Joe Schick
Director of Postal Affairs

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Joe's Blog:
Worldwide Postal Pursuits

Tuesday 9/22/2009

It might surprise you to know that Quad is formally involved with postal services around the world. Since we have print interests in Poland, Brazil and Argentina, building relationships, or at the very least having contacts with the Post in each country, is a requirement of doing business. Knowing that printed product/mail in each of those countries is also distributed to many other destinations in many other countries necessitates having some form of business connection with those Posts as well.

In the mid-90s, as we were beginning our first ventures outside the U.S., we hosted an international conference in the Dominican Republic for our clients who had an interest in expanding their marketing reach outside the U.S. The USPS joined us in that venture. Many Latin American and European Posts attended. At the same time, the USPS was working with some other Posts and a few private companies on a new organization called the Direct Mail Advisory Board (DMAB). This organization was created within the Universal Postal Union (UPU). We decided to join the group once we learned of the focus and goals of the DMAB (in simple terms to foster the growth of direct mail around the world); the companies and Posts involved; and the access through the UPU that we would have as members. With the exception of a few years earlier this decade, we have been members ever since. In fact, we are the only printer (U.S. or foreign) that is a member of the DMAB. That might be a nice gold star for Quad, but personally, I wish that was not the situation. Since getting things done in the confines of the UPU can be a very difficult task, having more support from our print brethren could only help the cause.

The DMAB became the first group within the UPU that had private companies and industry associations as its members. Up until that point in time, it was a postal-only establishment. Industry involvement was never a consideration in any matters impacting the world of postal. The DMAB changed that thinking, but it did not happen overnight. Unlike the USPS, the majority of postal services around the world had not embraced the concept of partnering with mail service providers and worksharing. That still is a work in progress, but the acceptance of private sector companies and the associations that represent them as contributors to the future of the posts has grown. That is proven out by the establishment of the Consultative Committee (CC).

The CC is a formal committee of the UPU and is made up of industry associations. Private companies cannot be members, but may attend and participate as delegates of the associations that represent them on the CC. Quad/Graphics participates through our memberships in PostCom, DMA and IMAG (International Mailers Advisory Group). The CC and the UPU overall are now focused on many of the same things that are critical to the USPS and our businesses domestically. That includes growing volumes and revenue; improving address quality, sustainability, quality of service and technology; and creating and maintaining standards.

We meet in the spring and fall each year in Berne, Switzerland, which is the headquarters of the UPU. It’s a unique opportunity to be a part of the development of direct mail outside the U.S. while at the same time helping to set the future agenda for the world’s posts.

Universal Postal Union (UPU) http://www.upu.int/

Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) with its Headquarters in Berne (Switzerland) is the primary forum for cooperation between postal-sector players and helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

With 191 member countries, this specialized agency of the United Nations fulfills an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and renders technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail volumes and to improve the quality of service for customers.

As a non-political organization, it does not interfere in matters that fall within the domestic domain of national postal services. For example, Posts set their own postage rates, decide which and how many postage stamps to issue, and how to manage their postal operations and staff.

The UPU has objectives to develop social, cultural and commercial communication between people through the efficient operation of the postal service. As an inter-governmental institution, the UPU is called upon to play an important leadership role in promoting the continued revitalization of postal services.

Direct Mail Advisory Board (DMAB) http://www.upu.int/dmab/en/index.shtml

The mission of the UPU Direct Mail Advisory Board (DMAB) is to "foster the growth of direct mail as a factor of economic and market expansion by increasing market knowledge and by developing the expertise of stakeholders at all levels." It was created in 1995 and reports to the UPU Postal Operations Council.

DMAB members understand the importance of the direct mail medium, and are an integral part of a strategy of global reach for the benefit of all stakeholders. What unites them is a common interest in fostering the growth of direct mail worldwide. The activities of the DMAB are financed by the contributions of its members.

Consultative Committee (CC) http://www.upu.int/consultative_committee/en/index.shtml

It consists of non-governmental organizations representing customers, delivery service providers, workers' organizations, suppliers of goods and services to the postal sector and other organizations that have an interest in international postal services, including direct marketers, private operators, international mailers and printers.