3. Periodicals Mail
The Postal Service is the primary deliverer of subscription publications in the United States. Working closely with the periodicals industry, the Postal Service has identified opportunities for cost reduction, service improvement and business growth. Over the past year, Product Development has worked with cross functional groups on such efforts as future flats strategies, package integrity, service measurement and mail irregularity feedback. Core Business also collaborated on several process efficiencies, including customer and operations training packages, and standard operating procedures for our processing plants and airmail facilities.

We have established an electronic communications vehicle that links publishers and printers with Postal Service delivery units, sufficient to identify and resolve subscriber delivery and service issues. In combination with Area marketing and operations functions, quarterly Periodicals Focus Group meetings are conducted with industry representatives to educate, inform and collaborate on issues designed to facilitate customer service and periodicals business growth. Attendees of the National Periodicals Focus Group Conference describe the event as the best industry-focused meeting ever.

Product Development looks forward to continuing our business building initiatives through a periodicals Web page and opportunities to increase subscription marketing for publishers.