Membership Growth Accelerates and Washington Impact Expands

Washington, DC—Hamilton Davison, Executive Director of the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) announced the newly formed 501(c)6 trade association representing catalog interests has just turned one year old. 

“We have just completed our first year of operations,” said Davison.  “Due to the hard work of our founding members, we have been able to accomplish an enormous amount in a short time.  The impact we have had in 12 short months has been exceptional.  We have gained a postage rate adjustment effective May 14, 2008, that is half the CPI rate for catalogers and is far less than some others had been calling for.  ACMA was asked by name to testify before the US Congress and has recently been placed on the witness list of the PRC at an upcoming round of hearings.  Both invitations indicate ACMA has gained credibility in Washington, establishing itself as the clear voice for the catalog industry.  We’ve reviewed and commented on a number of mailing standards of significance to catalogers and have succeeded in convincing the USPS to adjust their plans to be more favorable to our industry. In addition, we have joined the Mailer Technical Advisory Committee.  During this time, we have also successfully built much of the infrastructure required to support a new trade association.

“The amount of support from member companies has been nothing short of phenomenal,” continued Davison.  “Without the continuing assistance of our board members and member companies, these achievements would not be possible.  This incredible assistance continues.  In recognition of our first anniversary, ACMA member j. schmid conducted a branding workshop with several of our members resulting in a completely re-designed logo and look for ACMA.  Building on this, member company and managed e-commerce software provider DMinSite completely revamped our website and added many new tools and features.  ACMA is enormously grateful to both these companies for their fine support and assistance,” added Davison.  “Their leadership and competence in service of the entire catalog industry should not go unnoticed,” he said.

“Our membership now stands at over 60 members, even though ACMA has lost some significant companies to bankruptcy, merger or shut down,” added ACMA membership co-chair Allen Abbott, EVP of Paul Fredrick.  “Membership growth continues to accelerate as more companies are hearing about the work we do and making the decision to do their share to support us.  Importantly, we are seeing well known thought leaders join ACMA, as well as some of the largest and best known firms in our industry.  This is wonderful validation that ACMA is heading in the right direction and filling a clear need in advocacy for an industry that has been buffeted by the external environment.” 

“The trade press and other associations have been enormously supportive of our work as well,” continued Davison.  We are benefiting from visibility in the major trade journals and at the major industry trade shows.  NEMOA’s board endorsed ACMA with a call to their membership to participate in our work and we continue to see increasing numbers of NEMOA members also joining ACMA.  In this past year we also became active with the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom) and have been appointed to the PostCom board of directors.  Finally, we continue to build relationships with other organizations whose members also include catalog companies or major mailing industry companies and we expect to continue to develop these relationships in the future.” 
                        # # #

About the American Catalog Mailers Association: ACMA is a Washington-based not-for-profit created to advocate for unique collective interest of catalog mailers in regulatory, public and administrative matters where the shared impact transcends individual company interests.  We participate in rulemaking and other proceedings of significance where a single collective voice increases influence and effectiveness.  ACMA advocates the interests of catalogers only, not other types of advertising mail.  Membership is open to any party with significant interests in the catalog industry.  More information can be found at www.catalogmailers.org.

To arrange an interview with ACMA’s Executive Director Hamilton Davison, please email croden@catalogmailers.org or call 800-509-9514.  Mr. Davison can be reached directly on 401-529-8183.