Postal issues are understandably top of mind for today's direct mailers and keeping up with changes is important to being compliant and getting the most for postal dollars. In an effort to continually improve our service, Harte-Hanks provides the Postology Report. This monthly report is designed to keep you informed of the latest postal happenings and the impact of these changes on your business.

If you'd like to see a specific topic covered, or want to express an opinion on something shared here, please contact Charley Howard, Vice President of Postal Affairs, at charley_howard@harte-hanks.com.

Thanks for your continued interest!

In this Issue:

Issues on People's Minds

There is a new Incentive Program offered by the USPS – "First Class Mail Fall Incentive". The client will simply register and work out their mail volume figures directly with the USPS. This is very similar to the Saturation Incentive. The USPS seemed to have learned a lesson with the Summer Sale. All in all, it was an unpleasant and sometimes frustrating experience for all based upon the figures provided by the USPS.

This new program will provide mail owners of qualifying incremental cards, letters, and flats volume, a 20 percent reduction in postage for First-Class Mail...

President Obama appoints new Chair of PRC

One of the recent appointments by President Barack Obama is Ruth Goldway as chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission. Goldway is the former Santa Monica mayor and succeeds Republican Dan Blair.

Goldway's starts her term facing two major issues: nationwide delivery volume is down 20 percent, and revenue has dropped 10 to 15 percent.

Here is a sampling of industry news from across the nation:

The Sun-Sentinel -
Postal service must change with the times, but wisely

Business Week -
The Postal Service's Bid for Deliverance

Newsday -
EDITORIAL: U.S. Postal Service needs express delivery of help

Bangor Daily News -
EDITORIAL: Postal reform deja vu

U.S. News & World Report -
U.S. Postal Service Fights for Survival

The Courier, Express and Postal Observer -
Opening Access to the Mailbox?

The Miami Herald -
Postal Service cutbacks necessary