Xerox Corp.

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Industry vendors continue to weave a convoluted web of interconnecting technologies and business relationships. Imagine, for a moment, if all of such connections between exhibitors at PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 had been represented physically by running strings between their booths. The result likely would have rivaled the work of even the most industrious spider. Quiet a few new strands would have been added just at the show, particularly in the areas of interfacing offset and digital workflows and marketing of new plate technologies. Though not expressly sold as JDF (Job Definition Format) solutions, that technology generally

Pulling a Winner Out Of Its Digital Press Xerox Corp. has named Lorraine Press, a Salt Lake City-based commercial printing operation, as "Best of Show" winner in its Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging Awards. An independent panel of experts awarded Lorraine Press the highest combined ratings for its winning piece, the "Marvello Flipbook Invitation." Printed on a Xerox DocuColor 8000 digital press using a Creo color server, QuarkXPress software and Darwin design tools, the innovative direct mail piece invited potential customers to the printer's open house. Four different versions were created—each with a colorful magic theme—and each copy was personalized

NEW ORLEANS—As the Gulf Coast continues to rebuild in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the printing industry—like much of the country—is doing whatever it can to ease the hardships experienced by the displaced citizens. For example, Xerox has pledged $2 million in cash and technical assistance. During PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05, Böwe Bell + Howell and Komori Corp., among others, announced donations and employee matching funds for relief groups such as the American Red Cross. The Graphic Arts Show Co. also sought charitable contributions from show attendees. According to Ed Chalifoux, president of the Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS)—which covers

Agfa Talks Tech With Printers NORTH BERGEN, NJ—Agfa recently held a one-day "Technology Showcase" for area printers, featuring its chemistry-free CTP solutions and Sublima XM screening. Deborah Hutcheson, Agfa's senior marketing manager, Digital Solutions, gave attendees an overview in a formal presentation and then two of the company's customers shared their first-hand experiences. John Santangelo, executive vice president of H&S Graphics in Lodi, NJ, conducted demonstrations of Azura aluminum plates being imaged by an Acento thermal platesetter for chemistry-free CTP production. The family owned, 10-person general commercial shop made the move to that system after trying a competitive technology. According to Tom Santangelo, president,

Tackling a sizzling-hot topic in the printing industry, the 2005 PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference scheduled for November 6-8 at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix is designed to offer attendees the critical information needed for personalized digital printing success. In the following special section you will find articles pertaining to the main topic of this upcoming PIA/GATF event. Included are a look at several digital printers who have successfully implemented variable data printing (VDP); how a leading direct marketing agency relies on VDP to boost response rates; compensation plans for digital salespeople; results from a recent study concerning postal damage to digitally printed

Two dozen exhaustive overviews on opportunities for digital printing that exist in various U.S. markets are slated to be unveiled as Marketing 4 Digital (M4D) reports this fall. Introduced during PRINT 05 and CONVERTING 05, the findings will be issued in three sets of eight reports, with the final installment being released by April 2006. Each set will consist of a book containing eight complete market reports, each about 40 to 80 pages in length. The 24 research publications were developed by the Digital Printing Council of PIA/GATF. Researched by graduate students from Cal Poly and the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Marketing 4

Helping Dealers Sell More Tires [ The Business Objective ] Manufacturers in competitive industries like automotive products need every advantage to help their dealers stand out in the marketplace. Bridgestone (www.bridgestoneamericas.com) is one of the world's largest manufacturers of tires and rubber products, with more than 1,500 dealers across Canada and the United States. With dozens of products, collateral management and fulfillment for this network could easily become a branding and logistical nightmare. Bridgestone corporate marketing sought a solution that would eliminate these problems, and make it easier for dealers and retailers to develop advertisements and other marketing materials. Another goal

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Carrying the name "Toppan" is a lot for a company to live up to in the printing industry. . .and beyond, for that matter. From its headquarters in Tokyo, the company has expanded to reportedly become one of the top two printers (commercial and publications) globally. It also has branched out into the security and cards, packaging, industrial materials, electronics and e-business solutions markets, raising its current total employment to more than 33,000 people. Along with its commercial operations, Toppan Printing has built its own Technical Research Institute and says it invested about $120 million in research and

Borgata Wins Repeat Revenue [The Business Objective] When visitors come to the luxurious Borgata Hotel (www.theborgata.com) in Atlantic City, NJ, they spend money in the hotel, the casino and the spa. In return, guests leave with memorable experiences and, since 2003, a targeted mailing campaign has helped the hotel capitalize on these memories to encourage repeat visits and drive more revenue. With its 2,000 guest rooms, 125,000 square feet of gaming area, 11 restaurants, boutiques, a spa and event space, the Borgata is an impressive property. Still, the elegant facility competes with many other casinos and hotels in Atlantic City, and Borgata managers want

Jay Pontiac-Buick—Dealership Service Offers [The Business Objective] Jay Pontiac-Buick is an automobile dealership located on the Bedford AutoMile in Bedford, OH. They have been serving the community for more than 45 years. Ron Richnavsky, service manager at Jay Pontiac-Buick, considers himself very aggressive in the promotion of his business. For years he had been investing in direct marketing and personalized mailing activities with a specific vendor. His vendor spoke about personalization, but failed to deliver any but the most basic levels of direct marketing activity. Prompt Recovery is a variable data and one-to-one marketing firm—specializing in design, printing, data management and consulting services—that has served the automotive