Company updates
Print innovation, company milestones, awards, and community moments from MBI Direct Mail + Digital.
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We’re excited to share some recognition. MBI Direct Mail + Digital was recently featured in an industry article highlighting how print providers across North America are evolving through…
Read storyCompany news, production advances, awards, events, and community updates, newest first.
MBI was honored to sponsor and attend the West Volusia Historical Society’s Inaugural Annual Fundraiser Gala, an inspiring evening dedicated to preserving local history and strengthening our community.
Read story
MBI was honored to sponsor and attend the Winter Wonderland Gala, a truly beautiful evening centered on community, compassion, and care.
Read story
MBI is honored to be recognized as a Best of Florida 2025 winner in Printing & Signage Services.
Read story
Recently, the MBI team had the honor of attending the Florida Graphics Alliance Print Awards, a night dedicated to celebrating the best in print and design across the state.
Read story
As part of our ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community, MBI was proud to sponsor an incredible event that brought people together in hope…
Read story
MBI Direct Mail + Digital was honored to sponsor the West Volusia NAACP 2024 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, an impactful evening that celebrated service, leadership, and community.
Read story
MBI was thrilled to attend the 2024 Printing United Expo in Las Vegas, an event widely recognized as the pinnacle of innovation within the printing industry.
Read story
We’re thrilled to share that MBI had an incredible night at the Florida Print Awards last Friday!
Read story
MBI is proud to announce that we have been honored with an array of awards, including eight Best of Category awards, Flamingo Award for Best Campaign, and an…
Read story
MBI was happy to help when a recent urgent request was needed.
Read story
MBI is a proud sponsor for this year's 10th Annual The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia Wine to Water fundraising event on July 25th from 5-7pm.
Read storyMBi was proud to be a sponsor of the Wishmaker's Ball. This is an annual event that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the…
Read story
MBI will be proudly sponsoring the Rock’n Hearts for the Homeless event Saturday, May 14th at Earl Brown Park.
Read storyThis morning MBI got it's employees off to a good start with breakfast.
Read story
On February 24th MBI was a proud supporter of the Fourth Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser.
Read story
MBI was proud to be a sponsor at the The Rotary Club of DeLand's Barbecue Contest to benefit the Volusia/Flagler YMCA on Saturday.
Read story
It was bittersweet this weekend as Team MBI supported Me Strong for the 11th and final Victory Lap.
Read storyMBI held it's first ever employee BBQ Cook-Off today! Dave Brannon took home the 1st place trophy followed by Kenny Sauer (2nd Place) and Jim Grogan (3rd).
Read story
SUPPORT THE FIGHTERS. ADMIRING THE SURVIVORS. HONORING THE TAKEN. AND NEVER, EVER GIVING UP HOPE.
Read storyMBI was recently recognized for outstanding work in several categories. When you want top notch quality and service, MBI is the premiere source for AWARD WINNING Print and Digital Solutions.
Read story
MBI was well represented today at the Rotary Club of DeLand’s 15th Annual Bowling for Literacy.
Read story
MBI was selected as a winner in the 58th Anniversary In-house Design Awards.
Read story
Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out! MBI is a proud sponsor for this year's 9th Annual The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia Wine to…
Read storyToday MBI showed up in a big way for the arrival of the BIG RED BUS to donate blood.
Read story
Printing Impressions magazine, producer of the annual Gold Ink Awards, announced that MBI Direct Mail, Inc has won a Silver Award for the entry, entitled Global Hope Annual…
Read story
MBI would like to express a sincere thanks to the Nurses, Doctors, Grocery store employees, Warehouse Workers, First Responders, Delivery Drivers, Cleaners and other members of the essential workforce.
Read story
According to the recent bulletin from the USPS, a federal entity, all operations of commerce that support this essential governmental function such as the mailing and printing industry…
Read story
The Printing Industries of America has announced MBI Direct Mail, Inc as a winner of the 2020 Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) awards program.
Read storyWe're always looking for a few good recruits! Click here to view our current Job Openings.
Read story
MBI Is proud to announce that Eva Sauer has been awarded her Certificate of Completion as a USPS Certified Direct Mail Professional.
Read story
MBI has done it again! Printing Industries of America created the BWA awards to honor printing companies that provide a great workplace.
Read story
Print marketing is compelling, memorable, and engaging. As people touch, hold, and even smell paper, they respond in a profoundly personal way.
Read story
Thank you to all of our customers, partners and friends for another successful year at MBI.
Read story
Our holiday hours will be as follows: Christmas Eve: 8:00am-12noon Christmas Day: Closed New Years Eve: 8:00am-12noon New Years Day: Closed #MBIDirectMailDoneRight #MarketingByInnovation #HappyHolidays #HolidayHours
Read storyMBi is proud to announce some new winning additions that were received at the #FloridaPrintAwards.
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MBI Direct Mail is proud to announce that we’ve partnered with Textium to bring you MBI Mobile Solutions.
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MBi is proud to announce the latest additions to our trophy case...
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MBI has received another prestigious award: Printing Industries of America created the BWA awards to honor printing companies that provide a great workplace.
Read story
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [DeLand, FL] - [December 2, 2016] - MBI, Inc of DeLand, Florida has been awarded the designation, Best Workplace in the Americas 2016, for its exemplary human resources practices.
Read storyPhysical Unlike your Website, direct mail is an “active” format. Customers may find their way to your website, but a direct mail piece in their mailbox is a…
Read storyNo news stories match those filters.
We’re excited to share some recognition.
MBI Direct Mail + Digital was recently featured in an industry article highlighting how print providers across North America are evolving through digital print innovation, smarter production processes, and technology designed to help businesses scale more efficiently.
Our investment in HP Indigo 18K and 120K technology is about more than adding new presses. It’s about helping our clients achieve faster turnaround times, greater flexibility, improved production efficiency, and expanded opportunities across direct mail and integrated marketing campaigns.
As marketing continues to move faster, businesses need partners that can keep up without sacrificing quality or consistency.
That’s why MBI continues to invest in technology and processes that support better execution, stronger campaign performance, and a more seamless experience from strategy through production.
We’ve built MBI to be more than a printer or a marketing vendor.
Our goal is to be a strategic partner that works alongside clients, solves challenges quickly, and helps transform ideas into measurable business growth.
We’re proud to be part of shaping the future of print and marketing and even more excited about what these advancements mean for the businesses we serve.
Read the full article to learn more.
MBI was honored to sponsor and attend the West Volusia Historical Society’s Inaugural Annual Fundraiser Gala, an inspiring evening dedicated to preserving local history and strengthening our community. The event brought together supporters who share a passion for honoring the past while investing in the future of West Volusia.
Supporting the preservation of local history is about more than safeguarding buildings and artifacts. It’s about protecting the stories, traditions, and experiences that shape our community. We are proud to stand alongside the West Volusia Historical Society as they work to keep these stories alive for generations to come.
The gala highlighted the importance of community involvement and collective support in sustaining these efforts. It was a meaningful reminder of how organizations like the West Volusia Historical Society help connect us to our roots and inspire future generations.
If you would like to support their mission and contribute to the preservation of West Volusia’s history, donations can be made here:
https://www.delandhouse.com/donate
MBI was honored to sponsor and attend the Winter Wonderland Gala, a truly beautiful evening centered on community, compassion, and care. The event brought together supporters who share a commitment to making a meaningful difference for those in need, and we were grateful to be part of such an impactful night.
Every day, the team at Good Samaritan Clinic works tirelessly to ensure that quality care is available to those who might otherwise go without. Their dedication, empathy, and service are inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact they make.
If you’re interested in helping continue this important work, donations can be made directly to support the Good Samaritan Clinic’s mission.
You can contribute here: https://gsdld.org/donate/
MBI is honored to be recognized as a Best of Florida 2025 winner in Printing & Signage Services. This award is especially meaningful to our team because it represents the trust, confidence, and continued support of our clients, partners, and community.
Being named a Best of Florida winner is not just a recognition of our work, but a reflection of the relationships we’ve built along the way. Every project, collaboration, and conversation reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and exceptional service. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to vote and share their support.
From our entire team, thank you for believing in what we do. Your encouragement fuels our passion and pushes us to continue improving, innovating, and raising the bar each and every day.
Recently, the MBI team had the honor of attending the Florida Graphics Alliance Print Awards, a night dedicated to celebrating the best in print and design across the state.
We’re proud to share that MBI brought home 56 awards! This highlights the creativity, expertise, and accuracy our team delivers to each campaign.
These awards remind us that great results come from pushing boundaries, staying detail-obsessed, and showing up with excellence on every job, big or small.
As we move forward, we’re more committed than ever to delivering work that earns trust, stands out, and delivers the best results!
2025 Florida Print Awards Highlights
As part of our ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the community, MBI was proud to sponsor an incredible event that brought people together in hope and strength to support those battling cancer. The event united runners, walkers, volunteers, and supporters around a shared purpose, creating a meaningful and inspiring experience for everyone involved.
Held on February 1, 2025, the event was a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together. Whether participants ran, walked, or cheered from the sidelines, every contribution helped make a lasting impact.
We’re grateful to have been part of an event that combined wellness, connection, and compassion, and we’re proud to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen and uplift our community.
MBI Direct Mail + Digital was honored to sponsor the West Volusia NAACP 2024 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, an impactful evening that celebrated service, leadership, and community. The event was a tremendous success, filled with inspiring moments and a shared commitment to progress and equity.
We were proud to be part of a night that brought together community leaders, advocates, and supporters who continue to work toward meaningful change. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing Jim receive the Pillar of Service Award, recognizing his dedication, leadership, and lasting contributions to the community.
We extend our sincere thanks to the NAACP West Volusia Branch for hosting such a meaningful and well-organized celebration. Events like this serve as an important reminder of the power of unity and continued advocacy.
MBI was thrilled to attend the 2024 Printing United Expo in Las Vegas, an event widely recognized as the pinnacle of innovation within the printing industry. The expo brought together industry leaders, forward-thinking professionals, and cutting-edge solutions all under one roof.
Our team took full advantage of the opportunity to expand our knowledge, explore emerging trends, and gain insight into the latest advancements shaping the future of print. From new technologies to evolving strategies, the experience helped ensure we continue to stay ahead of the curve.
Beyond the exhibits and sessions, the expo provided valuable opportunities for connection and collaboration. Engaging with peers and industry experts reinforced our commitment to continuous learning and growth, all in service of delivering even better results for our clients.
Attending events like Printing United allows us to strengthen our expertise, deepen industry relationships, and bring fresh ideas back to the work we do every day.
We’re thrilled to share that MBI had an incredible night at the Florida Print Awards last Friday! We brought home 𝟕 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬, 𝟕 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬' 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝!
A huge thank you to our amazing team for their hard work and dedication. We couldn’t have achieved this without you! Here’s a glimpse of our night celebrating these fantastic wins.
MBI is proud to announce that we have been honored with an array of awards, including eight
Best of Category awards, Flamingo Award for Best Campaign, and an Award of Excellence at
the 2023 Florida Print Awards. These accomplishments highlight MBI's unwavering dedication
to excellence, innovation, and creative brilliance within the realm of graphic design and printing.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the talent and dedication of our
team. Each award symbolizes the passion and devotion we invest in every project, reflecting our
pursuit of excellence.
As we continue our journey forward, MBI remains committed to pushing the boundaries of
graphic design and printing, continually striving to raise the bar, and delivering top-notch
creative solutions to our valued clients. These awards not only motivate us but also serve as a
reminder of the incredible potential that lies ahead.
2023 Florida Print Awards Highlights
MBI was happy to help when a recent urgent request was needed.
The purchases needed and delivered in time for an extra special birthday surprise for an extra special little girl named Olivia.
MBI is a proud sponsor for this year's 10th Annual The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia Wine to Water fundraising event on July 25th from 5-7pm. Please join us in supporting this cause. Funds raised by this event will benefit local families by providing financial assistance for water, utilities and other preventions services to keep them in their homes.
Scan the code or click here for a Sponsorship Form
MBi was proud to be a sponsor of the Wishmaker's Ball. This is an annual event that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. A Great Night of dinner and dancing for a great cause!
MBI will be proudly sponsoring the Rock’n Hearts for the Homeless event Saturday, May 14th at Earl Brown Park. There will be bands, food trucks, and local vendors on site. Come out and join us for this wonderful cause!
This morning MBI got it's employees off to a good start with breakfast.
On February 24th MBI was a proud supporter of the Fourth Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser. All proceeds went to benefit the hungry in our local communities through the food programs provided by the Neighborhood Center. Thanks to all who joined us in support of this wonderful cause.
#emptybowls #mbicares
MBI was proud to be a sponsor at the The Rotary Club of DeLand's Barbecue Contest to benefit the Volusia/Flagler YMCA on Saturday. Contestants were competing in a blind tasting for the best pork ribs, ribeye steak and chili. Thanks to all who participated for this wonderful cause.
#floridainfebruary #mbidirectmail
It was bittersweet this weekend as Team MBI supported Me Strong for the 11th and final Victory Lap. MBI has been a proud sponsor of this incredible organization for the past 8 years.
#mestrongdeland #mbicares
MBI held it's first ever employee BBQ Cook-Off today! Dave Brannon took home the 1st place trophy followed by Kenny Sauer (2nd Place) and Jim Grogan (3rd). Congratulations to our winners! Also, a huge thanks goes out to our guest judges James Disinger (Florida Barbeque Association Judge) and Craig Kimmel of Firehouse BBQ for coming out to our first ever MBI BBQ Cook-Off.
SUPPORT THE FIGHTERS. ADMIRING THE SURVIVORS. HONORING THE TAKEN. AND NEVER, EVER GIVING UP HOPE. MBI had another great turnout today as MBI employees showed their support to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Research.
#pinktober #beatcancer #breastcancerawarenessmonth #mbicares
MBI was recently recognized for outstanding work in several categories. When you want top notch quality and service, MBI is the premiere source for AWARD WINNING Print and Digital Solutions.
MBI was well represented today at the Rotary Club of DeLand’s 15th Annual Bowling for Literacy.
With a score of 2068 after three games, Team MBI took 3rd Place out of 30 teams.
The Rotary president, David Solar, expressed the club’s deep gratitude for MBI’s support of this effort.
MBI was selected as a winner in the 58th Anniversary In-house Design Awards. There were 6,500+ entries; MBI ranked in the top 10 percent, adding a new exquisite trophy to the growing collection on display at MBI. The “Giant Book of Adult Fun” was a quirky project that has caught the attention of everyone it has come in contact with. Congratulations to the team at MBI that brought this fun unique promotional book together - GREAT JOB!
Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!
MBI is a proud sponsor for this year's 9th Annual The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia Wine to Water fundraising event on August 2nd at 5pm. Please join us in supporting this cause. Funds raised by this event will benefit local families and individuals b paying their water bills and preventing homelessness.
#MBIPrintAndDigitalSolutions #MBICares #PreventHomelessness #WinetoWater #TheNeighborhoodCenter #lovelocal
Today MBI showed up in a big way for the arrival of the BIG RED BUS to donate blood. Thanks to all employees who participated in this great cause.
#MBICares #DonateBlood #BigRedBus #MBIPrintAndDigitalSolutions
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Printing Impressions magazine, producer of the annual Gold Ink Awards, announced that MBI Direct Mail, Inc has won a Silver Award for the entry, entitled Global Hope Annual Report in the Business and Annual Report Category.
#MBIPrintAndDigitalSolutions #GoldInk #AwardWinning #AwardWinningPrinter
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MBI would like to express a sincere thanks to the Nurses, Doctors, Grocery store employees, Warehouse Workers, First Responders, Delivery Drivers, Cleaners and other members of the essential workforce. These are the heroes who risk their health and safety to help keep our community safe and the world running. Please join MBI in honoring them by being a part of #GivingTuesdayNow. MBI will be giving away custom adjustable facemasks.
According to the recent bulletin from the USPS, a federal entity, all operations of commerce that support this essential governmental function such as the mailing and printing industry are also considered as essential. This includes MBI.
MBI will continue to operate business as usual and will continue to offer the best products with the best service in the industry.
We’re also mindful that you may have other needs to adapt to the current climate. Some of the solutions we’re offering to help support you in your time of need include but are not limited to:
1. Easy-to-use webinar solutions with training in place of canceled venues.
2. We have modified inbound call center scripting to encourage your responders to request an appointment.
3. We have prepared alternative communications to help you re-engage with your seminar registrants and re-direct either to webinar registrations or one-on-one appointments.
4. We are using our call center agents to assist in transitioning active seminar roster to either webinar registrations or one-on-one appointments.
5. We are offering digital campaigns that assist in obtaining a broader reach in tandem with your direct mail campaigns.
6. We are offering the best practices in lead nurturing, which includes email and SMS message reminders to support higher attendance.
The United States Postal Service has a dedicated COVID-19 Command Response leadership team that is focusing on employee, operational, business, and customer continuity during this unprecedented epidemic. We are dedicated to complying with the strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments.
Please be confident in knowing that all of us at MBI are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
MBI
The Printing Industries of America has announced MBI Direct Mail, Inc as a winner of the 2020 Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) awards program. The Best Workplace in the Americas award winners were evaluated on human resources benchmarking categories that recognize companies that embrace the most sought-after qualities for today's work environment: Communication & Culture, Employee Resources & Benefits, and Safety & Work Environment.
MBI brought home more accolades this weekend to put in the trophy case! Congratulations to the MBI Team on 6 Best of Category Awards, 5 Awards of Excellence and 6 Judges Awards.
We're always looking for a few good recruits! Click here to view our current Job Openings.
MBI Is proud to announce that Eva Sauer has been awarded her Certificate of Completion as a USPS Certified Direct Mail Professional. Congratulations Eva!
MBI has done it again! Printing Industries of America created the BWA awards to honor printing companies that provide a great workplace. MBI has been honored with the "Best Workplace in the Americas in 2019." Congratulations to Team MBI!!!
Print marketing is compelling, memorable, and engaging.
As people touch, hold, and even smell paper, they respond in a profoundly personal way.
While digital communication is booming, this has only enhanced the unique voice that print brings for any business. Millennials and Gen Z are very difficult crowds to reach digitally, with 63 percent using AdBlocker and 82 percent ignoring online banner ads. This trend toward tactile is stirring potential for many exciting creative opportunities.
Today, we’ll highlight four print marketing trends from 2018 to inspire you in the year to come.
Simplicity
The world is filled with chaos, and fundamentally, viewers long for a return to simplicity.
Minimalist designs offer the respite people crave. Minimalist designs include images with a clear, elegant purpose, maximizing white space and using layouts that are clean and authentic. Uncluttered visuals bring an honest, compelling point into focus in a quick and arresting way.
For years, TBWA Paris has been on a mission to advertise McDonald’s in the most minimalist ways possible. This started in 2013 with extreme close-up photos of food and followed with computer-icon-style pictograms featuring McDonald’s menu items reduced down to very spare illustrations. Many of these ads used no branding whatsoever: the point was that the food was so recognizable it didn’t need a label.
By 2017, McDonald’s had the food disappearing altogether, featuring top sellers like fries, McNuggets, or Big Mac cartons that were completely empty (apart from a few crumbs), because the food had already been devoured by famished customers.
Effective? Absolutely. These simple ads bypass the brain and go straight to the stomach.
Personalized Print Pieces
Print is already a highly personal medium, but advances in technology allow businesses to enjoy increased access to personalized posters, flyers, direct mail, and more.
If you want to impress, try gathering online data about customer preferences and include that in print.
Branding even the simplest products has also allowed companies to gain a more personal touch. For example, a local auto garage printed customized labels for its water bottles and offered complimentary water to customers while they waited.
Color
If you’ve ever painted a room, you know the significance even a slightly darker hue can bring. Color experts Pantone released color trends for 2018 with this advice:
If you want to look resourceful, employ blue and orange hues
If you want a playful tone, choose yellow
If you’re looking for something discreet, try pink
If you want more sophistication, choose gold
What if you want to reach a diverse crowd?
According to Pantone, rosy tones bring a palette that “reaches out and embraces many different cultures.” Pantone said in 2018, print marketing was trending away from pastels and toward bright, bold colors:
“Intense colors seem to be a natural application of our intense lifestyles and thought processes these days.”
Storytelling
Storytelling is not just for YouTube.
Print that tells a story can alleviate suspicion and make instant connections, especially with younger audiences.
A Spanish lollipop grabbed this edge with its “ant aversion” ad for Chupa Chups lollipops. While normally a company might bore viewers with guilt trips for sugar-free products, Chupa Chups chose a “visual story” to make their point.
In the print ad, a sticky sucker had been discarded on a rock slab near the lawn. Meanwhile, a triple-wide line of ants detoured around the candy, heading toward the grass. The headline, “It’s Sugar Free,” brought a resounding finale to this playful story.
Chupa Chups reminds us that print is at its best when it is used as an art. Use vibrant colors, minimalist designs, and personalized print pieces to grab their attention and tell your story this year.
Thank you to all of our customers, partners and friends for another successful year at MBI. We wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
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Our holiday hours will be as follows:
Christmas Eve: 8:00am-12noon
Christmas Day: Closed
New Years Eve: 8:00am-12noon
New Years Day: Closed
#MBIDirectMailDoneRight #MarketingByInnovation #HappyHolidays #HolidayHours
It's Coming.
MBi is proud to announce some new winning additions that were received at the #FloridaPrintAwards. Included were 13 Best of Category, 5 Awards of Excellence, 4 Judges Awards and a 2018 Premier Print Award from the Printing Industries of America. Congratulations Team MBi!
MBI Direct Mail is proud to announce that we’ve partnered with Textium to bring you MBI Mobile Solutions. With a disconnect between direct mail and today’s digital consumer, there has been growing pressure for the direct mail industry to find a solution. MBI Mobile Solutions powered by Textium allows the precision of texting to be added to any direct mail campaign. If you’re a marketing company looking for top notch creative, fast turnaround and responsive direct mail, you should consider MBI Mobile Solutions. Please contact your MBI Account Manager today for more information.
MBi is proud to announce the latest additions to our trophy case... On March 3rd MBi was awarded the "Impact Award" and "The People's Choice Award" at the American Advertising Awards Gala (The ADDYs).
MBI has received another prestigious award: Printing Industries of America created the BWA awards to honor printing companies that provide a great workplace. MBI has been honored with the "Best Workplace in the Americas in 2018.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DeLand, FL] - [December 2, 2016] - MBI, Inc of DeLand, Florida has been awarded the designation, Best Workplace in the Americas 2016, for its exemplary human resources practices. Printing Industries of America created the BWA awards to specifically honor printing companies that provide a superior work environment.
A panel of highly respected HR print industry professionals judged the applicants on eight criteria: Management Practices; Work Environment; Training and Development Opportunities; Financial Security; Workplace Health and Safety; Work-Life Balance; Recognition and Rewards; and Health and Wellness Programs.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the industry as a company that offers a superior workplace,” said Jim Grogan, CEO.
Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America, agrees. “Best Workplace in the Americas winners routinely recognize that success is generated in many ways, and importantly, through their employees. Congratulations to MBI.”
For more information about the Best Workplace in the Americas Awards, contact Adriane Harrison at 412-259-1707 or see www.printing.org/bwa.
Physical
Unlike your Website, direct mail is an “active” format. Customers may find their way to your website, but a direct mail piece in their mailbox is a tap on the shoulder that online-only activities can’t deliver. E-mails can get overlooked in a crowded inbox. Plus, consumers are conditioned not to open e-mails from unknown senders for fear of viruses or other technical catastrophes. And direct mail won’t get caught in a spam filter.
Tactile
There’s something to be said for appealing to the senses. Direct mail delivers a tactile sensation that online activity can’t. You can feel a mail piece in your hands. You can hear an envelope or tab tear open. You can see the images and key messages on the printed page. The physical nature of direct mail forces customers to take note.
Targeted
At its best, direct mail is targeted to the customers most likely to respond. The creative can be tailored to different lists - best customers, lapsed customers, new prospects. You can target customers based on specific activities and micro-segment prospects. The more targeted the message and the list, the better the response.
Varied
Direct mail offers a wealth of format options. Depending on the segment and on what you are asking the recipient to do, a postcard, self-mailer or three-dimensional package get results. Direct mail doesn’t have to be solely about getting a sale. For instance, how are you thanking customers? Marketers that send a “thank you” mailing to their best customer segment add significant incremental sales without overtly promoting a sale.
Measurable
One of the key reasons direct mail remains a viable channel is that you can test hypotheses and measure results. While metrics are getting better for online efforts, direct mail still reigns supreme on testing, measurement and analytics.
Personalized
There is something magical about seeing your name in print. And when a name is cleverly incorporated into a mail piece, the result can be increased sales. Personalization techniques can include working the recipient’s name into a headline, or calling attention to products he or she has previously purchased.
Effective
Direct mail works - period. A recent “Exact Target” study conducted by Ball State University revealed that while e-mail plays a vital role in marketing communications, direct mail is still a dominant, prominent purchase driver for different types of customers. In some cases, 70% to 90% of survey respondents made a purchase based on receiving direct mail - for all age groups.