Musicians and bands interested in entering the competition should mail their most disastrous printed press kit to Jonas Music Services by February 29, 2012 along with the complete online application form available at: http://jonasmusicservices.com/worstkit.php .

Jonas Music Services’ Executive Director, Dr. Ann Lathan Kerzner, explains, “Press Kits are so essential in the marketing success of musicians and bands, but they are often poorly understood by the groups creating them. This competition is a fun way to draw attention to the making of a successful print press kit.”

Jonas Music Services LLC is an entertainment and arts marketing agency located in NewYork. Founded in 2004, the company serves musicians, entertainers, bands, agents, publicists and entertainment companies world-wide. Marketing and promotion services include websites, electronic press kits, social media solutions, print work, advertising, email promotion, CD design and much more.

More information about Jonas Music Services is available at http://www.JonasMusicServices.com or at 1-800-897-1774.

Cote adds, “We hope that this white paper will provide businesses with useful and practical tips to help make its direct mail greener.”

Additionally, green direct mail not only demonstrates a business’s commitment to the environment, it can also help to save money in certain cases.

“The Four R’s of Green Direct Mail” provides specific tactics that can be easily employed. For example, reducing materials used is one of the easiest ways to get started and includes actions such as linking to online content; using press-efficient formats; fine-tuning targeted mailing lists; and more.

And, while many marketing departments have some type of recycling program in place there are ways that businesses can also encourage their customers to recycle and make the process even that more effective.

Another “R” – reusing – may prove to be the most difficult to implement, but it may also have the greatest number of options to choose from. Finally, a business should “respond.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a company tooting its own horn,” says Cote. “If it is making efforts to become ‘greener,’ there are several ways that it can communicate this to its customer base. Everyone will benefit.”

About The Ballantine Corporation:
Family-owned since 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a New Jersey-based company offering direct marketing services to companies nationwide.

View the white paper here: http://www.ballantine.com/2011/10/10/green-direct-mail/ .

“Our IMB white paper provides readers with detailed insight into how this new barcode system works,” says Ryan Cote, director of marketing for the Ballantine Corporation. “It shares specific mailer dimensions; shows people how to create and use an IMB; and explains the difference between basic and full service.”

Until recently, the United States Postal Service (USPS) had planned to make the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) a requirement by May 2011. Despite the fact that this date has now been pushed further out, it’s still important to prepare for the changes now.

The IMB offers improved delivery, better mail tracking and greater accountability. Two of the most important new features are: each piece of mail is now uniquely identified and tracked; and free address correction services are available. This latter feature also improves delivery and reduces cost.

A video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to read the IMB can be viewed here: http://www.ballantine.com/2009/07/01/read-decode-intelligent-mail-barcode/ .

About The Ballantine Corporation: Family-owned since 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a New Jersey-based company offering direct marketing production services to companies, nationwide. For more information, visit: www.Ballantine.com .

“Our new technology works fast and provides measurable results,” says Ryan Cote, director of marketing for The Ballantine Corporation. “This integrated direct marketing program can be used by almost any type of business, but is ideal for those already using direct mail and e-mail.”

So, how does iDirect work? First, Ballantine sends out a direct mail piece to a company’s house file with a personalized URL (PURL). The direct mail piece is tracked using the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) and, when it is reported as delivered, an e-mail is triggered to the same house file to reinforce the marketing message.

For instance, a cruise line wants to announce a special spring package to previous passengers. Rather than choosing between sending out a direct mail piece or sending out an e-mail blast, the cruise line can do both in one campaign with the enhancement of a personalized URL.

PURLs are included in the direct mail piece and e-mail to drive the customer to a personalized web page. It can even process credit card orders if needed. These PURLs are customized to gather responses and full reporting is provided for the PURL, the e-mail and the delivery of the direct mail piece. An appropriate follow-up strategy can then be developed.

Ballantine can also handle all aspects of copy and design making the iDirect program a turnkey service.

About The Ballantine Corporation:
Family-owned since 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a New Jersey-based company offering direct marketing production services to companies, nationwide.

For more information, visit: www.Ballantine.com .

For example, Ballantine predicts that in 2011, marketers will see advancement in Smartphone strategies; multi-touch marketing will remain an effective strategy; social media integration will continue to explode; and more.

Even the classics are getting a new twist. By May 2011, the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) will be required by the USPS. This will provide marketers with mail-tracking capabilities making timely follow up easier.

“Other improved direct marketing trends will include data enhancement and a shift in mailer designs,” says Ryan Cote, director of marketing for the Ballantine Corporation. “For instance, many of our clients are now choosing the ‘slim-jim’ magalog. It provides a large amount of creative real estate and still mails at letter rate.”

The bottom line is this: Marketers will of course continue to market in 2011, but in many cases, with a technological and/or efficiency upgrade.

To directly download a PDF copy, click here: http://www.ballantine.com/dmtrends2011.pdf .

About The Ballantine Corporation:
Family-owned since 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a New Jersey-based company offering turnkey direct marketing services to companies, nationwide. Their Ballantine iDirect program combines direct mail, e-mail and personalized URLs with a twist to boost response. For more information about Ballantine, visit: www.Ballantine.com .

While some of their most popular imprinted promotional products include: pens, bags, caps and shirts, many clients today are asking for more tech-savvy items such as USB drives and iPhone skins. The sky’s the limit as Ballantine has access to more than 3,000 product ideas.

No job is too big or small. For example, one client requested 250 imprinted bags and another – 50,000 personalized iPhone skins. Both projects were met with top-notch, experienced customer service and delivered on time.

“Many of these items are used either as part of a direct mail campaign, for tradeshow giveaways or as corporate gifts,” adds Cote. “Promotional products are the perfect way to keep your name out there or to enhance an integrated direct marketing program.”

About Ballantine Corporation:
Founded in 1966, Ballantine Corporation continues to evolve and to meet current client demands in today’s rapidly changing marketing environment. From creative to printing, mailing and digital marketing services, Ballantine truly is a full-service direct marketing production company.

For more information about The Ballantine Corporation, visit: www.Ballantine.com .

“A primary driver of Integrative Logic’s growth has been our ability to establish leadership in the marketing industry by being an innovator in data-driven marketing,” said John Gardner, president and CEO of Integrative Logic. “In spite of a very challenging economy, our clients continue to choose to invest in the unique service, relationships and expertise that our team provides.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found on www.inc.com/5000 .

About Integrative Logic:

Integrative Logic is a direct-to-consumer marketing company serving clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Recognized as the top small business in Gwinnett County and ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in America, Integrative Logic is a leader in delivering highly effective, trackable, digital marketing solutions for companies across a range of verticals.

Clients include Galderma Laboratories, Marriott(R) and Renaissance(R) Caribbean & Mexico Resorts, Alabama Policy Institute, Kohl’s, Stein Mart, Charming Shoppes and BioLab. For more information visit www.integrativelogic.com .

Cyra’s extensive background includes 25 years of experience in online media planning, buying and management. In her new role at Integrative Logic, she will be collaborating with agency strategy teams, media planners and business analysts to infuse creative development with innovative and forward thinking.

Prior to joining Integrative Logic, Cyra worked as director of media strategy at Enversa, manager of strategic partnerships and programs at Samsung Telecommunications of America, and media director at Zunch Communications, Inc.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team and look forward to utilizing my experience to deliver strong strategic media programs to our client roster,” says Cyra. “Working with account teams and aligning the CRM component to media programs while maximizing budgets efficiencies and will help increase ROI for our clients.”

About Integrative Logic:

Integrative Logic is a direct-to-consumer marketing company serving clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Recognized as the top small business in Gwinnett County and ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the top 1200 fastest growing private companies in America, Integrative Logic is a leader in delivering highly effective, trackable, digital marketing solutions for companies across a range of verticals. Clients include Galderma Laboratories, Marriott(R) and Renaissance(R) Caribbean and Mexico Resorts and Alabama Policy Institute. For more information visit www.integrativelogic.com .

Andrews will be responsible for supervising all creative projects and staff to produce integrated direct-to-consumer marketing campaigns across multiple channels. He will also be in charge of the production of verbal, written and visual solutions, using a mixture of creative skills and creative innovation.

Andrews, a University of Georgia graduate, began his career at WSB-TV and WATL-TV in producer and art direction roles. He then worked for Blue Marble Media as senior art director before moving to Immucor, Inc. as their Creative Director.

About Integrative Logic:

Integrative Logic is a direct-to-consumer marketing company serving clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Recognized as the top small business in Gwinnett County and ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the top 1200 fastest growing private companies in America, Integrative Logic is a leader in delivering highly effective, trackable, digital marketing solutions for companies across a range of verticals. Clients include Galderma Laboratories, Marriott(R) and Renaissance(R) Caribbean and Mexico Resorts and Alabama Policy Institute.

For more information visit www.integrativelogic.com .

Ballantine Corp

Ballantine will have a booth at the PIMA MidYear Meeting in Lansdowne, VA July 16-17. This conference offers the opportunity to network with leaders in the sponsored insurance and direct marketing arena and develop new business strategies to improve ROI.

Ballantine will be in booth 124 at the Bridge Conference in Washington, D.C. July 27-28. This conference helps marketers and fundraisers learn how to effectively use integrated marketing approaches, as well as new techniques, tools and technologies to capture and engage audiences. Attendees will learn from over 75 educational sessions.

About The Ballantine Corporation:
Family-owned since 1966, The Ballantine Corporation is a New Jersey-based company offering turnkey direct marketing creative and production services to companies nationwide, including digital marketing services.

For more information, visit: http://www.ballantine.com .