Starved for good news? Here’s some: Last month, Cornerstone Brands awarded R.R. Donnelley a $100 million contract to print its catalogs.
That was the most upbeat item we had in our Direct Newsline e-letter for weeks, it seems. There’d been a run of layoff stories, including some about Donnelley and other printers.
Not that we’re trying to hype Donnelley, but a $100 million contract to do anything is big news these days. And we’re thrilled that Cornerstone will be sending out $100 million worth of print catalogs (not counting postage costs).
Here’s another positive tidbit: Over a third of all consumers will be ready to start spending when the recession lifts, according to Acxiom.
The number is higher than we expected, and it’s good news for retailers. Read about it on page 8 in The War Room, our news analysis section where you get updates on direct marketing trends and who’s doing what.
Meanwhile, the Montgomery Ward catalog is back. The company plans to start mailing a version of it as a brand-building exercise.
How wonderful. According to the late Cecil Hoge, Ward was launched in 1872 with a letter to the National Grange membership list: “At the Earnest Solicitation of Many Granges we have consented to open a House devoted to furnishing Farmers and Mechanics throughout the Northwest with all kinds of Merchandise at Wholesale prices.”
Some additional good tidings: In this issue, we celebrate the winners of the 2008 Database Excellence Awards. These honors are given every year during the NCDM conference run by Direct and the Direct Marketing Association.
The awards are unusual in that they celebrate the conceptual — the judges determine the winners based on complex strategy and execution. Congratulations to the winning marketers and their vendors.
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