It’s the last QR Code of 2017! But no fear, our 2018 calendars are in the works. In the meantime, scan our last 2017 QR Code for a fun 1-minute video!
You can also check it out here.
December 2017 QR Code
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Tag Archives: direct mail marketing
The New Elvis Stamp
Elvis Presley is heading to a post office near you in time for this year’s Elvis Week celebration in Memphis, Tennessee. The USPS announced the King of Rock and Roll will be immortalized in a stamp collection once again.
Beginning August 12, the greatest hist CD, Elvis Forever, will be available online and in some post offices along with the stamp.
The RCA/Legacy Recording… Read More
Slow Delivery in Houston Continues
The new USPS delivery standards for First Class and Standard Mail that take effect on July 1, 2015 have been published. However, we have continued to experience slow delivery both local and regional, especially with standard mail. We encourage our clients, especially those mailing to promote scheduled events, to drop your mail an extra 7 days earlier to ensure timely delivery of your marketing mail! We will continue to keep you apprised of delivery in the coming months as we prepare for the upcoming back to school and holiday seasons.
New Delivery Standards for Standard Mail
New delivery standards for Standard Mail will take effect on July 1, 2015. See below for details:
We have experienced slower than normal standard mail delivery locally and regionally. See details on what Houston mailers are experiencing and read our recommendations for the coming back to school and holiday seasons. Read More…
USPS Rate Hike Approved
After three tries, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) finally approved the proposed prices and classifications for Standard Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services yesterday.
The new pricing and classification changes for all market-dominant mail classes and competitive products take effect on May 31, 2015. Below are the new rates:
Would you like a 2015 BEB POSTAL RATE CARD? These cards are double sided with nonprofit rates on one side, and for profit Standard & First-Class rates on the other. They also include handy dimension minimums/maximums and other mailing requirements. Printed on sturdy card stock and measuring at 9″ high X 8″ wide, these cards are excellent reference material and they are FREE! If you would like one mailed to you, click here.
Zehrbach Wins Helsley Family Award
Epicomm-Southwest presented it’s lifetime achievement honor, The Helsley Family Award, to Joy Zehrbach, Vice President of BEB-Business Extension Bureau.
The presentation was made at the association’s 2015 annual convention in April. Since its inception in 1971, this award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a long history of significant and outstanding achievement in the marketing service provider industry. It can only be won once, and past recipients select each new winner. Zehrbach is the third member of BEB to be honored with the award. Ron Royall, President and CEO was given the distinguished honor last year, and his father, Robert “Bob” Royall, founder of BEB-Texas, was presented with the award in 2001.
BEB is a family owned, marketing production company, founded in 1949 and located in the 
museum district of Houston, Texas. Zehrbach was brought on board in June of 2012 to expand Business Extension Bureau’s presence in digital marketing which includes social media, websites, wide format printing, and interactive direct mail marketing.
Now a leader in the digital medium, BEB has won numerous awards for their social media, video, education programs, data, e-mail and direct mail marketing campaigns over the past 3-years.
Joy was also presented with an award of recognition by Epicomm for her contributions during her term on the national board. This prestigious award was presented by Ken Garner, President and CEO of the national Epicomm industry association.
Congratualtions, Joy Z!
Spring Seminar Classes Rated Excellent
Our Spring Seminar Series have come to a conclusion and once again, we are (so) pleased to share results of participant surveys. 100% of our attendees submitted surveys this round, and 100% rated the overall series as EXCELLENT! Summer classes are in the planning stages now.
Thank you to our wonderful participants for making this series so popular.
USPS Rate Hike Remanded Again
Two weeks ago the Postal Regulatory Commission sent the Postal Service’s rate and classification proposals for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services back for corrections and amendment. Last week the revised proposed rates were resubmitted, and for a second time, the PRC remanded the rate case stating the Postal Service has not complied fully with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Once the rate proposal is updated, the PRC will allow 7-days for public comment. In a statement released last week, the PRC also noted; “The Postal Service states that the revised prices are scheduled to go into effect on April 26, 2015. … Pursuant to [statute], no rate shall take effect until 45 days after the Postal Service files a notice specifying that rate.”
Our good friend and postal expert, Leo Raymond of Epicomm wrote; “Though I’m not a lawyer, that last sentence seems to sink the Postal Service’s plans for an April 26 implementation date — at least for Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services. (The proposed rates and classification changes for First-Class Mail, and competitive products were approved earlier, and there’s no legal reason why implementation of those rates would have to be delayed, though implementing them separately would be a major headache for mailing companies and their software providers.)”
If the USPS HQ can update and resubmit by Monday, and allowing for the seven days for comment, add another few days for the PRC to deliberate, and assuming it doesn’t remand the filing a third time, it’s reasonable to not expect an order on final rates in April. This means that it is possible that the 45-day clock won’t start until the date of the PRC order putting rate implementation (for the three classes involved at least) into mid-May.
We’ll keep you posted as things unfold.
PRC Approves Rate Hike effective Apr 26
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has issued orders approving some of the price changes proposed earlier by the Postal Service. After its review of the USPS filing, discussion of the input from commenters, and its own analysis, the PRC found that “the planned” prices for First-Class Mail do not violate the price cap.
The PRC has also approved the price increase for competitive products (proposed on January 26), except for some rates associated with products whose transfer from “market dominant” to “competitive” remain under review.
Rate increases will take effect on April 26, 2015. You can view the new rates by clicking below:
Downtown Houston Permit Holders
If you currently hold a mailing permit number that is issued from the Downtown Houston Post Office, you will need to make some changes.
As closure of the Downtown Post Office completes, all permit numbers issued from there must be re-issued from the North Houston office.
To make the transition, you are required to re-apply (at no additional charge) for a North Houston permit number. However, North Houston may not be able to assign the same number you were given from the Downtown Post Office. If the number issued from Downtown is not currently taken by another mailer in North Houston, you will be assigned the same number. Otherwise, you will be issued a new number.
This process must be completed no later than June 15, 2015
Inventory of items already printed with the Houston permit information will be accepted throughout the balance of this year. If you currently use a permit with the verbiage “Houston”; when creating new inventory, you will need to use the verbiage, “N. Houston” going forward. A sample for your review is below.
You can see detailed standards for mailing permit verbiage by clicking here or you can contact the North Houston Post Office at 713-226-3032.
If you need additional information or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at 713-528-5568.