The Surge of Print Books Sales Continues (publishersweekly.com)

As you know from our post on postcards, there are many times that a design element causes a mailing to go at a higher rate of postage. This can be frustrating as well as expensive. In order to help you stay away from potential issues here are some things to keep in mind as you are preparing a direct mail campaign. Now let’s look at Self-Mailers: 1. Self-Mailer size is 5 x 5 to 6 x 10.5, anything larger is not mailable in this category. 2. Paper stock must be a minimum of 70lb, as long as the weight is under an ounce. 3. Keep your aspect ratio between 1.3 and 2.5. 4. There are two options for addressing a self-mailer. Barcode in the address block: 4 x 2 clear area, no varnish, UV coating, text, or images for the address block. 5. There are two kinds of folds horizontal and vertical: For horizontal folds: the final fold is below the mail panel. 6. Tabbing or fugitive glue closures are required: If tabbing: up to 1 ounce mailer needs two 1 inch tabs, mailers over 1 ounce need two 1.5 inch tabs and if you are using perforations or inserts it needs two 2 inch tabs. 7. Poly bag/envelope: If you use a poly bag or envelope your mail will have to go at flat postage rates.

The New York Times Company announced today that it has entered into agreements with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) to transfer pension benefits and annuity administration for approximately $225 million in pension obligations. The agreements relate to two of the Company’s pension plans, The New York Times Company's Pension Plan and The Retirement Annuity Plan for Craft Employees of The New York Times Company. Under the agreements, these pension plans will purchase group annuity contracts from MassMutual for approximately 3,800 retirees (or their beneficiaries). The group annuity contracts include an irrevocable commitment by MassMutual to make annuity payments to the affected retirees. All other retirees will continue to receive monthly benefit payments from the plans. The agreements will transfer the payment administration and obligations to this highly rated insurance company with a long history of efficiently providing annuity benefits. This arrangement is part of the Company’s continued effort to manage the overall size and volatility of its pension plan obligations, and the administrative costs related thereto. Click Read More below for additional information.

Meredith Corporation announced that it has extended its previously announced tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Time Inc. for $18.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.8 billion. The Offer will now expire one minute after 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 25, 2018, per terms of the merger agreement, unless further extended. All other terms and conditions of the Offer remain unchanged. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depository for the Offer, has advised Meredith that as of the close of business (Eastern Time) on January 10, 2018, approximately 59,024,324 shares of common stock of Time (not including 4,812,404 shares tendered by notice of guaranteed delivery for which shares have not yet been delivered) have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, representing approximately 58.7% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Time. Click Read More below for additional information.