IRVINE, CA—October 24, 2008—MindFireInc®, a leading developer and distributor of marketing intelligence and sales automation software, has announced that Arie Abecassis, an IT industry veteran, has joined the firm as President and Chief Operating Officer. Abecassis brings more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, entrepreneur and investor in emerging technology and information services businesses.
IN ORDER to remain competitive and profitable, graphic communications providers must travel beyond just putting ink on paper—expanding their services to variable data, the Web and cross-media. The first annual PIA/GATF “Converge: Variable Data, Web Services and Cross-Media Conference” will be held September 20-23 in Phoenix. Three tracks containing fundamental, advanced, and sales and marketing sessions, make this conference suitable for companies just beginning to redefine their digital services, as well as veteran practitioners. This special section has been designed to highlight some of the key conference topics and speakers. The Converge Conference is a combination of PIA/GATF’s Workflow and Variable Data and
Magic 8-Ball Says ‘Ask Again’ THE POLICE officer who has a car stolen. The fireman with dead batteries in a smoke detector. The magazine editor who sends an e-mail out with typos in it. There’s a special kind of embarrassment that comes with screwing up at something related to one’s own profession. Yet, one of the regrettable truths of the printing—aka graphic arts, marketing services, communications—industry is that many member companies have a poor track record when it comes to sending out self-promotion campaigns to their own customers and prospects. Adoption of digital printing has been a game changer because of the need to
Planting Pinwheels for Peace AMBLER, PA—Kathy Davis Studios recently set out to spread the message of world peace. Pinwheels for Peace, a global art therapy project founded by two teachers in Florida, was chosen as the ideal venture to teach local children and raise awareness over important global initiatives. For the past two years, on September 21 (International Day of Peace), pinwheels are assembled around the world and “planted” into the ground as a public statement and art exhibition. In 2006, more than 1 million pinwheels in some 2,300 locations across the globe were displayed. The project was localized when Kathy Davis encouraged 100-plus
The combination of KODAK DARWIN VI Authoring Tool and LOOK WHO’S CLICKING Software offers a powerful multi-channel solution to increase effectiveness and direct mail ROI CHICAGO—Sept. 9—MindFireInc, the industry leader in linking off-line marketing channels with the Internet, announces an agreement with the Print On-Demand Solutions (PODS) Group, an independent unit of Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. The goal of the partnership is to combine the power of personalized direct mail campaigns with Personalized URLs and landing pages for better conversion of prospects, detailed response profiling, and in-depth tracking of campaign results. LOOK WHO’S CLICKING Software, MindFireInc’s flagship product, is a robust web-based software program
Group Visits KBA’s German Headquarters RADEBEUL, GERMANY—KBA North America invited a select number of U.S. and Canadian printers, as well as industry journalists, to visit its headquarters and sheetfed press manufacturing facility here recently. The group was treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the factory assembly hall; the R&D facility; product demonstrations on the new-generation, 41˝ Rapida 105 five-over-five perfector press and the large-format, 56˝ Rapida 142 four-over-four perfector; and visits to several area printers that are utilizing KBA presses in sophisticated markets. Time was also spent sightseeing in Dresden and Leipzig. “Our open house in Germany provided printers with an in-depth education on
Here’s an exclusive, PRE-SHOW PREVIEW showcasing new products submitted by many of the exhibitors that will be displaying their wares next month in Chicago. Colter & Peterson will showcase the BASA 3, which features an automatic jogging system that can automatically form layers of printed sheets, align them accurately and transport them to the subsequent cutting process. The BASA 3 is appropriate for paper from 16-lb. bond to 125-lb. tag, and is effective when combined with a modern, rear-table-feeding system. Existing gripper transport systems can be retrofitted. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter: enter #377 MBO America will introduce the Super KTZ, featuring a knife-folding unit that
THE FIFTH annual PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference, held November 12-14 in Phoenix, will feature more than two days of sessions to help companies advance their capabilities. This special supplement has been designed to highlight some of the key conference topics and speakers. Attendees will hear case studies from the Canadian Conservative Party and Move.com that provide a behind-the-scenes look at effective uses of VDP. Three separate tracks, a total of 21 sessions, are being offered. Management sessions will include: Building an Efficient Cost/Financial Model; Liability/Security Issues; Managing a Multimedia Company; Transitioning from Transactional to Marketing; as well as Profiting from Digital
