Send2Press Newswire

Ballantine Corporation Releases Direct Mail Format Report

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:43:39 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Jan. 30 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a full-service direct mail production company, announces the release of their 2008 Direct Mail Format Report. With the recent postage increase, deciding on effective direct mail formats is financially important to a company's well being.

That's why the Ballantine Corporation surveyed their marketing contacts and clients and asked them what direct mail formats they plan to test in 2008 and why.

"The results revealed a wide array of responses that we want to share with industry peers," Ryan Cote, Director of Marketing for The Ballantine Corporation, said. "We hope that this report will provide marketing professionals with an insider's view of what formats are popular right now."

A range of companies were surveyed that included, but were not limited to: financial services, publishing, automotive, association, travel, non-profit, and more.

One interesting direct mail format prediction for 2008 was the use of hybrid voucher packages. They are continuing to grow in popularity; have proven to be low-cost direct mail vehicles; and have evolved over time.

Other companies plan to try new direct mail formats in addition to traditional and reliable ones. Some new formats hope to increase customer interaction and boost response.

Is the #10 package still a popular item? How is the double postcard faring? Is the voucher package still paying off? These and many other questions will be addressed in this direct mail format report.

One publishing company revealed that their 8 1/2 x 11 poly control was killing them on postage and they were seeking alternatives. Another company said that they were planning to test variations of their voucher control including the carrier, the offer and buckslip.

Overall, the results were both predictable and surprising. To learn more, a comprehensive chart outlines the results, at-a-glance, and includes percentage information about who's testing what. Links to current USPS domestic and international rates are also included.

Founded in 1966, The Ballantine Corporation has evolved from offering print production services to also providing mailing, creative and one-to-one marketing solutions.

Read the full report at: www.ballantine.com/formatreport2008.html.

Copyright © 2008 Send2Press® Newswire, a unit of Neotrope®
TAGS: Send2Press Newswire, The Ballantine Corporation, Direct Mail Format Report

New Printing and Mailing Blog Provides Direct Mail Tips and Information

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:14:47 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Jan. 7 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a full-service direct mail production company, announces the launch of a new printing and mailing blog that contains a variety of direct mail information, tips, news, case studies, and more.

The printing and mailing blog (ballantine.com/blog/), launched in the summer of 2007, has grown in size and content.

"We started the blog to easily communicate with our industry peers who are Web 2.0 savvy," Ryan Cote, Director of Marketing for The Ballantine Corporation, said. "It's been a great tool and the majority of postings are related to direct marketing news and tips."

A recent posting to the blog discusses a survey released by B-to-B-Magazine that indicates direct mail spending will increase in 2008 and will be used with both online and email marketing to yield an effective and integrated marketing plan.

Other topics include: how to prevent offsetting on direct mail pieces; a revived #10 direct mail voucher package; and how to tweak double postcards to increase cash orders.

In addition, bloggers can visit the site to receive updates on postal rates for 2008; the latest in integrated marketing techniques; headline direct marketing news; and more.

The printing and mailing blog also links bloggers to case studies so they may learn about what their industry peers are doing - what's working and what's not.

The blog's post categories are varied. In addition to case studies and direct marketing news and tips, other categories include, but are not limited to: Ballantine news and press releases; creative tips and advice; and printing news. There is even an area for marketers who are concerned about the environment. They can post information about ways to conserve and recycle materials and discuss other concerns related to the green scene under "Going Green."

And, for direct mail marketing professionals who would like to know how their direct mail holiday campaign stacked up to their peers, Ballantine has released their Holiday 2007 Direct Marketing Industry Report which can be downloaded from their blog.

Founded in 1966, The Ballantine Corporation has evolved from offering print production services to also providing mailing, creative and one-to-one marketing solutions.

For more information on Ballantine, visit: www.Ballantine.com.

Copyright © 2008 Send2Press® Newswire, a unit of Neotrope®
TAGS: Send2Press Newswire, The Ballantine Corporation, printing and mailing blog

Ballantine Corporation Releases Holiday 2007 Direct Marketing Industry Report

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:37:42 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Nov. 13 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a full-service direct mail production company, has polled marketing contacts to determine how their direct mail holiday campaigns are going. While still underway, many companies are able to report preliminary findings to gauge their overall success.

Companies surveyed were as varied as responses received. They included: publishing, retail, television, financial services, direct mail consulting, real estate, business services, heavy machinery, personal care, and promotional advertising.

So, what's hot and what's not? According to several contacts surveyed, holiday greeting cards are a great way to keep in touch with clients and to nurture strategic relationships.

Other effective direct mail tactics included updating packages with cross-sell opportunities, and refining list selection for more focused targeting. E-mail also complemented many direct mail campaigns.

Companies that have realized a decline in their direct mail marketing responses share their thoughts on this as well. One consulting company, for example, speculated that the power of the Internet usurps direct mail response for some of their clients.

In addition, some companies do not do direct mail campaigns at all during the holidays. In fact, 30 percent of the companies surveyed do not. For one financial services company, direct mail marketing offers are inducted post-holiday season when response rates are likely to improve.

"The information gathering was a learning process," Ryan Cote, Director of Marketing for Ballantine Corporation, said. "Overall, the results were positive for companies who send out holiday direct mail marketing campaigns and the use of e-mail seems to be working well when combined with these direct mail efforts."

Founded in 1966, the Ballantine Corporation (www.ballantine.com) has evolved from offering print production services to also providing mailing, creative and one-to-one marketing solutions.

To download a free copy of the full report, go to:
www.ballantine.com/holidayreport2007.html.

Copyright © 2007 Send2Press® Newswire, a unit of Neotrope®
TAGS: Send2Press Newswire, The Ballantine Corporation, Holiday 2007 Direct Marketing Industry Report

Ballantine Launches Successful Personal URL Campaign for The Blood-Horse Magazine

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:41:00 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Aug. 14 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a full-service direct mail production company based in New Jersey, is excited to announce a new client service - personal URLs; clients have reported success.

A recent success story involves The Blood-Horse magazine, a publication devoted to international thoroughbred racing and breeding. They launched a campaign to pre-register subscribers to a "subscriber only" web site (www.BloodHorseNow.com). View an example of the personal URL (PURL) landing page at: ballantine.com/images/bloodhorse.png.

"We sent out 21,500 mail pieces to current subscribers and our conversion rate was impressive and above expectations," Monica Marrs, Circulation Marketing Manager for The Blood-Horse, explained.

Here are some stats: 8.73 percent of subscribers registered; 10.3 percent visited their PURL; and 84.7 percent that visited their PURL, signed up.

"We're really excited for The Blood-Horse and the success they had with their PURL," Ryan Cote, Director of Marketing at Ballantine said. "Personal URLs, depending on the audience's demographics, can be a powerful response vehicle to add to a direct mail campaign."

Personal URLs, a form of one to one marketing, are domain names that contain the recipient's first and last name. When clicked on, it will take the party to a personalized landing page. The client can swap out images and blocks of copy; include a survey for gathering important data; pre-populate an order form with the person's details to help increase conversion rate; all with real-time response tracking.

Personal URLs can be included on variable data mail pieces for maximum personalization, or on generic mail pieces to help boost response.

Helping to build strong customer relationships, or prospect for new customers, personal URLs are a great way to integrate direct mail with online communication.

The direct mail production experts at Ballantine will work with their clients to create highly-personalized, data-driven personal URL direct mail campaigns that increase response rates, turn prospects into customers, and lost customers into rejuvenated sales.

Founded in 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a third-generation family-owned business that continues to keep up with the times and the evolving technology of today's fast-paced, modern working culture.

To view samples of personal URLs (PURLs) and to learn how they can contribute to more effective one to one marketing, visit: ballantine.com/integrated_marketing.html.

Copyright © 2007 Send2Press® Newswire, a unit of Neotrope®
TAGS: Send2Press Newswire, The Blood-Horse Magazine, The Ballantine Corporation

Ballantine and DME Host Free One-to-One Marketing Thought Leadership Breakfast

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:21:00 GMT

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Apr. 25 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In cooperation with Xerox and XMPie, on May 22, direct marketing experts, Ballantine and DME, are hosting a free one-to-one marketing thought leadership breakfast in New York City at the New York Merchandising Mart Building - 41 Madison Avenue - from 8:30 to 11:30.

Getting marketing messages noticed and generating responses will be the main focus of the free seminar. Thought-provoking techniques for developing personalized and relevant communication by merging variable data with digital color will be shared.

"It's all about knowing your customer and earning their business," Alin Jacobs of DME, explained.

Jacobs, a 22-year direct marketing veteran, and Vice President Strategies and Partnerships at DME, is one of the key speakers. His extensive knowledge of one-to-one marketing; variable data; digital printing; and web-based communications has been crucial to the execution of a variety of his client programs for companies such as Toyota, Harrah's, Fairfield Resorts and Microsoft.

In addition to numerous awards for his creative direction in print and multi-media, Jacobs is regularly sought after, internationally, to speak on a variety of direct marketing topics.

Robert Wagner of Xerox, another key speaker, will showcase and discuss thought-provoking, real-world digital printing examples. These examples will demonstrate how to generate one-to-one marketing campaigns that are effective and compelling.

"The more people who understand how they can use today's variable data solutions," Jacobs, said, "the better it is for the overall direct marketing industry."

Along with actionable ideas such as integrating direct mail with personalized URLs and variable data emails into a communication strategy, several attendees will also leave with one of the many sponsor-donated prizes.

Ballantine (www.ballantine.com) has been in business for over 40 years; they are a full-service production company that provides a wide range of direct marketing services to medium and large-sized companies, nationwide.

DME (www.dmenet.com) is a high-tech lead generation solutions provider with a proven track record for developing integrated, multi-channel communication strategies that drive customer traffic and increase lifetime customer value.

Attendance is limited. To sign up, visit: www.marketingandmuffins.com, or call Ryan Cote at: 973-305-1500, ext. 206.

Texr prepared by Send2Press for the news soource: The Ballantine Corporation.

Copyright © 2007 Send2Press® Newswire, a unit of Neotrope®
TAGS: Send2Press Newswire, The Ballantine Corporation, DME direct marketing

Ballantine Gives Back to the Business Community with Direct Mail Marketing Tips

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Direct Mail Marketing Tips eCourse Launched by Ballantine

WAYNE, N.J. - Mar. 7 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation (www.ballantine.com) today announced the release of a free, email marketing course that provides people with direct mail marketing tips that can be applied to their direct mail campaigns.

The company, which has been in business for over 40 years, wanted to give something back to the business community; they decided to gather together their resources and knowledge to create this free email course.

The course runs for eight weeks and provides a total of eight tips - one tip each week. Direct mail marketing tips are emailed to people during this time and the course is purely educational.

The tips are broken out into four categories. They are: copywriting, creative, print production, and one-to-one marketing. Each week, a unique and practical direct mail marketing tip is provided. Tips include: the 13 most powerful words in direct mail marketing; how to use photography to enhance your creative; a proven way to boost response; the key to cutting direct mail costs; and more.

After the eight weeks, businesses should be able to adapt much of what they have learned to their own direct mail marketing efforts. If they wish to learn more, additional options are available that include some surprise features.

"There is really something for everyone," Thomas C. Cote, president and owner of The Ballantine Corporation, said. "We want to share our knowledge with tips that run the gamut so everyone can benefit."

Ballantine is a full-service direct mail marketing company and a family-owned business. Founded in 1966 by Thomas J. Cote, his brother, Charles, joined in 1968. For the first 24 years, Ballantine offered prepress and print production services. Since then, they have added mailing and creative services, and most recently, one-to-one marketing solutions.

Charles' son, Thomas C., and his brother John, took over the reigns after Thomas J. and Charles retired.

"As the third generation of Cotes has now entered the business, we are well positioned for growth that keeps pace with the evolving technology and business environment of the 21st century," Mr. Cote said.

To learn more about these free direct mail marketing tips, visit: ballantine.com/directmailmarketingtips.html.

Text prepared by Send2Press on behalf of the news source.

Ballantine Adds One-to-One Marketing to its Roster of Direct Mail Services through New Partnership

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:00:00 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Jan. 9 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a New Jersey-based direct mail company, has recently formed a strategic alliance with direct marketing specialist, DME, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Ballantine is excited to announce the addition of personalized one-to-one marketing to its roster of direct-marketing solutions.

Ballantine clients will now gain the benefits of not only direct mail services, but of highly personalized, data-driven direct mail that will flawlessly integrate with other applications such as personalized URLs and Web sites, broadcast e-mails, multimedia applications (including CD-ROM and video hosting) and call center services.

DME has helped pioneer today's boom of digital print and one-to-one communications. Ballantine plans to maintain that same level of cross-media marketing excellence.

"Working with DME to add one-to-one marketing personalization to our direct mail services was a natural progression," Thomas C. Cote, President of Ballantine, said. "The technology is fascinating and we are impressed with DME's success in increasing the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns."

The new partnership offers the perfect balance of traditional expertise and modern innovation.

"This partnership has opened Ballantine's doors to a whole new realm of possibilities," Alin Jacobs, DME's Vice President of Creative Strategies, said. "DME was fortunate to identify the need for variable digital print and cross-media services early on and we're happy to be able to offer our skills to Ballantine and its customers."

Established in 1966, Ballantine has a long-standing industry reputation for offering creative, print production and mailing services to its family of clients, including The Economist, Smithsonian Magazine, Dow Jones, Stamps.com, American Banker, U.S. News & World Report and Motley Fool. Ballantine brings a full plate of direct marketing benefits to the table including strong project support and aggressive pricing.

DME got its start in 1982 and quickly expanded beyond direct mail to incorporate variable data programming into its applications, making it a single source solution for creative development, database management, variable programming, digital and offset printing, Web development, video production, telecom fulfillment and timely delivery via an on-site postal hub.

DME's clientele includes Toyota, AutoNation, Fairfield Resorts, Walt Disney World Resorts, Harrah's and Microsoft.

For more information on The Ballantine Corporation, its full-service direct mail capabilities, and the power of one-to-one marketing, visit: www.ballantine.com/integrated_marketing.html

All trademarks acknowledged.

Text provided by the news source.

Direct Mail Marketing Company Ballantine Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:42:00 GMT

WAYNE, N.J. - Nov. 9 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Ballantine Corporation, a family-owned direct mail marketing company, is proud to announce their 40th anniversary in the direct marketing industry. Ballantine, based in Wayne, N.J., is a full-service direct mail marketing company that provides creative copy and design, print production, mailing services and one-to-one data-driven solutions to their clients.

Steeped in family history, Thomas J. Cote founded Ballantine in 1966 and his brother Charles joined two years later. Charles' son, Thomas C. Cote, joined the company in 1978, followed by Tom's brother, John. When Tom J. and Charles retired, Tom C. and John stepped up to the plate.

For the first 24 years, Ballantine offered pre-press and print production services. Starting in 1990, the company added additional capabilities that included creative copy and design, mailing services and one-to-one marketing solutions, making them a one-stop shopping solution for their client's direct marketing needs.

"It is our mission," Thomas C. Cote, president and co-owner of Ballantine, said, "to encourage clients to delegate their entire printing and mailing projects to us. Our clients can then focus on other responsibilities."

Ballantine has enjoyed working with top-notch companies over the years that include: Columbia House, Scholastic, AOL, The Economist, Smithsonian Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and many more.

During Mr. Cote's 30 years with the company, he has had the opportunity to see direct mail go through many changes.

"Fortunately," Mr. Cote said, "Ballantine has been able to grow and adapt to these changes and provide a consistently high level of service to our clients."

Ballantine has maintained their excellent reputation over the past 40 years by becoming partners with their clients and applying their expert skills and knowledge to every project.

"We like to say it's been 40 years of handshakes, partnerships, and success," John Cote, co-owner, Ballantine said.

And now, as the Cote family's third generation enters into the business, they are poised for growth that keeps pace with the evolving technology and business environment of the direct marketing industry.

Ballantine provides an array of benefits to their clients including experienced project support and aggressive pricing; the company has built a reputation throughout the industry that is synonymous with technical proficiency and workflow efficiency.

For more information, visit: www.ballantine.com.