Category Archives: Blog With BEB

2018 A Stormy Year for Social

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2018 was somewhat of a stormy year for social media in general.

In January Facebook users complained that posts from businesses, brands and media were crowding out personal moments on their Newsfeed. Adam Mosseri, Head of News Feed, reported that FB would change their algorithm and would prioritize posts from friends and family over paid advertisers.

Then, the Cambridge Analytics (CA) Scandal came to light in March. CA was a British political consulting firm that combined data mining, data brokerage, and data analysis with strategic
communications during the US Presidential elections.

CA used information from Facebook and others to build psychological profiles of American voters by using an app that appeared to be a personality test. The app collected data on tens of millions of people and their FB friends, even those who didn’t download the app themselves.

Facebook share prices dropped more than $100 billion in days and politicians from the US & the UK demanded answers. The scandal eventually led FB President Mark Zuckerberg to testify in front of Congress.

The scandal incited public discussion on ethical standards for social media companies, political consulting organizations, and the war on false news heated to new levels.

May of 2018 brought the launch of the GDPR- General Data Protection Regulation. This
European Union law gives individuals more control over how and what data is collected by third parties and forces companies that collect data to be more transparent. That includes expedited notification of breaches. Though not in effect state-side (yet), the law and penalties apply to companies that collect data from EU residents, even if the company collecting isn’t part of the EU. Many expect similar legislation to follow here in the US.

Lastly, FB removed their Partner Categories in August. Partner categories were demographics available when creating audiences for paid FB & Instagram ads. These demographics derived from third party giants such as Axciom, Epsilon, Experian, Oracle Data Cloud, and Quantium. They provided game-changing personal information such as household income, parents with children (you pick the age), or what kind of car an audience drives.

Removal of these demographics left many marketers wondering what kind of returns to
expect in the future.

All was not blustery for digital platforms in 2018. Communicating through video apps and stories became front runners and are defining new ways marketers need to spend their advertising dollars.

In June, Instagram launched IGTV. Unlike Instagram, it allows users to upload vertical videos up to 10 minutes in length. Up to 60 minutes if you are verified or “popular”.

China based TikTok became the most downloaded app in the US. This app is for creating and sharing 15 second videos. (See our blog, ‘Six Wildly Popular Social Sites That You (probably) Never Hear Of“).

One thing is for certain. Social Media marketing landscapes will continue to change at lightning speed and we’ll do our best to keep you abreast of the latest trends.

 

INSIDE THE BOX PRINTING

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One of the most talked about trends today is where to place your packaging print.

Many fulfillment companies have taken a fresh approach and have decided to start printing INSIDE THE BOX.

Porch Poachers
As package delivery increases, so does package theft. One high-end jewelry maker brands their box on the inside instead of the outside. The outside stays plain to avoid attracting attention to its expensive contents while the inside delivers a beautiful message that reinforces the brand.

A Picture is Worth More Than One Thousand Words
Unboxing content matters. A brilliant white interior can set off beautiful photography within the container and be sure to add other branding or messaging on the inside lid for added bang of your printing bucks.

Further Instructions
Some makers are including instructions for reusing a box as a handy
household item or a kid’s craft idea. This added value contributes to overall brand love and it keeps a brand around for a much longer period of time.

United Socialist Suds Republic

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In the interest of increasing the viability of post offices and attracting additional money to
modernize their network, the Murmansk post department, located in far north Russia, reported that it started selling low-alcohol drinks.

Northern Russians aren’t the only ones who can enjoy a chaser with a purchase of a stamp. The Saratov Region (located to the south) has also experimented with sales of beer and the fermented bread drink called kvass.

Post press secretary Daniil Skidan told Russian radio that they plan to roll out beer sales at 3,200 post offices across the country with the main focus on rural branches.  Russian Post has come under government pressure to modernize in recent years, given frequent complaints of
inefficiency and even mail theft.

Comments about beer sales via the Post on Russian Social Media has been mixed with  exasperation and humor.  Some noted that it was comforting to think that at least they “won’t get bored in the queue anymore”.  Others think it is only a matter of time before the post office starts selling kebabs too.

Celebrating 70 – Feb

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As we celebrate our 70th Anniversary we will share some of our history with you throughout the year. We decided to start by sharing a BEB newsletter that was published in February 1963. Click the link below to see a digital copy:

BEB TEXAS FEB 1963 NEWSLETTER DIGITAL COPY R1

Our company has always practiced what we preach. That means we use the products that we sell and use them to communicate with our clients. It is often amazing to see the dramatic changes that have taken place over long periods of time. What is equally amazing; is how many things don’t change.

For example; if you read the DM Short piece entitled “HOUSEHOLD INCREASE”, you’ll see that in 1963 the number of households in the US reached 54.65MM. An increase of 2 million based on the previous Census from 1960. That number today is 128 million and is an increase of 234% over a 56 year period!

Another great example of significant change comes when reading the feature story on the front page entitled; “How To Cut Costs and Improve Efficiency With Simplified Addressing.” This article talks about some new and cutting edge technology (a Scriptomatic Model 101-S) that uses tab cards with holes punched out to drive the select feature. Be sure to read the article as it’s an amazing trip down memory lane and we even found a picture of an old machine but we think it’s a Model 1,000.

On the other side of the equation, the basic fundamental principals of marketing have not changed at all. A good example is the first DM Short feature entitled; “GOOD MAILING LISTS”. It talks about the importance of good and accurate data/mailing lists. Knowing your audience and using data correctly remain the most important factors of any marketing campaign today.

We hope you enjoy the scanned copy of this “oldie but goodie”. It’s a bit beaten up, but it’s legible and a treasure to read; even if you’re not a postal geek. Though we postal pontiffs did break out in a smile when reading about the “new” Zone Improvement Plan that was about to be implemented in July 1963 by the USPS. That plan, also known as ZIP, was the first time the postal service started using 5 digit zip codes for expedited delivery. If you look at the return address on the newsletter; you’ll see it reads; 719 Anita St., Houston 6,
Texas. Not a 5 digit zip code in sight!

Be sure to watch for our blogs and posts on social media as we’ll be sharing more of our newsletter archive treasures throughout the year. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane!

PIGC Women in Print

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We had a fantastic time today at the PIGC – Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast #WomenInPrint luncheon at Harold’s in the Heights. Our very own Joy Zehrbach was the feature speaker!  The topic? Social Media Blitz.

Women representing the printing and graphics arts community of Houston gathered today for networking, education, and comradery.  Our Angel Vierna & Veronica Comisso were there too.  Participating in industry education and networking events is a priority to for us.  Our Joy Z also serves on the Board of the PIGC, and Angel & Veronica serve on the Graphic Excellence Awards planning committees.

Carlson Sues the USPS Over Rate Hike

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Self proclaimed Postal Watchdog Douglas Carlson is suing the USPS over the five cent increase on the First Class Stamp.  He sites that the increase will be the largest increase in history for the one postage price that most Americans pay. As a percentage, the 10-percent increase is the largest since 1991, and it is about four times the average increase since 2006.  Read more here.

USPS Q1 RESULTS

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WASHINGTON – February 8, 2019 – The U.S. Postal Service reported total revenue of $19.7 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 (Oct. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018), an increase of $553 million, or 2.9%, compared to the same quarter last year.

First-Class Mail revenue declined by $81 million, or 1.2%, on a volume decline of 428 million pieces, or 2.8%, compared to the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, Marketing Mail revenue increased by $218 million, or 4.9%, on volume growth of 1.0 billion pieces, or 4.8%, compared to the same quarter last year. Shipping and Packages revenue increased by $516 million, or 8.7%, on volume growth of 93 million pieces, or 5.4%, compared to the same quarter last year.

Total operating expenses were $21.2 billion for the quarter, an increase of $1.6 billion, or 7.9%, compared to the same quarter last year. Excluding the impact of the $621 million non-cash workers’ compensation expense increase resulting from changes in interest rates and actuarial assumptions, operating expenses would have been $20.6 billion for the quarter, an increase of $939 million, or 4.8%, compared to the same quarter last year. The remaining operating expense increase was largely driven by increases in compensation and benefits of $657 million, due to additional hours and contractual wage adjustments, and transportation costs of $207 million, due to higher fuel costs and highway contract rate inflation.

The net loss for the quarter totaled $1.5 billion, an increase in net loss of nearly $1.0 billion compared to the same quarter last year.

“We continued to drive growth in our package business and expanded use of the marketing mail channel during the quarter. Nevertheless, we face ongoing financial challenges. We remain focused on aggressive management of the business, legislative reform, and pricing system reform, all of which are necessary to put the Postal Service on firm financial footing,” said Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan. “Our nation is best served by a financially sustainable Postal Service that can invest in its future and meet the evolving mailing and shipping needs of the American public.”

The controllable loss for the quarter was $103 million, compared to controllable income of $353 million for the same quarter last year.

“Overall volumes increased this quarter driven primarily by growth in Marketing Mail and our package business, which resulted in total revenue growth of $553 million,” said Chief Financial Officer and Executive VP Joseph Corbett. “This growth was offset by increased work hours and related salaries and benefits, increases in transportation costs due to these higher volumes and the continued focus on meeting customers’ needs.”

First Quarter Fiscal 2019 Operating Revenue and Volume by Service Category Compared to Prior Year – READ MORE HERE

Run for Rama 5K

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We are going after it again in 2019!  We are gathering a team to walk/run in MD Anderson’s Sprint for Life event on May 4th.  We affectionately refer to this race against Ovarian Cancer as The Run for Rama 5K to honor our 40-year associate, Rama Moore, who lost her battle with this deadly disease on Christmas day in 2017.

Last year we had over 40 participants travelling from as far away as Alaska to take part in this highly emotional and very positive event.  We are trying to raise $1,200 in Rama’s memory to help combat this devastating disease.  Won’t you please join us in our march against Ovarian Cancer?  Join our team and walk with us on Saturday, May 4, 2019 or make a generous donation to our fund.  CLICK HERE or go to runforrama.com for details and donations.