Direct marketers interested in postal reform need to create their own legislative advocates if they want to see changes happen.

That was the message Chris Bradley, president and CEO of Cuddledown Inc. gave attendees at the New England Mail Order Association fall conference yesterday in Portsmouth, NH.

Earlier this year, Bradley organized a group of Maine companies — including mail order firms, magazine printers, photographers, paper companies and lettershops — that are affected by high postal rates to address the issue.

So far, the group has met with Congressman Tom Allen and Senator Susan Collins to educate the legislators about the issue. Each time, at least 23 companies were present at the meeting. Bradley noted that these companies represented over 16,000 Maine jobs and perhaps more importantly to the elected officials, over 16,000 potential voters.

The results of the efforts have been favorable so far, said Bradley. DMers now have two more advocates for postal reform in Washington, and the group has also had a follow-up meeting with a senior staff member of the House Committee on Government Reform. And in July, Collins introduced a bill that would establish a presidentially appointed postal commission.

Bradley said that in August, a similar group in New Hampshire met with Sen. John Sununu. A grassroots effort is also starting in Vermont; DMers in that state will meet with their Congressional delegates in January to plead the case for postal reform.

As for the other New England states, Bradley encouraged marketers in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts to take up the cause, offering $100 Cuddledown gift certificates to anyone present at NEMOA who would organize such an effort.

Direct marketers interested in postal reform need to create their own legislative advocates if they want to see changes happen.

That was the message Chris Bradley, president and CEO of Cuddledown Inc. gave attendees at the New England Mail Order Association fall conference yesterday in Portsmouth, NH.

Earlier this year, Bradley organized a group of Maine companies — including mail order firms, magazine printers, photographers, paper companies and lettershops — that are affected by high postal rates to address the issue.

So far, the group has met with Congressman Tom Allen and Senator Susan Collins to educate the legislators about the issue. Each time, at least 23 companies were present at the meeting. Bradley noted that these companies represented over 16,000 Maine jobs and perhaps more importantly to the elected officials, over 16,000 potential voters.

The results of the efforts have been favorable so far, said Bradley. DMers now have two more advocates for postal reform in Washington, and the group has also had a follow-up meeting with a senior staff member of the House Committee on Government Reform. And in July, Collins introduced a bill that would establish a presidentially appointed postal commission.

Bradley said that in August, a similar group in New Hampshire met with Sen. John Sununu. A grassroots effort is also starting in Vermont; DMers in that state will meet with their Congressional delegates in January to plead the case for postal reform.

As for the other New England states, Bradley encouraged marketers in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts to take up the cause, offering $100 Cuddledown gift certificates to anyone present at NEMOA who would organize such an effort.