"Hurricane Milton warning sign highlighting postal impacts, emphasizing preparedness for potential disruptions. Stay informed and safe during the hurricane season."
Link Enlarge

Prepare for Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida, with landfall anticipated in the Tampa area Wednesday night. The storm is predicted to be very large and powerful, impacting western, central, and eastern Florida.  Hurricane Milton is forecasted to bring unprecedented flooding and high winds, which will cause property damage, road closures, and electrical outages.

What We Know Now – Logistics & Post Offices

The hurricane will impact the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages throughout Florida. Please allow additional time for the final delivery of your campaigns.

What To Do

Contact your Account Representative directly if you need assistance or have any questions about your mailings.

Check the USPS Service Alerts page for any postal delay, closing, or re-opening reports in areas affected by Hurricane Milton.

You may also check this page for updated logistics transportation changes as they become available.

We wish for safety and speedy recovery for all impacted by the hurricanes. 

Share This
Hurricane Helene impacts: A stormy sky with swaying palm trees, highlighting potential postal delays and the urgency of preparation.
Link Enlarge

Hurricane Helene: Prepare for Postal Delays

Hurricane Helene news graphic highlighting postal impacts, featuring dark stormy sky and palm trees, relevant for understanding storm's effects on mailing services.Hurricane Helene will land in Florida’s Big Bend area. The strong winds, driving rain, and storm surge will impact nearly all of Florida. As the storm moves inland Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee will feel the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Significant power outages and flooding will impact local post offices and mail delivery throughout this region. We’re wishing all those affected safety and a speedy recovery.

What We Know Now – Logistics & Post Offices

The storm will impact the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for the final delivery of your items.

What To Do

Contact your Account Representative directly if you need assistance or have any questions about your mailings.

Check the USPS Service Alerts page for any postal delay, closing, or re-opening reports in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

You may also check this page for updated logistics transportation changes as they become available.

 

You may also check this page for updated logistics transportation changes as they become available.

Share This
image of stormy sky with text overlay reading: Hurricane Francine Postal Impacts
Link Enlarge

How Hurricane Francine is Impacting Postal Services

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana as a Category 2 on Wednesday, September 11. The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm but has resulted in significant power outages and flooding. These are impacting local post offices and mail delivery. We’re wishing all those affected safety and a speedy recovery.

What We Know Now – Logistics & Post Offices

The storm is impacting the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for the final delivery of your items.

What To Do

Contact your Account Representative directly if you need assistance or have any questions.

Check the USPS Service Alerts page for any postal delay, closing, or re-opening reports in areas affected by Hurricane Francine. You may also check this page for updated logistics transportation changes as they become available.

 

Share This
Mailbox on side of a rural road with a headline that reads Register for the USPS Webinar: Potential Rural Mail Service Impacts
Link Enlarge

ACT NOW to Protect Rural Mail Delivery Time

The United States Postal Service unveiled its latest proposal to save money by reducing truck trips and slowing service to rural customers.

You can find out more – and potentially speak and ask questions – by attending the “USPS Pre-Filing Conference” via Zoom on Thursday, September 5 from 1pm -3pm ET. Space is limited and the registration deadline is September 3rd so sign up asap.

Insights from Stephen Kearney, Executive Director of The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers:

“The proposal is driven entirely by the Postal Service’s goal to make its network more efficient for packages and mail. A large part of the estimated $2.8 to $3.3 billion in annual savings would be from the ‘Regional Transportation Initiative’ that would eliminate picking up mail in the evening from many rural post offices, adding another day’s delivery time to mostly First-Class Mail.

The first regulatory step is a remote “pre-filing conference” where a panel of USPS staff will explain their proposal, answer questions, and sometimes respond to comments.

In a sense, this is not a surprise. We had heard something like this was coming. More importantly, this action is another natural response to an agency mandated to operate as a self-funding business under a statutory monopoly with a weak regulator. This is USPS operating more like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS than a government agency attempting to serve all Americans well and equally.

USPS leadership wants to improve service for anyone near a processing facility while diminishing it for rural citizens and the mailers that interact with them.”

MMI Direct and members of The PMG Family will be attending the USPS Pre-Filing Conference on September 5 to learn more and express our concerns. Please join us!

Share This
Map showing the projected path and postal impacts of Hurricane Beryl across the southern United States, highlighting affected areas and alerts.
Link Enlarge

Hurricane Beryl Postal Impacts

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday, July 8th on Texas’ Gulf Coast as a Category 1 storm resulting in mass power outages with impacts to local post offices and mail delivery. We’re wishing all those impacted safety and a speedy recovery.

What We Know Now – Logistics & Post Offices

Beryl as well as other weather events in the South, Southeast, and Central U.S. are impacting the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for final delivery of your item.

What To Do

Check this page often as we will update any logistics transportation changes as they become available and check the USPS Service Alerts page for any postal delay, closing or re-opening reports in affected areas of Hurricane Beryl as it moves through the mid-west.

Contact your MMI Direct Account Representative directly if you need assistance or have any questions.

Share This
Discover USPS promotions to help offset 2023 postage increases, maximizing savings for businesses and personal mailing strategies.
Link Enlarge

Leverage USPS Promotions to Offset 2023 Postage Increases

Offset Postage Expense by Using USPS Promotions

There are two promotions that just began February 1 and run until July 31. We believe the most advantageous choice for nonprofits and commercial mailers is the Tactile, Sensory, and Interactive promotion. Mailers can achieve up to a 5% discount on postage for using various techniques that enhance the mailing, engage the senses – and get the donors and buyers to interact! From various stocks, coatings, even affixed member cards – there are a variety of techniques that may qualify.

  • Sensory treatments could include metallic inks and or colors that change in UV light. Think shine!
  • Tactile could include added textures such as embossing, varnishes, scents, or holographic effects. Think touch or scent!
  • Interactive can include complex folds, zip strips, and affixed cards!

The other promotion is the Personalized Color Transpromo. However, it is a bit more niche, as it is only for First-Class Mail presort and automation letters containing bills and statements and making use of digital variable technology. This promotion has also begun, and runs until July 31. The USPS provides upfront discounts up to 3%-4%; 3% to mailers who use dynamic and variable color print for personalized, transpromotional marketing messages on their bills and statements that do not include CRM or BRM and 4% discount for CRM or BRM inclusion.

The next upcoming promotion which will run from May 1- November 30, is the Emerging Technology promotion, which now includes Mobile Shopping. It can be as simple as placing a qualifying QR code on your mailing that leads to a donation page or as exciting as augmented or virtual reality! The postage discount ranges from 3-4%, depending on the technique that is used.

We expect more information on the new Reply Mail IMbA and Retargeting promotions, and the updated guidelines for the 2023 Informed Delivery promotion to be released soon!

As always, MMI Direct is here to help you realize the best savings possible. Please let us know if we can answer any questions  or assist in any way.

Share This
Sunset over a serene landscape with palm trees, highlighting the news that USPS mail delivery operations have resumed for mailers.
Link Enlarge

Good News for Mailers: USPS Resumes Operations

Mail Delivery Resumes to Several Zip Codes in South Florida

It’s been four months since Hurricane Ian devastated southern Florida. As the areas on the Gulf Coast continue to rebuild the USPS has announced that it will begin to accept Marketing Mail letters and flats at several post offices. Mailers have been suppressing addresses in these regions from their data files to prevent Marketing Mail from arriving in the impacted areas, but no more.

Beginning Saturday, February 4, 2023, commercial and nonprofit mailers can send Marketing Mail to the following South Florida zip codes:

  • Bokeelia – 33922-9998
  • Captiva – 33924-9800
  • Fort Myers (Downtown) – 33901-9998
  • Fort Myers Beach – 33931-9998
  • Pineland – 33945-9800
  • Placida – 33946-9998
  • Saint James City – 33956-9998
  • Sanibel – 33957-9998
  • Everglades City – 34139-9800
  • Naples (Downtown) – 34102-6706

We’re here to help you resume your mail delivery to south Florida. Please reach out if you need assistance adding these zip codes back to your mail plan. 

Share This
Yellow envelope with a Direct Mail Trend Report inside, highlighting key insights and trends for direct mail marketing in 2021 and beyond.
Link Enlarge

Direct Mail Trends for Remainder of 2021 and Beyond

Direct Mail Trends We’re Watching: Postage, Delivery Performance, Paper and More

direct-mail-trends-2021-beyond reportMMI Direct and the PMG family are monitoring several critical industry trends as we enter the fall mailing season:

Postage:

New postage rates go into effect August 29, 2021. Commingling rate increases are compounded by rising fuel costs, truck driver and transportation shortages and a persistent labor shortage. Yet increases for non-commingled mail are even higher.

Our colleagues at MailSmart Logistics highly recommend an initial Postal Logistics review to uncover any cost savings in your mailing program. Increasing commingling volumes to achieve the best rate possible is one of the easiest ways to save on postage, especially now.

A package design review may also reveal opportunities to modify the weight and thickness of your “flat” mailings and move into a less expensive letter rate package that can commingle versus more costly drop shipping. Freight costs are increasing significantly for drop shipping.

Mailers can also save 2% on postage this fall by participating in the USPS Informed Delivery Promotion effective September 1 – November 30, 2021.

Mail Delivery Performance:

In a recent USPS Industry Alert, service delivery performance data for July 1st – August 12th showed steady improvement across First-Class, Marketing and Periodical mail categories from the 3rd quarter ending June 30:

  • First-Class Mail: Delivered 88.8 % of First-Class Mail on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of 1.3% from the third quarter.
  • Marketing Mail: Delivered 92.6% of Marketing Mail on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of 1.6% from the third quarter.
  • Periodicals: Delivered 82.4% of Periodicals on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of 3.1% from the third quarter.

Our supplier partners are reporting performance levels of client mail slightly below the USPS reported data, most likely due to the limited amount of mail included in the USPS measurement.

The USPS is trumpeting its service level improvements but is now officially slowing delivery of mail. On August 6, the Postal Service announced its plan to move ahead with lengthening the service standards for almost 40 percent of First Class Mail and 7 percent of Periodicals Mail beginning next month. Deteriorating service will most likely have a negative impact on mailer volumes and USPS revenue. Through pressure from Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, The Nonprofit Alliance and other industry groups, we hope this misguided decision will be reversed.

Paper & Materials:

Paper shortages, delivery delays and price increases continue. Paper allocations remain very strict through at least October. On-the-floor inventory at our suppliers is depleted. Paper producers are eliminating some paper grades and transitioning to packaging grades in some instances, while other mills are closing permanently. Meanwhile increased demand, increased shipping costs and ongoing staffing shortages are driving up prices.

Environmental-spec papers like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) stocks are limited. Clients that require these environmental certifications on their mail pieces limit alternative paper sourcing options. Some organizations are dropping their logo requirements temporarily to allow more flexibility in substitute stocks.

Suppliers that focus on coated stocks expect another paper cost increase of 5-7% this year, with at least two increases projected for 2022. One of our leading suppliers in offset paper stocks expects price increases of 8-9% by the end of 2022.

Suppliers are also seeing rising costs for other materials, including pigments and chemicals used in ink, polybag substrate, fuel and freight. Cost increases of at least 5% are expected in 2022 across these categories of materials.

Despite shortages and cost increases, demand for printing is high. Many of our suppliers are operating at capacity. Labor shortages and the threat of Covid/Delta Variant outbreaks could further impact schedules and lead times. Last minute drop-in projects often can’t be scheduled, so long-term planning, ample lead times and sticking to art and data schedules are critical.

Overseas Production:

Though ocean freight costs continue to rise, our suppliers’ relationships with ocean freight companies allow us access to containers when others cannot get them. These relationships contribute directly to our ability to meet our clients’ mail dates.

Flexibility in budgets is helpful when scheduling is the priority. Switching to a faster yet slightly more expensive production process, for example, jet printing envelopes instead of using flexo, can help meet your mailing deadlines.

MMI Direct and the entire PMG family are constantly finding ways to keep your direct marketing programs on track despite all these challenges.

We will continue to advise you on how these trends may impact your project budgets and schedules this fall and into 2022.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. As always, we’re here to help!

Share This
Image of USPS Business Reply Mail with IMb Accounting features, highlighting cost savings and no postage required for U.S. mail submissions.
Link Enlarge

USPS Introduces New Business Reply Mail Tool

Faster Delivery, Lower Costs and Better Tracking Are Available with the New Intelligent Mail barcode Accounting (IMbA™) for Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)

Business Reply Mail

MMI Direct uses Business Reply Mail® (BRM) campaigns with our wide range of clients to help boost response since donors don’t have to find and use a stamp to mail back their donation. BRM is easy to use, as a result we’re seeing more nonprofits testing and rolling out BRM campaigns during the pandemic, as older donors may not feel comfortable venturing out to buy stamps for their return envelopes.

Business Reply Mail® does have an additional cost, and sometimes delivery can be slower than stamped mail. That’s because BRM is manually handled once it’s received by the BRM Clerk at your local Post Office™ location. The BRM Clerk has to spot-count, weigh and rate your BRM, tally the various mail types, and then enter the information into the USPS® system for invoicing. This takes time, especially if mail volumes are high.

Our clients often see BRM delivery delays of 1-2 days compared to stamped, First-Class Mail® mailpieces because of this manual processing.

We’re happy to report that the USPS has launched a new application, called Intelligent Mail® Barcode Accounting (IMbA), which fully automates the process of Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM), speeding delivery, offering a deeper price discount and automated invoicing.

The Postal Service’s new IMbA accounting platform automates the invoicing of Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) for postcards and letters up to 2 oz.

The Intelligent Mail barcode Accounting (IMbA) application is a value-added service that provides more consistent and timely Business Reply Mail availability. IMbA participants will receive their mail earlier in the day, reducing float time with more efficient and effective mail processing. IMbA customers also have the convenience to view and download invoices from their PostalOne!®account.

QBRM is for cards and letters only. A ZIP+4® is provided for each mail type, and an Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb) is required. There are two prepaid return options available depending on projected return mail quantities: QBRM “Basic” and QBRM “High Volume.” QBRM “Basic” is best suited for customers whose return volume is approximately 613 letters or more, or 613 cards or more, expected annually. While QBRM “High Volume” is best suited for customers whose return volume is approximately 42,947 pieces or more quarterly or 171,786 pieces or more annually. Mailers can access their data through the Informed Visibility® feature and can review their invoices in PostalOne!®

We have several clients who are testing this new service with their fall and year-end mailings. The MMI Direct team is assisting them with the sign-up process. We are also working with USPS officials to promote this new program within the nonprofit community.

If you have any questions about this exciting, new QBRM service with IMbA, or need help getting started, please contact us. We’re eager to help.

Share This
Close-up of a postage stamp featuring the White House, illustrating the 2021 postage rate changes for budget preparation.
Link Enlarge

Prepare Your 2021 Postage Budget Now

Here’s what we know so far about the impending 2021 postage increases:

The U.S. Postal Service is expected to file its proposed postage rate increases at the Postal Regulatory Commission before October 13, which is the release date for the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.

The current CPI price cap is 1.458 percent, and applies to each class of mail. Individual rate cells may be higher or lower.

Close-up of a postage stamp featuring the White House, illustrating the 2021 postage rate changes for budget preparation.

According to Steve Kearney, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, the USPS has unused price cap capacity they could potentially add to the 1.458 percent cap in certain classes:

  • First Class Mail: 0.385 percent increase
  • USPS Marketing Mail (includes Nonprofit Mail): 0.049 percent increase
  • Periodicals: 0.000 percent increase
  • Package Services: 0.008 percent increase
  • Special Services: 0.007 percent increase

The 2021 rate increases may go into effect on January 31, 2021 which is the last Sunday of the month. However, the rate increases could go into effect a week earlier, on January 24, as there are five Sundays in that month. We will monitor this timing.

The PRC may also order new surcharges for the USPS in 2021; the amount and timing are uncertain.

As you prepare your 2021 mailing plan, you can download 2020 Postage Rate Chart from our colleagues at PMG and consider using a 5 percent increase for First Class and a 2 percent increase for Marketing (Third Class and Nonprofit) mail as a baseline for your budget.

We will continue to keep you informed of the USPS rate review process and will update our Postage Rate Chart once the new rates are approved.

In the meantime, if you have any questions as you prepare your 2021 postage budgets, please contact us. We know it’s complicated, and we’re eager to help!

Share This