Category Archives: Blog

WHAT IS GDPR?

The GDPR comes into force on 25th May 2018. It is not a brand-new regulation, but a necessary evolution to the existing Data Protection Act. It is intended to extend additional protection for individuals and their data, providing greater transparency and control over where their data is saved and used. The ICO is working hard to produce guidance on what the new law means for organisations, and how they can become compliant. It warns that while its final guidance is compiled, no organisation should think that because the UK is leaving the EU, they do not need to plan for compliance.

The ICO is committed to assisting businesses and public bodies to prepare to meet the requirements of the GDPR ahead of May 2018 and beyond. The Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, has acknowledged that there “may still be questions about how the GDPR would apply in the UK on leaving the EU, but this should not distract from the important task of compliance with the GDPR.” What should also be acknowledged is the global nature of the GDPR. All EU member states will implement the GDPR and certain obligations (such as in relation to international data transfers) apply when working across borders. Furthermore, countries outside of Europe may need to comply with relevant aspects of the GDPR when trading with European countries so, from a certain point of view, the GDPR can be considered a law with implications worldwide.

GDPR APPLIES TO

PERSONAL DATA

According to the GDPR, the GDPR applies to “personal data”, meaning any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier. This definition provides for a wide range of personal identifiers to constitute personal data, including name, identification number, location data or online identifier, reflecting changes in technology and the way organisations collect information about people. The GDPR applies to both automated personal data and to manual filing systems in which personal data is accessible. This could include chronologically ordered sets of manual records containing personal data.

THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S STANCE

Fines under the current Data Protection Act are up to £500,000, but under the GDPR, these are set to increase to a maximum of 4 per cent of group annual global turnover, or €20 million, whichever is greater. The Information Commissioner has gone so far as to blog to set the record straight on fines and put minds at rest. Focus should be on compliance, not speculating about fines. This law is not about fines. It’s about putting the consumer and citizen first. We can’t lose sight of that. It’s true we’ll have the power to impose fines much bigger than the £500,000 limit the DPA allows us. It’s also true that companies are fearful of the maximum £17 million, or 4 per cent of turnover allowed under the new law. But it’s scaremongering to suggest that we’ll be making early examples of organisations for minor infringements, or that maximum fines will become the norm… …The ICO’s commitment to guiding, advising and educating organisations about how to comply with the law will not change under the GDPR. We have always preferred the carrot to the stick… …Our Information Rights Strategy – a blueprint for my five-year term in office – confirms that commitment. And just look at our record: Issuing fines has always been, and will continue to be, a last resort. Last year (2016/2017) we concluded 17,300 cases. I can tell you that 16 of them resulted in fines for the organisations concerned… …And we have yet to invoke our maximum powers… …Like the DPA, the GDPR gives us a suite of sanctions to help organisations comply – warnings, reprimands, corrective orders. While these will not hit organisations in the pocket – their reputations will suffer a significant blow… …And you can’t insure against that.

DIRECT MAIL OPPORTUNITIES

• You will not need consent for Direct Mail, if you meet the conditions for legitimate interest you will not require consent for postal marketing, however for e-mail & SMS marketing you will more than likely need consent.
• It is proven that Direct Mail pieces receive a higher response rate than e-mail, the consumer also feels a more human approach to marketing when receiving mail through the door as opposed to an unsolicited e-mail.
• Direct Mail is much more targeted in the current era & the consumer has often either purchased or shown an interest in the Marketeer’s product, this is produced without the need for holding personal data other than Name, address, postcode.
• Keep Your Data clean, we use software to ensure that your data is accurate, we can offer a service advising on deceased & mover records, this in turn makes for a more professional & successful mailing.

The post box is something we tend to take for granted – they’re a common sight on our streets and we all know where our nearest one can be found. In reality, the post box hasn’t always been so prevalent – and it’s been subject to a number of changes over the years.

Sanquhar Post Office has the exclusive title of oldest working post office in the world. Having been in continuous operation since 1712, the tiny post office has more than a 300-year history.

Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, will long be remembered as one of the most adored members of the British royal family. Diana was born to royalty and in 1981, she became Princess Diana when she married Charles, Prince of Wales. She soon earned the nickname of “The People’s Princess” because people saw her as being more caring and compassionate than the rest of the royal family. Her charity work and kindness towards everyone she encountered left a lasting impression on everyone who watched her.

Providing privacy and safety for their contents, people have been using envelopes for thousands of years to keep communications secret. Historians believe envelopes were first used by the Chinese in around 3500BC, long before the days of an organised postal service.

Early History

The envelopes that were first used by the Chinese to keep royal communications secret
were nothing like their modern counterparts. The first envelopes were made from clay formed into a spherical shape. The message would be put into the sphere and sealed with more clay, which must be broken on delivery to access the contents.

The Machin Definitive 50th Anniversary stamp set has been released to celebrate the golden anniversary of his famous 1967 design of Queen Elizabeth II’s head on modern-day stamps.

Machin was one of five artists who submitted designs to the Stamp Advisory Committee in 1965 and his simple portrait was favoured above the others. It was thought to be elegant, simple and more defined than its rivals and the darker background emphasised the design.

Benjamin Franklin is remembered as a patriot whose contribution to establishing the United States federal government – in addition to his advancement of the printing industry – led to him being honoured on the first US postage stamp.

Royal Mail has released a new set of commemorative stamps featuring legendary racehorses. Commissioned to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Red Rum’s third Grand National win, paintings by famous equestrian artist Michael Heslop depict Red Rum, Desert Orchid, Brigadier Gerard, Kauto Star, Arkle, Frankel, Shergar – some of the finest in horse racing history.

The first example of direct mail dates back to the year 1000BC, when an Egyptian landowner wrote an advert on papyrus offering a reward of gold for the return of a missing slave. The advertisement was unearthed in Thebes and is now displayed in the British Museum.

Other ancient cultures who tried direct marketing include merchants from Babylon, who advertised their wares on stone tablets when they visited towns.

Royal Mail has honoured the unique talent and musical innovation of arguably the world’s greatest ever performer by releasing four new, limited edition David Bowie stamps that feature Ziggy Stardust, Earthling, Let’s Dance and Blackstar.

An ideal way to protect all kinds of promotional items, flyers and newspapers; polywrapping is an economical, fast and efficient method of wrapping and mailing catalogues, brochures, magazines, guides, CDs and books. A cost-effective solution, the plastic wrapping material is lighter than paper envelopes.

Polywrapping benefits

Invaluable in the world of direct mailing, polywrapping protects the literature while creating a professional image for your company. If you’re sending out brochures or catalogues with separate flyers and special offers inside, polywrapping keeps everything neatly together.

What is Branding?

Branding is the practice of creating your own identity – one that can leave a lasting impression with potential consumers. When starting a business, you must know WHAT and WHO you are so that you can classify the type of clients you are looking for and the type of audience you should cater to.

Although digital marketing has a proven track record for its quick and reliable distribution of creative promotions, it also has its fair share of downsides…. pave the way for direct mailing and its efficiency to deliver adeptly to a target audience.

Direct Mail vs. Email

With today’s fast paced technology, people and businesses across the globe are doing their best to adapt and cope with the latest trends. Almost every millennial these days has their own private email address –  even young children!

Direct mailing is still one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Unlike email blasts, direct mail adds a personal touch to its chosen recipients; resulting in a genuine form of communication that comes directly from the company to its intended readers.

To give you a further understanding of how an efficient direct mail marketing strategy works, here are a few tips which you can follow: