Millenials. The Digital Generation. Gen Y. There are different monikers for this generation, but the general characterization is of a younger person attached to their smartphone or other mobile device like a virtual umbilical cord. This is the generation that considers print about as useful a communication form as carrier pigeons, right? The latest studies are indicating that this isn’t always the case. In fact, one current update from the Value of Print reports that “A recent study finds the new digital generation—teens, ages 12 to 17—generally have more favorable attitudes toward print, radio, and TV ads, than online ads. (Print in the Mix, U.S. Teens Prefer Offline Ads to Online.) Actually, if you—or your customers—assume younger generations communicate solely on an electronic interface, it may be a surprise to learn that a significant number of college-age students today are choosing print for academic reading! Misconceptions There are a number of misconceptions around how Gen Y students consume print material. In 2010 experts even predicted that eText (digital textbook) usage would rise more than 16%. However, this increase didn’t happen. (The Hays Daily News, Students Prefer Print). In one study, “Student Reading Practices in Print and Electronic Media,” by Nancy M. Foasberg, set to be published in the journal College & Research Libraries in September 2014, researchers tracked the reading habits of the College of New York students. What they found was not a group of digital-addicted zombies but rather scholars who crave the tangible effectiveness printed textbooks afford. Key findings of the study: Although students used electronic media for non-academic reading, many rely on paper for academics. As it turns out, students like the interactivity that print allows—taking notes and highlighting on the page. Several students in the study expressed that they disliked the embedded links in eTexts because they were distracting. Some students use digital textbooks because their schools offer eBook deals. However those who have eBooks end up printing them out and cancelling out any money they may have saved. By the Numbers For another way to see what medium students prefer, just look at the numbers. In a recent article from Brown University, eBook sales account for less than 0.5% of their bookstore revenue. Although the school expects the eventual transition to digital textbooks, according to Steven Souza, the bookstore’s director, “Students [currently] seem to have zero interest in [eTexts].” The students there cite their preference for printed books on factors like the ease and familiarity. One student commented, “I like flipping though a textbook.” This Is Your Brain on Print Why do students seem to prefer print for academic reading? The Foasberg study claims there are scientific reasons behind their choice. Print may actually...

Millenials. The Digital Generation. Gen Y. There are different monikers for this generation, but the general characterization is of a younger person attached to their smartphone or other mobile device like a virtual umbilical cord. This is the generation that considers print about as useful a communication form as carrier pigeons, right? The latest studies are indicating that this isn’t always the case. In fact, one current update from the Value of Print reports that “A recent study finds the new digital generation—teens, ages 12 to 17—generally have more favorable attitudes toward print, radio, and TV ads, than online ads. (Print in the Mix, U.S. Teens Prefer Offline Ads to Online.) Actually, if you—or your customers—assume younger generations communicate solely on an electronic interface, it may be a surprise to learn that a significant number of college-age students today are choosing print for academic reading! Misconceptions There are a number of misconceptions around how Gen Y students consume print material. In 2010 experts even predicted that eText (digital textbook) usage would rise more than 16%. However, this increase didn’t happen. (The Hays Daily News, Students Prefer Print). In one study, “Student Reading Practices in Print and Electronic Media,” by Nancy M. Foasberg, set to be published in the journal College & Research Libraries in September 2014, researchers tracked the reading habits of the College of New York students. What they found was not a group of digital-addicted zombies but rather scholars who crave the tangible effectiveness printed textbooks afford. Key findings of the study: Although students used electronic media for non-academic reading, many rely on paper for academics. As it turns out, students like the interactivity that print allows—taking notes and highlighting on the page. Several students in the study expressed that they disliked the embedded links in eTexts because they were distracting. Some students use digital textbooks because their schools offer eBook deals. However those who have eBooks end up printing them out and cancelling out any money they may have saved. By the Numbers For another way to see what medium students prefer, just look at the numbers. In a recent article from Brown University, eBook sales account for less than 0.5% of their bookstore revenue. Although the school expects the eventual transition to digital textbooks, according to Steven Souza, the bookstore’s director, “Students [currently] seem to have zero interest in [eTexts].” The students there cite their preference for printed books on factors like the ease and familiarity. One student commented, “I like flipping though a textbook.” This Is Your Brain on Print Why do students seem to prefer print for academic reading? The Foasberg study claims there are scientific reasons behind their choice. Print may actually...

The PPLUS Global Logistics Team is excited to be a part of the Printing Industries of America Buying Power Program. We have seen great success in the first year of the program and enjoyed the opportunity to attend PRINT 13 last fall to meet current customers and gain many new contacts. In the new year, we have added many new carriers to our database. We are adding new carriers on a daily basis at all locations across the country with enhanced service, added coverage, and aggressively reduced rates. To strengthen the relationship with Printing Industries of America and its affiliates, the PPLUS Team has negotiated for no rate increase this year, which is extremely beneficial to you as members and frequent shippers.         At the end of last year, our newly branded Print Freight website, www.printfreight.com, was finalized and created specifically for our printing customers such as yourselves. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to do so, take a look at the newly updated site. If you are not yet a part of our buying power program, you can use the login information below to log in and get rate quotes on your shipments in order to take a look at what we have to offer: www.printfreight.com Username: PIAdemo Password: password1 In addition, be sure to follow us Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and updates specific to transportation and logistics in the printing industry. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to become a part of this program, contact us directly via phone at 636-946-7587 or send an email to Kasey Lucas at Kasey@pplusglobal.com. We look forward to working with you and further serving the printing...

The PPLUS Global Logistics Team is excited to be a part of the Printing Industries of America Buying Program. We have seen great success in the first year of the program and enjoyed the opportunity to attend PRINT 13 last fall to meet current customers and gain many new contacts. In the new year, we have added many new carriers to our database. We are adding new carriers on a daily basis at all locations across the country with enhanced service, added coverage, and aggressively reduced rates. To strengthen the relationship with Printing Industries of America and its affiliates, the PPLUS Team has negotiated for no rate increase this year, which is extremely beneficial to you as members and frequent shippers.         At the end of last year, our newly branded Print Freight website, www.printfreight.com, was finalized and created specifically for our printing customers such as yourselves. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to do so, take a look at the newly updated site. If you are not yet a part of our Buying Program, you can use the login information below to log in and get rate quotes on your shipments in order to take a look at what we have to offer: www.printfreight.com Username: PIAdemo Password: password1 In addition, be sure to follow us Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and updates specific to transportation and logistics in the printing industry. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to become a part of this program, contact us directly via phone at 636-946-7587 or send an email to Kasey Lucas at Kasey@pplusglobal.com. We look forward to working with you and further serving the printing...

The PPLUS Global Logistics Team is excited to be a part of the Printing Industries of America Buying Program. We have seen great success in the first year of the program and enjoyed the opportunity to attend PRINT 13 last fall to meet current customers and gain many new contacts. In the new year, we have added many new carriers to our database. We are adding new carriers on a daily basis at all locations across the country with enhanced service, added coverage, and aggressively reduced rates. To strengthen the relationship with Printing Industries of America and its affiliates, the PPLUS Team has negotiated for no rate increase this year, which is extremely beneficial to you as members and frequent shippers.         At the end of last year, our newly branded Print Freight website, www.printfreight.com, was finalized and created specifically for our printing customers such as yourselves. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to do so, take a look at the newly updated site. If you are not yet a part of our Buying Program, you can use the login information below to log in and get rate quotes on your shipments in order to take a look at what we have to offer: www.printfreight.com Username: PIAdemo Password: password1 In addition, be sure to follow us Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and updates specific to transportation and logistics in the printing industry. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to become a part of this program, contact us directly via phone at 636-946-7587 or send an email to Kasey Lucas at Kasey@pplusglobal.com. We look forward to working with you and further serving the printing...

The following blog post was contributed by Thaddeus B. Kubis, author of Guide to Integrated Marketing and Media Convergence: The Print Provider’s Guide to Use, Sell, and Profit from Integrated marketing and Emerging Technologies, the Printing Industries Press February/March Book of the Month. What is “integrated marketing communications,” and how can I profit from this process? Integrated marketing communications (IMC) is the multi-vitamin of marketing, a tool that allows marketers to provide messages per planned dosages of when, where, how, and why to a targeted demographic or vertical. An advantage of IMC is that a PSP/CSP [print services provider/communications service provider] can interact and offer many of the media tools used to deliver the prescribed dosage. Tools such as flyers, brochures, and other promotional material are obvious ones, but what about the very quickly changing media landscape detailed below? Which tools can you simply add to your service mix to expand your business and increase your profits? Changing Media Landscape Advertising: Broadcast Online Mobile Print Out of Home Direct Marketing: Direct Mail Email Events POP/POS Education Digital Marketing: SEO/SEM Remarketing (retargeting) Social Media Websites/Microsites/Landing Pages Public Relations Media Relations: Analyst Relations Investor Relations Adding IMC tools to your service mix not only will help you develop a dialogue with a prospect or existing customer, but will also allow you to keep the conversation moving forward and allow you to grab the golden ring of sales potential— engagement! Engagement means you have an open door to a potential (or existing) client, a door that may have been closed to you before, but is now ajar because you are no longer directly selling. Consultative type selling is not new to this or other businesses. What is new is the simple fact that your existing and potential customers are looking for a consultant to provide new ideas and new ways to reduce cost, increase sales, and expand their profits. IMC allows you to promote the concept of profit advocacy, which is both good for you and your customer. Profit advocacy turns the table. Customers no longer start or end with “What is the cost to print this flyer?” Instead, they might ask, “How can you assist me in developing increased response, reducing my cost per order, and increasing my sales?” That is why IMC is a multi-vitamin; it not only provides measured dosages but also provides both a short-term solution and a long-term strategy to marketing wellness. Integrated marketing linked to media convergence is a pathfinder to increased business, new and expanded existing business, and increased involvement with your customer and prospect needs. They are tools that enable you to develop a dialogue and establish ongoing engagement that continues the conversation your...