Be Better, Do More

Cat 1

2010-11-04T09:28:00.001-07:00

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You Didn't Know This, Did You?

2010-08-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Printing is the original green industry. The number of trees standing has increased 59% since 1959.

The next time you worry about printing out an email, consider that paper is made from easily renewable material while the device you're using to read this is not.

Have you thought about printing this way or has the media white washed the public into believing something else?

QR Codes and Printing Go Together Like PB&J

2010-02-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

Do you know what a QR Code is? You should. These codes link printed material with the digital world.

Clarke, Inc. is the leader in this technology in Central VA. We are helping our clients implement this new technology now. These codes are in use everywhere in Europe. In 6-12 months they will be common in the US. You need to learn and implement this now. Get ahead of your competition now. Become a leader in your industry now.

Try it out. Download the reader at www.i-nigma.mobi. Cool, huh!? Call us!

2009-10-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Despite losing billions of dollars in its last fiscal year, the U.S. Postal Service will not raise the price to mail catalogs and magazines in 2010. Additionally, an internal memo reveals the price for first-class stamps will remain 44 cents. "Simply stated, there will not be a price increase for market dominant products including first-class mail, standard mail, periodicals and single-piece parcel post," wrote Postmaster General John Potter in a recent memo to staffers. "Promoting the value of mail and encouraging its continued use is essential for jobs, the economy and the future of both the Postal Service and the mailing industry."

First-class mail rates generally cover pieces sent by individuals or bills sent by companies. Standard mail is typically used for catalogs, advertising supplements and magazines, while single-piece parcel post rates cover small packages. The memo does not address the future cost of Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Select and some international services, meaning a price hike in these categories is still possible. A final decision will be announced next month.

The Postal Service, which has incurred net losses in 11 of the last 12 fiscal quarters, has struggled to offset an unprecedented decline in mail volume, which has fallen by nearly 20 billion pieces this year. In response to the trend, the Postal Service has cut jobs and work hours, offering buyouts to thousands of older employees. With revenues declining, there was widespread speculation that the Postal Service would raise service prices to partially counter the losses. "While increasing prices might have generated revenue for the Postal Service in the short term, the long term effect could drive additional mail out of the system," wrote Potter.

Now that the USPS has decided ti remain in business for another year will you increase/decrease/remain the same your direct mail budgets in 2010?

Halloween

2009-10-12T06:12:00.001-07:00

Are you spooked by blogs and social networking? Respond and let me know!

Print is Not Dead

2009-09-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hmm... Even Google is using print ads. So the web is not the marketing be all, end all after all.

2009-09-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Social networking sites such as, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, as well as blogs just like this seem to be very popular. But are they useful business sales and marketing tools, or just entertainment for adults looking for their long lost high school sweet hearts?

Text advertising sent directly to you cell phone and services such as Cha Cha are also gaining popularity. But are these useful to business' or just entertainment for college kids?

How are you using the new social networking and text messaging tools? Is it working? Is it just plain annoying? Or, is it what in world is this guy talking about?

2009-08-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Are Pixels Greener Than Paper?

More and more people are communicating with electronic media. But are electronic devices the most cost effective environmental choice for getting information.

Get the facts they may surprise you. Whether we email or send a letter we consume energy and resources. There are environmental trade offs in every choice we make, there is no simple "right answer" according to International Paper.

For more information go to www.ipaper.com or contact Clarke, Inc. We'll email it or mail it to you - your choice.

2009-07-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

As a printer that provides ink-on-paper products this new world of blogging and social media presents a conundrum. How does Clarke, Inc embrace this new technology?

As we survey the market and its rapidly changing environment I keep one thing in mind: Back in the 1950s and early 196os it was said that television would cause the demise of printing. Do you know what the most popular publication of all time is (other than the Bible)? TV Guide Magazine.

My challenge is to determine how Clarke, Inc. can make TV Guide happen again using blogging and social marketing.