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Sunday, April 29, 2007

Success Magazine

Success

by Larry Dobrow, Tuesday, April 17, 2007
PRIOR TO A PAL'S bachelor party last weekend, my elite college clique of halfwits and beverage enthusiasts hadn't hung out en masse in a few years. Jobs, kids, flu pandemics... life gets complicated, y'know? Happily, after taking care of the basics -- leaving the bachelor's cell-phone number on the answering machines of Mr. Patches and every other Syracuse-area family clown, locating the emergency exits in the event that the exotic athletes looked as game-worn as they did on their Web site, etc. --we fell back into our old rhythms quite easily.

At some point during the weekend, it dawned on me: we're all reasonably happy and successful guys, and we've managed to notch our personal and professional achievements without mistreating others or selling out (wow, I just shredded a rotator cuff patting myself on the back. Did I mention that I'm short and gassy?). So a magazine like Success, which is one part motivational tract and one part Billy's-first-business primer, doesn't have a ton of appeal to my crew or, in all likelihood, to the Fortune/Forbes set. The mag's stories concentrate more on mindset than methodology, prioritizing feel-good affirmation (you can do it! go, you!) over actionable business information.

For fledgling sales-focused entrepreneurs, however, Success delivers one thing that most other titles don't: a plan of attack. By sitting down with a range of successful biz folks and asking them what works and what doesn't, Success outlines a career-development/sustenance trajectory in a way that's both intelligent and replicable. It doesn't traffic in fancy terminology or obscure theories, nor does it propose grandiose solutions to simple problems. Rather, it lays out what has worked for others in comparable situations and tells readers to make of it what they will.

Tonally, with its platitudes and randomly interspersed quotes from many a Bob (Hope and Dylan, natch), Success gives me the type of headache that usually follows massive sugar intake. The March/April issue serves up section titles that could have been poached from a Denise Austin video ("Motivate!") and rarely dwells on the negative. I'm curious: Have any of the mag's "Can This Business Succeed?" evaluations arrived at the conclusion of "hell, no"?

I also question whether its two "coaches" should be in the business of dishing out advice. Maybe I caught them during an off month, but Michael Shevak's response to a reader question decompensates into New-age prattle ("Everyone puts the work-life conflict in their [sic] own way: Hinduism speaks of 'working with detachment from fruits of your labor'"), while Ruben Gonzalez's spiel veers towards the comically obvious ("Focus on whether you are getting results. If not, change approaches. Be open to new ideas and information").

Still, I think the touchy-feely tone and power-o'-positive-thinkin' approach is appropriate for the material at hand. After all, the title isn't Succeed Unless You Encounter An Unexpected Obstacle, Like An Ill-Tempered Panda; it's Succeed, with the unspoken subtext of "unequivocally and on your own damn terms."

Keeping that in mind, the "Your Money & Your Life" series of stories that headline the March/April issue tackle a range of oft-discussed topics (efficiency, planning for the future) with how-to gusto, rather than anecdotal monotony. Equally didactic are the profiles of sports legends Larry Bird and Roger Staubach, both of whom know a thing or two about teamwork and sportsmanship and those other find-your-winner-within things. The Q&A with supposed "Bad Boy of Banking" and ING Direct prexy Arkadi Kuhlmann loses credibility owing to its "portions of this interview were reprinted" disclaimer (uh, OK -- which portions?), but it still relates more useful information about customer service than anything Entrepreneur has run in recent months.

I have a few other quibbles, like the overabundance of generic suited-guy-in-work-environment photos, but mostly Success succeeds successily, or something. Not that it faces particularly daunting competition, but it's the best magazine of its kind.

MAG STATS
Published by: Success Magazine
Frequency: Bimonthly (frequency increases to 10 issues in 2008 and 12 in 2009)
Advertising information (note: the promo video alone is worth the click, especially for the faux-reggae soundtrack)
Web site

Larry Dobrow (larry@mediapost.com) is a Contributing Writer. 

Magazine Rack for Tuesday, April 17, 2007:
http://publications.mediapost.com

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Forever Stamp: An Investment Strategy?

Forever Stamp on Sale Today to Ready Customers for May 14 Price Change

PHILADELPHIA, April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If it could ring, it would resonate freedom and independence from using one or two-cent stamps to mail letters when stamp prices change in the future. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) today introduced its latest consumer innovation by dedicating the Forever Stamp next to the patriotic icon it depicts. Featuring the Liberty Bell image and the word "forever," the Forever Stamp -- available nationwide today -- is good for mailing one-ounce First-Class Mail letters anytime in the future -- regardless of price changes.

"We are making history this morning," said USPS Board of Governors Vice Chairman Alan C. Kessler. "And what better place to make history than right here in Philadelphia -- the 'Cradle of Liberty,' -- alongside the Liberty Bell."

The Forever Stamp will always be available at the price of a First-Class Mail stamp in effect at the time of purchase. To introduce the stamp to the public, the Postal Service is offering the stamp today at 41 cents. Customers may use the stamp as soon as they wish, but stamp prices will not change until May 14. When prices change in the future, the Forever Stamp will sell at the new one-ounce, single-piece First-Class Mail price.

"The first U.S. postage stamps appeared in 1847," Kessler added, referring to the five-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp that was good for mailing letters up to 300 miles, and the 10-cent George Washington stamp for delivery beyond that. "Let history now record that the first Forever Stamp was dedicated on April 12, 2007, in the birthplace of American democracy and bearing the eternal symbol of American liberty."

There are no limits on customer purchases. Beginning today, April 12, the Forever Stamp will be available in booklets of 20 through
http://www.usps.com, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 and at Post Office retail counters nationwide. Customers may also purchase the stamps from selected Post Office vending machines. Starting May 14, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Automated Postal Centers will begin offering the Forever Stamp in sheets of 18. Also, many participating convenience stores, grocery stores, drug stores and other retailers will also begin selling Forever Stamp booklets of 20.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.

Forever Stamp Fact Sheet

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address them to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FOREVER STAMP
POSTMASTER
2970 Market St RM 525
Philadelphia, PA  19104

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 14, 2007.

How to Order First Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There are three philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

-- First Day Cover, 79-cents (Item 676661) Booklet of 20 format.
-- Digital Color Postmark, $1.50 (Item 676665).
-- First Day Cover, 79-cents (Item 569961). ATM Sheet of 18 format.

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

High-Value Customer Service Strategies By Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes Leader of Worldwide Service Organization to Showcase High-Value
Customer Service Strategies at Field Service Conference April 23-26

Field Service Conference

April 17, 2007 - STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:
PBI) today announced Ivin Smith, Vice President Customer Service and
Worldwide Technical Support, Document Messaging Technologies, will present
at this year's Field Service Conference. The event will be held from April
23-26 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

The Field Service 2007 Conference, organized by Worldwide Business Research,
LLC is entitled "Establishing A World Class Customer Culture" and key topics
include the future of service, delivering consistent global delivery,
organizations/vendor relationships, effectively managing third-party
service, growing business through service activities and creating a
world-class customer service culture.

Smith will deliver a presentation titled "Transforming Your Service
Organization to Exceed Increased Customer Requirements." The session,
scheduled for 2:00 pm on April 25, will detail how the ever increasing
customer expectations for excellent service can affect an organization in a
number of areas. Smith will also participate in a panel discussion entitled
"Applying Global Lessons Learned To Your Domestic Operation" at 9:35 am on
April 25.

"Excellent customer service is one of the most powerful marketing tools
available," said Smith. "Customer Care Management blends all touch points
for a 360 degree view of the relationship."

About Pitney Bowes: Pitney Bowes provides the world's most comprehensive
suite of mailstream software, hardware, services and solutions to help
companies manage their flow of mail, documents and packages to improve
communication. Pitney Bowes, with $5.7 billion in annual revenue, takes an
all-inclusive view of its customers' operations, helping organizations of
all sizes enjoy the competitive advantage that comes from an optimized
mailstream. The company's 87 years of technological leadership have produced
many major mailstream innovations, and it is consistently on the
Intellectual Property Owners Association's list of top U.S. patent holders.
With approximately 35,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than
2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information
about the company can be found at www.pb.com.
Contacts

Pitney Bowes Inc.
Elizabeth H. Pytka, 203-351-6152
Elizabeth.pytka@pb.com

Monday, April 16, 2007

Mail And Document Management Solutions

Pitney Bowes Showcases Mailstream Solutions at AIIM/On Demand in Boston April 17 - 19, 2007

ON DEMAND Conference & Expo 2007
Pitney Bowes Booth #901

April 11, 2007 - STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pitney Bowes Inc., (NYSE: PBI), the mailstream technology firm, will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of its mail and document management solutions for organizations of all sizes at the AIIM/ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition, to be held April 17-19 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. On display at the Pitney Bowes booth #901 will be solutions that help transactional mailers and direct marketers increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their customer communications.

Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software will showcase software solutions to enable Communications Intelligence, including its Customer Communication Management (CCM) portfolio for accelerating intelligence across the enterprise. Attendees will learn how Group 1 Software's CCM editions enable the creation of real-time communication for in-person interactions, as well as the generation of high-volume, high-quality business documents across the document workflow.

Pitney Bowes' Emtex Software will demonstrate a strong convergence model that includes not only print-on-demand applications, but also a broad range of transactional, transpromo and digital production printing. Emtex is a robust and flexible output management technology that offers format versatility to handle the convergence of different workflows. The VIPT and VDET solutions can input AFPDS, Metacode, DJDE, PostScript, PDF and PCL data streams. Based on customer requirements, print data will be generated for virtually any device compatible with IPDS, Metacode, PostScript, PCL or IJPDS. Digital documents can also be generated in AFPDS, PDF, XML or TIFF. As a result, customers are not limited by their data streams, but gain the freedom to send any print job to the device or delivery channel best suited for it. Emtex also has solutions for automated reprint, common accounting, integrated viewing, dynamic document manipulation and concurrent multiple input and output capabilities for any document environment.

Pitney Bowes Global Mailstream Solutions will be exhibiting products including its DI 950 Integrated Document Printing Solution, which provides outstanding levels of security and process integrity within the reach of mid-size mailers. With integrated printing, the DI 950 can help optimize the mailstream by creating, formatting, printing, inserting and metering in one solution.

Pitney Bowes will be featuring its recently introduced AddressRight® Pro DA75S Printer, which offers black-and-white and color printing capabilities to mailers of all sizes. The printer allows users to print addresses, graphics and barcodes and personalized messages almost anywhere on the envelope utilizing a wide variety of mailing materials including envelopes, postcards, booklets, folded newsletters, flats and catalogs. Used in tandem with Pitney Bowes' SmartMailerT or AddressRight® Pro, businesses can target customers with powerful, easy-to-use software that cleanses and updates existing lists while helping make full use of critical customer data.

Experts from the Pitney Bowes Postage Discount Program will educate attendees about solutions for reducing costs and maximizing opportunities in the new postal rate environment.

Art Fiordaliso, President Pitney Bowes AAS/pmh, a Pitney Bowes Marketing Services company, will be participating as a speaker in a session on "Web to Print Solutions: Enabling New Business Models," on Tuesday April 17, 2007 at 12:00 noon.

John Schloff, Vice President, Marketing and Global Strategy for Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies will be a panelist on "New Opportunities with Transpromotional Documents" on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 11:10 am.

About Pitney Bowes:

Pitney Bowes provides the world's most comprehensive suite of mailstream software, hardware, services and solutions to help companies manage their flow of mail, documents and packages to improve communication. Pitney Bowes, with $5.7 billion in annual revenue, takes an all-inclusive view of its customers' operations, helping organizations of all sizes enjoy the competitive advantage that comes from an optimized mailstream. The company's 86 years of technological leadership have produced many major mailstream innovations, and it is consistently on the Intellectual Property Owners Association's list of top U.S. patent holders. With approximately 35,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information about the company can be found at www.pb.com.

Contacts
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Carol Wallace, 203-351-6974
carol.wallace@pb.com

Nation's Largest Mail Presorter Opens New Site

Pitney Bowes PSI Opens New Site in Virginia

April 12, 2007 - ASHLAND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pitney Bowes PSI, the nation's largest mail presorter, today announced the opening of a new site in Ashland, Virginia. The site is the 33rd location in Pitney Bowes PSI's national mail presort services network.

Located at 305 Ashcake Road, the facility has the capacity to presort hundreds of thousands of first-class and standard mail every day. The 12,000 square foot center employs approximately 35 people.

"Pitney Bowes PSI is honored to join Ashland, Hanover County and the Greater Richmond region as a new member of the business community," said Jay Oxton, President of Pitney Bowes PSI. "We are looking forward to a long, successful relationship and helping area customers leverage mail services to increase efficiency, quality and savings in the mailstream."

"We are so pleased that Pitney Bowes PSI has chosen Hanover County for its new location. Their values in quality management processes and their prestigious client base will be an asset to Hanover's corporate community," said Tim Ernst, Ashland District Supervisor. "Pitney Bowes PSI's tech-based operation adds to the growing list of technology companies that are selecting Hanover and the Richmond region as a place in which to grow their business."

Presort services enable medium and large mailers to qualify for discounts on their postage by aggregating mail from multiple sources and then sorting it by ZIP Code before it enters the United States Postal Service network. These services not only make it less expensive to send mail, but also can speed delivery by up to one day depending on the destination.

About Pitney Bowes PSI

Pitney Bowes PSI is the nation's largest mail presorter, enabling customers to receive significant postage discounts on first class and standard mail. Pitney Bowes PSI provides high-quality service for its core business of mail presort and complementary mailing services. Pitney Bowes PSI currently handles ten billion pieces of mail per year through its 33 facilities across the United States. Pitney Bowes PSI is part of the Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) family of companies.

Contacts
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Karen King, 203-351-6189
Karen.king@pb.com

System Connectivity Between DOC1 Document Composition Software and Truepress Jet520

Pitney Bowes' Group 1 Software and Screen Deliver System Connectivity Between DOC1® Document Composition Software and Truepress Jet520

--Companies Exhibiting at AIIM/ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition, April 17-19, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center--
AIIM Conference & Expo 2007
ON DEMAND Conference & Expo 2007

April 12, 2007 - LANHAM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Group 1 Software, Inc., a Pitney Bowes Company (NYSE:PBI), and Dainippon Screen Mfg, Co., Ltd., today announced the delivery of one-to-one communications and system connectivity between Group 1 Software's DOC1® document composition software and Screen's Truepress Jet520 printing system.

As a result of this announcement, the latest version of DOC1 Series 5 will support Screen's recommended page description language for Truepress Jet520 - TOP (Truepress Optimized PostScript) - which provides effective integration between DOC1 and Truepress Jet520 and maximizes Truepress Jet520's high speed processing.

"This announcement will enhance the seamless workflow and open system environment of Screen's variable printing solution by connecting our Truepress Jet520 with Group 1 Software's industry leading DOC1 document creation software," said Kyohei Fujisawa, senior corporate officer of Screen and president of Media Technology Company. "We look forward to extending the benefits of this partnership to our customers."

"Together, Screen and Group 1 Software are providing our customers with a complete, end-to-end solution for creating and producing full-color documents in a high-volume environment," said Christopher Baker, president of Group 1 Software. "This is the first development in what we expect will be an important partnership between our two companies."

The Screen Truepress Jet520 is a continuous-feed, single-pass inkjet printer that excels at producing catalogs, direct mail pieces, full-color account statements and other materials based on customer databases. The Truepress Jet520 offers fast processing speeds of 64m per minute, and 840 A4 pages per minute by two-up duplex, with the perfect balance of exceptional performance, good print quality and competitive operating costs.

DOC1 Series 5 is a cornerstone component of Group 1 Software's Customer Communication Management (CCM) suite, which simplifies the gathering and manipulation of data, streamlines document creation and distribution, and ensures that information is accessible and secure. DOC1 Series 5 enables businesses to easily design and generate high-volume, personalized communications for multi-channel delivery.

Both Screen and Group 1 Software will exhibit at the AIIM/ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition to be held April 17-19 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Screen will demonstrate the Truepress Jet520 printing system in booth #850. Group 1 Software will showcase its Customer Communication Management (CCM) software portfolio for accelerating intelligence across the enterprise in booth #901.

About Dainippon Screen

Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Kyoto, Japan) is a leading company in system components for the prepress and printing industries. Its extensive range of equipment includes scanners, workflow systems, RIPs, proofing systems, plate-setters and digital printing presses. The company is also a well-known manufacturer of equipment for the semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing industries. For more information, visit
http://www.screen.co.jp/index.html.

About Group 1 Software

Group 1 Software (www.g1.com) turns data into results, providing innovative software solutions that enable our clients to better understand and connect with their millions of customers, prospects, and partners. Group 1 Software helps over 3,000 organizations maximize the value of customer data to improve profitability, increase effectiveness, and strengthen customer relationships, through consolidating, cleansing and enriching corporate data, and generating personalized business documents for multi-channel delivery, customer care and efficient business processing. Our comprehensive Customer Communications Management (CCM) solutions span from database to delivery, adding value to every aspect of communication and allowing clients to integrate intelligence throughout their mailstream. As part of Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI), a $5.6 billion company, Group 1 Software's solutions are utilized by leaders in the insurance, financial services/banking, GIS/mapping, government, mail services, retail, telecommunications, utility, and other industries, including Entergy, ING, L.L. Bean, MapQuest, Microsoft, Safeco Insurance, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo.

DOC1, Group 1, Group 1 Software, and the Group 1 logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Group 1 Software, Inc. Pitney Bowes and the Pitney Bowes Process Bar Design are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pitney Bowes, Inc. All other brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts
Group 1 Software, Inc.
Doug Gunster, +1 301-918-0864
douglas_gunster@g1.com

Commemorative Boston Celtics Postage Collection

Boston Celtics and Pitney Bowes Announce the Launch of the Commemorative Boston Celtics Postage Collection

Special collection to feature a Celtics logo as well as individual players

April 02, 2007 - BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Boston Celtics and Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) announced today the launch of a commemorative Boston Celtics Postage Collection. The new postage will feature a Celtics logo designed sheet, as well as sheets for individual players. The Boston Celtics Postage Collection can be purchased exclusively on www.celtics.com.

"The Boston Celtics are excited to team up with Pitney Bowes for this unique postage collection," Rich Gotham, Chief Operations Officer of the Celtics said. "The Boston Celtics postage collection is another exclusive Celtics commemorative that we can offer to our fans. We are hopeful that the collection will not only be a useful product, but also a collector's item."

This premium postage collection will be available for purchase on April 2, 2007. Individual players who will be featured on the postage include team captain Paul Pierce, forwards Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes and guards Delonte West and Gerald Green.

Each featured design in the Boston Celtics Postage Collection will be offered in sheets of 20. In addition, a framed collection of the entire limited edition collection will be available for purchase.

"Pitney Bowes is delighted to be collaborating with the Boston Celtics on its custom postage program," Ian Siveyer said, Vice President of Global Internet and Postal Solutions for Pitney Bowes. "The collection will provide the Celtics and its fans with an opportunity to personalize their communications in the mailstream."

About Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes provides the world's most comprehensive suite of mailstream software, hardware, services and solutions to help companies manage their flow of mail, documents and packages to improve communication. Pitney Bowes, with $5.7 billion in annual revenue, takes an all-inclusive view of its customers' operations, helping organizations of all sizes enjoy the competitive advantage that comes from an optimized mailstream. The company's 87 years of technological leadership have produced many major mailstream innovations, and it is consistently on the Intellectual Property Owners Association's list of top U.S. patent holders. With approximately 35,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information about the company can be found at www.pb.com.

About the Boston Celtics

A charter member of the Basketball Association of America (which evolved into i.e. National Basketball Association) since 1946, the Boston Celtics have won a record 16 NBA Championships, including eight (8) in a row from 1959-1966, and have won NBA titles in three (3) different eras. In addition, 31 former Celtics players, management or staff have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During the 2004-05 NBA season, the Celtics won their first Atlantic Division title in 12 seasons. For more information on the Celtics, log on to www.celtics.com.

Contacts
Boston Celtics

Heather Walker, (Office) 617-854-8072
(Cell) 617-594-4453
OR
Regan Communications
Sean Flanagan, (Office) 617-488-2878
(Cell) 781-789-2736
OR
Kevin Flight, (Office) 617-488-2863
(Cell) 781-439-7140
OR
Pitney Bowes
Karen King, (Office) 203-351-6189
karen.king@pb.com

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Dealmaker Magazine

Dealmaker

by Larry Dobrow, Thursday, April 12, 2007
I'M SUPPOSED TO REGARD the type of folks featured in Dealmaker with a mixture of contempt and jealousy, simply because they make lotsa cash. I'm supposed to scoff at their striped-suit rigidity and tut-tut their work-first mentality, all the while affirming my low-living cred by subsisting on Ramen Noodles and powdered milk.

Screw that. I count many such people as friends and find that they engage in considerably less self-deification than members of the media mafia -- and, I might add, are much quicker to buy the first round. Since I'm the kind of fella who likes to give back, I'm treating them to subscriptions to Dealmaker, one of the fastest-out-of-the-gate biz-pub launches in recent memory and one of the best.

Maybe it's best to start with what the publication doesn't do: namely, glorify its subjects. Sure, the March/April issue includes a few smudgy photos from the mag's launch party and once or twice tags profilees as "rainmakers." For the most part, though, Dealmaker concerns itself more with process than personality. Nearly every item answers the question "why does this matter?" within its first few sentences. The mag doesn't dawdle.

The "Players" section ought to be required reading for any editor of a profile-intensive title. In it, Dealmaker occupies itself with any number of personas (the up-and-comer, the fixer) and, in short and colorful spurts, outlines what the reader can learn from them. None of the section's eight or nine features is linear: there's a first-person recollection from a Midwestern industrialist, a three-way dialogue between shoe mogul Stuart Weitzman and his Bear Stearns investors, and tips from a Dutch lawyer poised to pounce on business opportunities in Cuba. Taken together, they convey a wealth of information without lapsing into irrelevancies (the "what makes Billy Banker tick?" jive that usually worms its way into such profiles).

Which isn't to say that Dealmaker lacks a personality or a sense of humor. "Initial Offering" kicks off with a panoramic shot of Opa-locka Executive Airport on Super Bowl weekend, with Gulfstream Jets lined up like cars at a mall. From there, it darts easily from the sober (high-end-collectible and wine gurus list their "Buy/Hold/Sell" items) to the absurd (a quickie "Elevator Pitch" of an investment idea, the wildly entertaining "My Deal From Hell" tale) and back (a brief mentor/mentee conversation). The section works owing to both its balance and its brevity.

Dealmaker falls a little flat when it steps outside its immediate realm of expertise. The lifestyle-y items in the back-of-the-book "Closing" section -- cars, booze, watches, blah blah blah -- come across as generic, possibly because their mild boosterism contrasts starkly with the authority of the issue's on-point business features. On the other hand, the "Road Warrior" compilation of travel gadgets and tips, which includes everything from a three-hour Beijing tour for the time-pressed to a review of a new Singapore Airlines first-class seat, reads like it was written by somebody who logs 200 days on the road every year.

As for Dealmaker's look, it goes the clean-and-modern route without OD'ing on graphically superfluous flourishes. The mag eschews posed-within-an-inch-of-his-life exec shots in favor of more informal ones, like the black-and-white pix that, strung together across the top of a two-page spread, do a wonderful job of illustrating the personalities in the story that accompanies them. "Players" goes with a split-column format, offering a "Scorecard" of biographical info down the center of the page. Dealmaker even finds a novel way to present a selection of high-high-high end briefcases, "posing" them in various locations around New York's Grand Central Terminal.

As a rule, I prefer to wait an issue or three before reviewing any new publication. The mag deserves a few months to work out the kinks; I deserve a few months to judge whether the mag has enough bullets in its arsenal o' ideas to make it worth my while. Two issues in, however, Dealmaker goes about its business like a veteran. Presenting useful, timely information for an audience that traffics in it... wow, what a novel concept. Really, this whole magazine thing ain't so hard; Dealmaker makes it look easy.


MAG STATS
Published by: Doubledown Media
Frequency: Five issues in 2007, TBD beyond that
Advertising information
http://www.dealmakerdaily.com/magazine/index.html

Larry Dobrow (larry@mediapost.com) is a Contributing Writer. 

Magazine Rack for Thursday, April 12, 2007:
http://publications.mediapost.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to begin receiving a copy of your own, please visit our site - www.mediapost.com - and become a complimentary member.
For advertising opportunities see our online media kit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We welcome and appreciate forwarding of our newsletters in their entirety or in part with proper attribution.
(c) 2007 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Brand Protection and Authentication Product Line From 3M

3M's Brand Protection and Authentication Product Line Bolstered by Leading Secure Serialization and Web Authentication Capability

April 12, 2007 - ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thanks to a new partnership agreement with the product and supply chain security company Verify Brand, 3M's brand protection and authentication product line will offer customers the additional capability of confirming product authenticity, location and tracking of products via the Web using secure mass serialization technology.

The two companies will work together to combine 3M's extensive array of materials-based security solutions and Verify Brand's experience with its unique and patent-pending electronic product authentication solution. The agreement will allow 3M to sell, market and produce the Verify Brand platform of software products and services as an additional security layer to its customers across the globe.

The integrated and comprehensive solution enables brand owners to securely serialize their products using any method of carrying a unique code on a product, its label or package. Unique codes can be authenticated via the Web using a computer, call center, SMS or text messaging, bar code scanners or RFID tags. The solution also enables the authentication of materials security included on product labels or packaging. The technology also has additional benefits such as real-time tracking, alerts, field reporting, management of and response to unauthorized events, as well as ad hoc and scheduled reporting on authentication activity. This enables manufacturers to dramatically increase visibility into their supply chain and thereby more proactively address a multitude of supply chain issues, including counterfeiting, diversion, return and warranty fraud, manufacturing overruns, product recalls and field inventory management. The ability to authenticate products can also be marketed to consumers as an additional security feature.

"Brand owners are looking for a product security solution that is both comprehensive and provides more real time information with which to address their significant brand protection and supply chain issues," said Bill Markovitz, marketing development manager, 3M Security Systems Division. "We believe that the combination of 3M's extensive materials security technology and the innovative, Web-based technology from Verify Brand will provide our customers a market-leading solution."

The new solution can be incorporated into 3M's broad portfolio of security labels - which have been well-accepted in the security marketplace for more than 25 years. Many companies in the pharmaceutical, health care, electronics, automotive, apparel, and other industries have selected 3M as their partner to help provide anti-counterfeiting, tampering and diversion solutions.

For more than 30 years, 3M has provided premier security solutions and services that identify, authenticate, secure and track materials and information by combining security and productivity. Drawing on its broad technology base and expertise, 3M creates solutions for a wide array of security needs. Examples include issuance and authentication of travel documents, personal identification cards, and brand and asset protection solutions to fight counterfeiting and tampering.

About Verify Brand Inc.

Verify Brand Inc. provides Web-based product security solutions that help brand owners protect the integrity of their supply chain, their customers and their brands. Verify Brand can help protect customers, reduce corporate risk, reduce expenses, improve financial performance and increase the value of brands. The patent-pending Verify Brand solution is validated and currently in use by major corporations.

Verify Brand: "Protecting People, Protecting Brands"

Additional information is available at www.verifybrand.com, email sales@verifybrand.com or call (763) 235-1400.

About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers around the world, the people of 3M use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

3M, Confirm, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M.

Other trademarks or names may be the property of their owners.

Contacts

3M Public Relations
LVM Group
James T. Kimer, 212-499-6571
james@lvmgroup.com
or
Verify Brand Inc.
Kevin Erdman, 763-235-1402
kevin.erdman@verifybrand.com

How Do I SPAM thee? Let me count the ways...

Voicecasting®  - Voicemail spam, answering machine spam, voice message spam, recorded spam message
http://voicelogic.com/voicecasting.html

They put marketing sales messages into residential telephone voice mail boxes or answering machines. And they say they do this without ringing the phone...! Like getting email spam, but not hearing the message "You've got mail". WTF, where did THIS come from? Honey, I thought you checked the machine, it says there's a message...!

Talk about your stillborn ideas....!

Don't tell me that we are going to need a CAPCHA for our answering machines and voice mail? "If you're human, press F-O-U-R. If you want to leave a message, press the number that completes this famous line: '... god, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all'. If you want to leave a message in our blackhole spam bucket, press 2. To be connected to the FTC, press 3."

I just got a junk fax from these guys and went to their site before I reported the fax to
www.efax.com.

As usual I am late to the rantfest:

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1679258
http://www.spamblogging.com/archives/000690.html
http://www.dmn.ca/Articles/Articles/2004/Nov/crtc1104.htm
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2004/dt2004-65.htm
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/r11_200514936.htm

Attempt to ban voicemail spamming

Rogers Wireless Inc. appeals to Canadian Radio-television and Telemarketing Commission for a ban on voicemail spamming.

Canadian wireless operator Rogers Wireless Inc. is appealing to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to ban the marketing practice of voicemail spamming.

The process the company objects to is known as 'voicecasting' and involves the use of an automated dialling device to transmit marketing messages directly into the voicemail accounts of mobile telephones. Because the messages are transmitted directly to the voicemail accounts, the telephone does not ring, so consumers don't realise they've received the advertising messages until they retrieve their voicemail.

In a complaint filed with the CRTC, Rogers Wireless argued that mobile phone customers should not have to pay airtime charges to access marketing messages that have been disguised as legitimate voicemail. The company also pointed out that the costs are even higher for customers who retrieve messages while abroad, when roaming or long-distance charges also come into play.

Somewhat surprisingly, the man credited with inventing voicemail spamming says he agrees with Rogers Wireless. Cesar Correia, founder of Infolink Technologies Inc., the largest provider of voicecasting services in Canada, said: 'Customers should not be incurring charges when somebody is sending a voicecast to a cellphone. It's unfair to the public'.

Telephone companies and consumer groups will be hoping that Rogers Wireless has put together a strong case - in 2001 Bell made a similar complaint to the CRTC about voicecasting, but the regulator ruled that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the practice was a nuisance to consumers. This time the CRTC is expected to issue a public notice and seek comment on the issue.

03 January 2006
http://www.virusbtn.com/news/spam_news/2006/01_03a.xml

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Cutting Edge Marketing Strategy For Sacramento Restaurants

 
Sacramento Restaurants Sign up for Cutting Edge Marketing Strategy

EmailDirect.com, a web based email list management and delivery company, is reinventing the way Northern California restaurants interact with their diners. By communicating via smart email marketing, restaurant managers are empowered to reach thousands of diners simultaneously through personalized email messages. In an effort to provide its innovative marketing strategy to more businesses within the food service industry, EmailDirect.com has aligned its brand with a powerful player in the business, SYSCO Sacramento and SYSCO San Francisco. Both SYSCO branches are a division of SYSCO Corporation a premier food service distributor and the "distributor of choice" in North America with over 100 distribution centers supplying 356,000 customers.

Sacramento, Ca. (PRWeb) February 5, 2007 -- EmailDirect.com, a web based email list management and delivery company, is reinventing the way Northern California restaurants interact with their diners. By communicating via smart email marketing, restaurant managers are empowered to reach thousands of diners simultaneously through personalized email messages.

The Sacramento-based company stresses higher business ethics and strives to be the most trusted email marketing service provider by sending emails only to requesting parties. Given today's turbulent Internet climate, EmailDirect has a zero tolerance policy regarding Spam. "The difference is, our emails reach a targeted audience eager to hear from these restaurants," said EmailDirect.com CEO Kevin Linden. "Instead of waiting for coupons to appear in the mail or newspaper, frequent diners can expect personalized emails regarding information about a restaurants loyalty program, happy hour specials and upcoming events."

It is this connection that has fueled a surge of business at some of Sacramento's most popular restaurants using the new marketing method. Among them, Café Bernardo's newest downtown location experienced lines out the door and down the street after distributing a free pancake breakfast voucher to its email list. Since the email-based breakfast promotion, the new café has experienced consistently high-volume morning crowds. And Café Bernardo isn't the only restaurant taking advantage of EmailDirect's services. Paragary's Bar & Oven, Ambrosia Café, Chops Steaks Seafood and Bar, 4th Street Grille, Spataro, R15, Texas West BBQ, and Brookfield's Restaurant are just a few of Sacramento's best restaurants using EmailDirect.com to effectively communicate directly with their customers.

In an effort to provide its innovative marketing strategy to more businesses within the food service industry, EmailDirect.com has aligned its brand with a powerful player in the business, SYSCO Sacramento and SYSCO San Francisco. Both SYSCO branches are part of SYSCO Corporation (
www.sysco.com) a premier food service distributor and the "distributor of choice" in North America with over 100 distribution centers supplying 356,000 customers. Now a SYSCO iCare partner, EmailDirect.com will be showcasing its services at SYSCO Sacramento's 2007 'Growing with SYSCO Food and Equipment Show' being held at the Sacramento Convention Center on February 21st. EmailDirect.com encourages all restaurant managers to join them on February 21st at this entertaining and informative event. For more information please visit www.EmailDirect.com.

EmailDirect is a Sacramento, California based corporation which develops cutting edge email marketing applications for permission based marketers.

###

Press Contact: KRISTINE DOBSON
Company Name: EmailDirect.com
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 916-919-4233
Website:
http://emaildirect.com

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Phone Card Long Distance Calling Newsletter

 
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  • Welcome to Your Big-zoo.pushline.com Sales Events and New Services Alert!

    This Week's Hot Deals & Promotions!

  •    With its very low rates, the "Golden Lotus" phone card is the ultimate card for calling from the United States and Canada to India and other countries in South Asia. But it doesn't end there. This versatile card also lets you call around the globe and to make domestic calls within U.S. and Canada! Use Toll Free Numbers or Local Access Numbers in both the USA and Canada. It couldn't be easier! And you'll never pay a connection fee. Golden Lotus is a refillable card with PIN-less dialing, Speed Dial and Online Call History access.
  •    "Penny Boss" phone card is a Permanent PIN card that provides the convenience of both PIN Free Access and the handy Refill option. You get low calling rates to many countries with high quality connections, as well as Local and Toll Free Access numbers. And you can save even more by using the Local Access Numbers from your cell phone. You'll feel in charge with Penny Boss!

    News

    JUPITER, SATURN - New Local Access Numbers! More States Covered!

    CARDINAL, CHAMPION and CHEAPSTREET cards - new low rates!

    Did You Know?

  • SMSCall - Send an SMS (Short Message Service) message and initiate a phone call!

    Keep in touch with your friends and family from anywhere in the world. All you need is a cell phone!
    • Benefits:
      • Available worldwide
      • Both parties receive incoming calls
      • No Access Number required
      • Extremely Low Rates!
    • How it works:
      • Send an SMS message from your cell phone
      • Message contains the phone number you wish to call
      • We recognize your phone number and establish a connection
      • Register your cell phone in "My Account"

  • Refill your PIN by Phone -- 24/7
    • Our new customer service automatic phone system allows you to refill your account in seconds. Just call 1-800-219-6993, select option 3, and follow the instructions. It's available to you around the clock -- 24/7, 365 days a year.

    Available Services and Features...

  • NEW! SMS Call -- Send an SMS message and get connected!
  • NEW! Web Call -- Connect any two phones worldwide using a Web interface.
  • Wide selection of refillable phone cards with Permanent PINs -- Refill your Permanent PIN card instantly at any time and keep using the same PIN.
  • AutoRefill Service -- Save time by signing up for our "AutoRefill Service." Your card will be recharged automatically for the amount you specify when the remaining balance of the card is less than the "Minimum Balance." Call 1-800-219-6993 or login to the Account Center to sign up for AutoRefill.
  • Refill online -- Just go to Big-zoo.pushline.com.
  • Refill by phone -- Call Customer Service at 1-800-219-6993 during business hours to refill your Permanent PIN. Our business hours are:
    -- Mon. - Fri. from 9:30 am. to 8 pm EST
    -- Saturday from 10 am. to 8 pm EST
  • Balance Transfer Option -- Take advantage of this FREE convenient feature!
    Transfer the balances between your refillable phone cards at any time! (Some restrictions may apply.)
  • PIN-Less Dialing -- Assign up to 10 different phone numbers to your PIN!

  • Speed Dial feature! -- Dial the number you wish to call by pressing just two keys! (Available with the "Cardinal" and "EuroMaster" cards only.)

  • Big-zoo.pushline.com provides a password-protected environment and we are committed to protecting your privacy. View Big-zoo.pushline.com Privacy Policy online.

    Questions? Call 1-800-219-6993, or use our Contact Form.

    Sincerely,

    Big-zoo.us team

    Thursday, April 05, 2007

    Learn To Spot Mortgage Fraud

    Stop Fraud in Just Seven Seconds

    Exclusive AllRegs Academy Training & Designation;

    You're at the closing table. You represent a title company or a mortgage lender. The sellers pull out his driver's license, her passport or their permanent resident cards. How do you know they're real? Are you going to be the next victim of fraud?

    April 05, 2007 - EAGAN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AllRegs, the leading online publisher of reference information for the residential mortgage lending industry, has teamed up with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to offer fraudulent document recognition training to the mortgage lending industry.

    "Combining AAMVA's knowledge and propensity in fraudulent document recognition training with AllRegs' expertise in mortgage regulations provides an unmatched opportunity for professionals in the mortgage industry," states Dan Thoms, senior vice president of AllRegs. "Upon completion of the program, students will be able to recognize suspicious identity documents and detect fraudulent items on the 1003."

    Offered through AllRegs Academy, the prescribed curriculum includes an online course and a five-day classroom requirement. At the completion of the program, attendees will be able to:

        * Identify suspicious documents in as little as seven seconds;
        * Recognize security features and unique identifiers on identity documents, including passports, drivers' licenses, social security cards and birth certificates;
        * Locate and verify covert security features on identification documents, including metricular cards and I-94s;
        * Detect fraudulent mortgage documents, such as a fraudulent 1003 loan application; and
        * Identify ten red flags on the 1003 loan application.

    After meeting experience requirements, students who successfully complete the Fraudulent Document Recognition Online Course and the Advanced Fraudulent Document Recognition Classroom Course will receive the Certified Fraudulent Document Examiner (CFDE) designation. "This program is exclusive to our AllRegs Academy training program," asserts Thoms. "This is the only designation of its kind offered in our industry."

    Participants must sign and abide by the Security & Liability Agreement, ensuring protection of covert security features of identification documents revealed only during the classroom course.

    "AAMVA members are experts in driver's license and identification processes and credentials," said Patrice Aasmo, AAMVA senior vice president of Product Development. "In our efforts to develop effective education for our membership, we have found there is great value in harnessing that expertise and tailoring it for other marketplaces. That is why we are thrilled to be in this alliance with AllRegs and to play a role in helping businesses in the mortgage industry reduce fraud, increase professionalism and enhance customer service."

    Enrollment is currently open for the CFDE program. To learn more and register for the course, visit AllRegs Academy at www.allregs.com or call (800) 848-4904.
    Contacts

    AllRegs
    Dan Thoms, 651-289-4801
    dthoms@allregs.com
    www.allregs.com

     

    Monday, April 02, 2007

    USPS Rate Changes Target Business Mail Operators and Marketers

    Pitney Bowes Launches www.pbpostalinfo.com - Web Resource for the USPS Rate Changes

    Tools, Terms and Tips for Mail Operators, High-Volume and Business Mailers and Marketers

    March 29, 2007 - STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI), the mailstream technology company, has launched a website to guide mail operators and marketers through the newly-announced US Postal Service rate changes. Located at www.pbpostalinfo.com and at www.PitneyBowes.com, Pitney Bowes offers the tools, terms and tips that reduce costs and maximize opportunities in the new postal rate environment.

    The 2007 USPS rate change focuses on the shape and size of mail pieces. This is especially important for firms that send high volumes of transactional mail such as financial and insurance statements, and for direct mailers of postcard offers, catalogues and credit card offers. Nuances in how mail operators and marketers optimize their mailstream can mean millions of dollars in both savings and revenue.

    A recent Pitney Bowes survey of more than 500 business executives nationwide indicated that 79% of respondents are unaware of the changes in postal rates and regulations. This widespread lack of knowledge about an important business event cuts across all organizational sizes and all regions of the country.

    The Pitney Bowes website features a custom rate change interactive tool that helps mailers and marketers determine areas of impact so they may adapt their mail operations according to the new USPS rates. In addition to direct links to the USPS official site, Pitney Bowes adds ongoing news, facts and educational information that quickly and clearly outline tips and advice for mailers and marketers.

    "Due to the changing postal environment, U.S. firms have an immediate opportunity to reduce costs and increase revenues by optimizing the mailstream," said Mike Monahan, Executive Vice President and President, Global Mailing Solutions and Services. "This enterprise-wide endeavor will quickly become a C-suite priority with the 2007 USPS rate change."

    About Pitney Bowes:

    Pitney Bowes provides the world's most comprehensive suite of mailstream software, hardware, services and solutions to help companies manage their flow of mail, documents and packages to improve communication. Pitney Bowes, with $5.7 billion in annual revenue, takes an all-inclusive view of its customers' operations, helping organizations of all sizes enjoy the competitive advantage that comes from an optimized mailstream. The company's 87 years of technological leadership have produced many major mailstream innovations, and it is consistently on the Intellectual Property Owners Association's list of top U.S. patent holders. With approximately 35,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations. More information about the company can be found at
    http://www.pb.com.
    Contacts

    Pitney Bowes
    Carol Wallace, Director, External Communications
    203-351-6974
    carol.wallace@pb.com

    Sprint 'Powers Up' Networks in Minnesota

    Sprint 'Powers Up' Wireless Coverage, Capacity to Networks in Minnesota

    Significant Network Enhancements Part of More Than $43 Million State-Wide Investment

    April 02, 2007 - MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For Sprint (NYSE: S) wireless customers in Minnesota who already take advantage of the company's powerful networks, recent local network enhancements should result in even better wireless service. Sprint added 74 wireless cell sites during 2006 to its Nationwide Sprint PCS NetworkSM and Nextel National NetworkSM in the state, including the Twin Cities.

    "Sprint continues to make significant investments to increase coverage and capacity in its wireless networks in Minnesota and throughout the country," said Rob Bryant, area vice president of sales for Sprint. "Customer satisfaction and network quality are two of Sprint's top priorities as we further strengthen our powerful networks where our customers live, work, play and travel."

    Last year, Sprint invested more than $43 million in its wireless networks in Minnesota. The following is a detailed list of the locations in the Twin Cities benefiting from these enhancements:

    Nationwide Sprint PCS Network

        * South Minneapolis between Diamond Lake and Lake Nokomis
        * Apple Valley at I-35E and Hwy. 77
        * Excelsior and Shady Oak Dr.
        * South of Uptown along Lyndale Ave.
        * Around Chaska High School
        * Shakopee at Hwy. 169 and Marschall Rd.
        * Edina Shopping Center at France and 50th
        * Minnetonka at Tonkawood and 7th
        * Southwest of Shakopee along Hwy. 169
        * Minnetonka around Hopkins Crossing
        * Downtown Shakopee
        * Hwy. 36 and Hamline near Har Mar Mall
        * Lake Phalen area at Hwy. 61 and Maryland
        * McKnight Road between Maplewood and North St. Paul, south of Hwy. 36
        * Brooklyn Center, around Evergreen Park
        * Coon Rapid Soccer Complex
        * Downtown Maple Grove near I-94 and I-494 intersection
        * Golden Valley at Douglas and Duluth
        * Brooklyn Park at Hwy. 610 and Zane Ave. N.
        * East of St. Paul Park to Highland Park in Cottage Grove
        * South of Eden Prairie Center along Flying Cloud Dr. to the airport

    Nextel National Network

        * Eden Prairie
        * Lake Harriet
        * North St. Paul

    In 2006, Sprint added more than 3,400 cell sites across the country to strengthen performance in both of its wireless networks and this year expects to add more than 4,000 sites. In addition to enhancements in the Twin Cities, Sprint also made network enhancements across the state and in Western Wisconsin.

    Nationwide Sprint PCS Network

        * Almelund
        * Andover
        * Bay City (Wi.)
        * Chisago City
        * Cocoran
        * Cokato
        * East edge of St. Croix Falls (Wi.)
        * Elko
        * Hwy. 10 between Prescott and Trimbelle (Wi.)
        * Hwy. 35 north of Diamond Bluff (Wi.)
        * Hudson (Wi.)
        * Linwood
        * Lyndale
        * Maiden Rock (Wi.)
        * Mayer
        * Martell (Wi.)
        * North of Stillwater
        * North of Trenton (Wi.)
        * Northeast of Howard Lake
        * Region between Cylon, Emerald and Forest
        * Scandia
        * South of Forest Lake
        * Southeast of Monticello
        * West of Hanover
        * Winthrop

    Nextel National Network

        * Atwater
        * Cottage Grove
        * Dayton
        * Eagan
        * Elk River
        * Grove City
        * Holdingford
        * Hugo
        * Hutchinson
        * Litchfield
        * Mahtomedi
        * New London
        * Plymouth
        * Red Wing
        * Rice
        * Shakopee
        * Silver Lake
        * St. Anthony
        * Willmar

    Increased Network Investment in 2007

    Sprint spent more than $7 billion in capital expenditures in 2006, most of which was invested to enhance its wireless and wireline networks nationwide. Across the country, thousands of markets - large and small - received the benefit of this major investment. This year, Sprint will invest more than $7 billion to further enhance its powerful networks and expand mobile broadband coverage.

    Power Network Coverage Tool and Sprint Plan Advisor

    To help current and prospective customers view coverage information, Sprint provides the Power Network Coverage Tool, which provides detailed coverage maps down to the street address level. By entering an address or ZIP code, customers can check the availability of wireless coverage, recently added cell sites and the network signal strength on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network, Nextel National Network or Sprint Mobile Broadband Network. The tool is available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen kiosks at many Sprint and Nextel retail stores. Once coverage is determined, customers can either change or purchase a new service plan using the new Sprint Plan Advisor. This tool, which helps customers make educated decisions about which wireless plan is right for them based on the criteria they provide, is available at www.sprint.com/planadvisor.

    About Sprint Nextel

    Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services, bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 53.1 million customers at the end of 2006; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
    Contacts

    Sprint Nextel
    Miles McMillin, 913-794-3775
    miles.x.mcmillin@sprint.com