Communications I hope you’re staying safe and healthy. I’m reaching out again to update you on the status of A.B. Data operations and to remind you that we’re here for… Read More

Location: Omni Orland Resort at Championsgate | Championsgate, FL Date: June 22-24, 2020 IMCA welcomes marketing, communications and advertising professionals from across the insurance industry. With constant innovations in technology and methods, insurance marketing and communications are evolving at a… Read More

Overall, mail delivery timing is comparable to pre-COVID service levels. There are some delays in large metropolitan areas that are virus hot spots – specifically, New York, Northern New Jersey, and the Detroit area. The delays are ranging from 1-5… Read More

As of last week, the USPS reported an overall volume decline of 32% across letters and flats. Marketing Mail alone was down 42.5%, most likely led by event marketing, hospitality marketing, and retail. Nonprofits and other industry leaders have proposed… Read More

The Postal Service has been struggling for some time. That’s no secret. Concerns that the Postal Service will shut down by June may have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the $10 billion in borrowing authority they received as part of… Read More

A.B. Data continues to operate without interruption and with no expected delays in service. This is a testament to our dedicated team of professionals. Remote and onsite workers alike are giving it their all, and the result is a very… Read More

As we come together during this uncertain and challenging time, A.B. Data extends our sincere appreciation to all those who continue working on the front lines. We applaud all the healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, transit workers, mail carriers, delivery… Read More

The coronavirus has changed the way companies operate in just the past couple weeks in the United States. Mailing and package delivery is no exception. Packaging and mailing deals with a lot of people. A customer drops off a letter… Read More

From Forbes.com Mark Nevins, Contributor The reality of life post-COVID-19 has not fully sunk in yet, and its consequences for our businesses, organizations, economy, and society will play out over the rest of 2020 and beyond. Right now, we really… Read More

From PrintingImpressions March 31, 2020 SGIA, NAPCO Media, and Printing Industries of America (PIA) and its affiliates, have joined forces to launch a powerful resource channel dedicated to providing the printing and graphic communications industry with up-to-the-minute news and resources… Read More

As an essential business, A.B. Data continues to operate our facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin without interruption and with no expected delays in service. All personnel who can work remotely based on their job functions are working remotely from home, production… Read More

Location: Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center | National Harbor, MD Date: July 15-17, 2020 Join A.B. Data and a record breaking 2,500+ fundraising and marketing professionals from around the world at this premier conference! The brightest, most creative and… Read More

By Jory Heckman, Federal News Network February 11, 2020 With the Postal Service warning that it could run out of cash by 2024, the Trump administration claims recommendations released by a White House postal task force more than a year… Read More

David Norman, Client Services Manager for the Data Driven Communications division of A.B. Data, has been named Director of Client Services. This promotion recognizes Dave’s commitment to A.B. Data clients and the company, his ability to anticipate and fulfill client… Read More

Amid growing concern surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the CDC and other government agencies are providing updates, information and guidance focused on lessening the spread and impact of this virus. Last week, A.B. Data launched a communications and action plan… Read More

Following the Mailer’s Technical Advisory Committee open session on Tuesday, January 28th, industry friends, family and colleagues gathered for a reception honoring US Postmaster General Megan Brennan at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. In attendance was A.B…. Read More

Location: Orlando World Center Marriott | Orlando, FL Date: April 26-29, 2020 The NPF has partnered with the USPS to present the mailing and shipping industry’s premier educational venue, trade show and networking event. Held every spring, the four-day NPF… Read More

Location: The Mayflower Hoten, Autograph Collection, Washington DC Date: February 19-21, 2020 At the 2020 ANA D.C. Nonprofit Conference, you’ll hear innovative marketing, fundraising, and collaboration ideas, to help you expand your donor base and strengthen the bonds with your… Read More

From Government Executive By Eric Katz, Senior Correspondent The U.S. Postal Service could soon raise prices in a way that more closely follows increases in its costs, as the mailing agency’s regulators proposed an overhaul to the existing rate-setting system… Read More

From Forbes.com By Maureen Metcalf Technology, innovation, and geopolitical change are accelerating the need for U.S. companies to get (or stay) ahead of the competition. But for companies to fully evolve, attract the best people, and produce the best products… Read More

From AdExchanger By Sarah Sluis Over 20 million households have signed up for the USPS’s Informed Delivery. First launched in 2017 after a few years of pilot testing, the service now adds 200,000 new households a week. Informed Delivery offers… Read More

Despite the myriad technologies available to businesses today, maintaining the integrity of constantly changing customer data can be a mailer’s biggest challenge. Businesses rely on A.B. Data for comprehensive data management and production solutions that minimize waste, reduce costs, and… Read More

Entrepreneur.com Have you defined your data governance strategy and implemented operating procedures, rules and standards that are followed daily by everyone creating, managing, analyzing and processing data across your organization? When speaking of the data revolution, bold, interactive dashboards with… Read More

Forbes.com Alan Kohll Contributor Work relationships are incredibly important to employee well-being. It’s about more than just “getting along” with a co-worker. As humans, we crave contact and connection with other people. Unfortunately, for many employees, work can be a… Read More

MILWAUKEE, WI – In 3 minute summary of the anticipated 10-year business plan from the USPS, Jory Heckman of the Federal News Network reminds readers that several of the core issues the plan seeks to address will require action from… Read More

By Maureen Metcalf Forbes Councils Member Technology, innovation, and geopolitical change are accelerating the need for U.S. companies to get (or stay) ahead of the competition. But for companies to fully evolve, attract the best people, and produce the best… Read More

FORWARD By Christopher Karpenko Today’s consumer-driven marketing requires a new level of sophistication to meet customers at the right moment on the right channel. With dynamic direct mail, companies can combine the memorability and reach of direct mail with the… Read More

Presented by: SGIA and NAPCO Media Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | Dallas, TX Date: October 23-25, 2019 The next iteration of the SGIA expo is bringing the entire printing industry together under one roof. DON’T MISS OUT ON… Read More

Location: Orlando, FL Date: October 2-5, 2019 Join a who’s who of CMOs and other industry movers and shakers who will share their remarkable stories of mastering brands and driving results in ways that didn’t even seem possible a few… Read More

Location: McCormick Place North, Chicago IL Date: October 3-5, 2019 PRINT 19 kicks off this year’s event with a keynote presentation and provides lots of opportunity to see what’s RED HOT, network with peers, and attend the Celebrate PRINT Opening… Read More

Three major changes were announced to the Informed Delivery program. Not the promotion, but the basic ongoing ID program. The changes were sort of slipped into the terms and conditions and mentioned during the last MTAC User Group 12 call…. Read More

2019 Meeting Schedule Location: USPS Headquarters | Washington, D.C. • October 29-31, 2019 MTAC is a venue for the United States Postal Service (Postal Service) to share technical information with mailers, and to receive their advice and recommendations on matters… Read More

Today’s Full Committee hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding the financial condition of the Postal Service was a serious reminder of the need for bi-partisan Postal Reform. Postmaster General Brennan, other witnesses and Committee members discussed… Read More

The Postmaster General’s Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) is a venue for the United States Postal Service (Postal Service) to share technical information with mailers, and to receive their advice and recommendations on matters concerning mail-related products and services, in… Read More

Join us and hundreds of fundraising and marketing professionals at the Washington Nonprofit Conference, a two-day event where you will exchange innovative marketing and fundraising ideas, generate insightful solutions and think creatively to help you make the relationship with your… Read More

Written by Nancy Garrison and Anne Skroch for Mailing Systems Technology Find original article here. Unlike legacy IMb Tracing, which only provided piece tracking for subscribers, the U.S. Postal Service’s Informed Visibility (IV) makes a variety of data available from… Read More

Written by Larry Clark for Harvard Business Publishing. Find original article here. In the 60-plus years since Donald Kirkpatrick published his landmark dissertation on the four levels of learning evaluation, there is still great debate about our ability to measure… Read More

Written by Summer Gould for Target Marketing Magazine Find original article here. Most marketers look at direct mail marketing as a must-do in their marketing mix; but really, direct mail can be fabulous with the right strategy. If you have… Read More

Location: Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel | Washington, D.C. Date: February 21-23, 2018 Join the DMANF and hundreds of fundraising and marketing professionals at the Washington Nonprofit Conference, a two-day event where you will exchange innovative marketing and fundraising ideas,… Read More

2018 Meeting Schedule Location: USPS Headquarters | Washington, D.C. February 27 – March 1, 2018 June 12 – 14, 2018 October 2 – 4, 2018 November 27 – 29, 2018 MTAC is a venue for the United States Postal Service… Read More

As leaders, most of us would like to imagine that we have all the answers. But we’re constantly faced with new and disruptive challenges that we have no idea how to solve. As we turn to our teams to help… Read More

The global printing industry is forecast to reach $980 billion by 2018, driven by growth in packaging and labels, rather than graphic applications, and digital rather than analogue printing, according to a new market report by Smithers Pira. The Future… Read More

WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2018. The new prices, if approved, include a one cent increase in the price of a… Read More

Location: Italian Conference Center | Milwaukee, WI Date: February 21, 2018 Click Here and Ask for More Information

A.B. Data announced the addition of Romya Allen-Zellars to the Data Services Division (DSD) of A.B. Data. Romya accepted a position of Business Development Specialist in A.B. Data’s Sales & Marketing Department. She will be responsible for helping to develop… Read More

A.B. Data announced the addition of Elliott Prado to the Data Services Division (DSD) of A.B. Data. Elliott has accepted a position as Business Development Specialist in the Sales & Marketing Department. He will be responsible for helping to develop… Read More

A.B. Data announced the promotion of Katherine Versteegh to Senior Vice President of the Data Services Division of A.B. Data (DSD). This promotion recognized Katherine’s continued value to the company and the outstanding job she has done as a member… Read More

The Data Services Division of A.B. Data announced they are moving their data services and digital print operations to accommodate their unprecedented growth in the print and mail industry. In December 2016, office personnel from the Data Services Division of… Read More