Bloomingdale's

Environmental groups Catalog Choice and ForestEthics are hot on catalogers’ tails. So are state governments, with 18 do-not-mail bills under review in 15 states as of the beginning of this year. As if catalogers didn’t have enough adversity — with postage on the rise again and the economy on the fall — they can’t afford to take the issue of environmentalism and sustainability lightly much longer. That’s why we’ve devoted the cover section to this hot topic. Consider the most recent events: • On Oct. 9, 2007, relative newcomer Catalog Choice unveiled its free, Web-based service to encourage consumers to opt out of

The oft-repeated rap on pure retailers’ online efforts heard at the recent e-Tail conference held in Washington, D.C., was that, by and large, they’ve always been a step behind from a commerce and developmental standpoint than Web pure plays and catalogers. Although mid-scale retailer Bloomingdale’s got on the dot-com wagon early, led by a separate division that handles both its and Macy’s online units, the Bloomie’s site eventually needed an overhaul. Since the site’s relaunch in 2004, Bloomie’s Web business has risen from near-bottom to No. 4 when counted alongside Bloomie’s 38 individual stores. The retailer’s Director of Internet Production Sonja Kristofferson shared

Catalogers’ Updates Metrostyle: This unit of New York-based Redcats USA, is emblazoning the cycle two winner of “America’s Next Top Model” TV show, Yoanna House, on the cover of its spring catalog in an attempt to showcase the catalog as a women’s apparel fashion authority. Selecting the contest winner comes after Redcats changed the name of this value-priced book from Lerner. Harry & David Holdings: In April, this multichannel marketer agreed to sell its Jackson & Perkins catalog/ wholesale plants and gardening tools business to an investment group led by Donald and Glenda Hachenberger for $49 million. In a separate deal, Harry & David also agreed to

Recognizing excellence in printing quality, Gold Ink Awards were handed out in August to 17 business and consumer catalogs. This year’s catalog winners joined more than 1,500 entrants in competing for the 19th annual awards in more than 40 printing categories. Aside from catalogs, these include hardcover and softcover books, magazines, direct mail, annual reports, brochures and point-of-purchase displays. Entries are judged on the quality of print production, paper choice, binding, finishing and other measures. The year’s winners “often push the limits of what can be achieved using the materials, treatments and available technologies,” says Noelle Skodzinski, editor in chief of the Publishing Media

© Profile of Success, Catalog Success magazine, April 2006 Interview by Matt Griffin Catalog Success: When was the catalog established? Steve Singer: It was established in the mid-1990s, but it was a very small venture. I came to it in 2000. CS: Where are the headquarters located? Singer: I run the business from my home in Yearington, Nev., but the physical plant is in Stockton, Calif. CS: And your primary merchandise? Singer: Men's hats and accessories. CS: What's your annual circulation? Singer: This year is 1.6 million. CS: How did the catalog get started? Singer: It was started ... by the original owners,

By Alicia Orr Suman With fewer hotline names and a scarcity of new rental lists to test, catalogers have been faced with a drought of new names to mail this year. Seeking ways to beef up their mail plans with quality names at the lowest possible cost, more catalogers appear to be tapping into cooperative catalog databases. Catalog co-ops have been around for more than a decade. But only recently have some reached the size and scope needed to become a substantial piece of your prospecting plan—making many catalogers more apt to ramp up usage of this alternative source of

Charlie Silver has been in the direct marketing and catalog industries for his entire career. But his education was in accounting and finance. His first job upon graduating from Rutgers University in the 1970s was as a budget accountant at Scholastic magazine. “I liked the analysis part of my job more than the accounting,” Silver recalls of his days at Western Publishing. When Western moved in 1978, Silver took a post at Berkey Photo as a senior financial analyst. Later, he was promoted to marketing manager. “I liked the marketing. It was exciting to me to come up with new ideas and see them

E-mail marketing is new for many catalogers, and most are now concentrating on growing an in-house e-mail file. Some have started weekly or monthly newsletters that contain specials, and others are sending promotions. While many are becoming comfortable with the process of creating e-mail marketing messages, the competition for customers’ attention is growing. In the near future, it will become important for catalogers to set themselves apart from other e-mail marketers. As with print catalogs, several response-boosting techniques are worth testing in e-mail. Looking for Lists Most catalogers are working with their own housefiles right now. They have e-mail registration on

Dom Perignon, on tasting the first glass of champagne ever poured, is said to have proclaimed, “I’m drinking stars.” Ever since that moment, bubbly has been on hand for most celebrations, and heaven knows it needs to be served in the proper vessel: a champagne flute. While glassware is often marked with brand names or other messages, this New Year a special opportunity presented itself. What better, and rarer, occasion than a millennium-flip to toast with champagne? Put the two together and you get Year 2000 flutes. This spotlight shows a representative sampling of the positioning strategies for flutes featuring the year