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Contact: Nathan Christopher Public Relations Manager (212) 872-3731 nchristopher@magazine.org |
$10 MILLION POSTAL REFORM CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED BY MPA
New York, N.Y. (January 28, 2000) - In an unprecedented move, the Board of Directors of the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) committed the organization to a $10 million campaign to fight the newly proposed 15% postal increase and to aggressively pursue much-needed reform of the postal system.
"The Postal Service's message to the magazine industry is clear. Our readers and we are being told that we have to pay the price for the Postal Service's inherent inefficiencies and out-of-control cost structure. It is intolerable. We intend to fight the battle with every weapon at our disposal," said Nina B. Link, President of the Magazine Publishers of America.
Details of the three-year campaign will be announced shortly, but the MPA intends to seek the support of other like-minded organizations, such as book and newspaper publishers, as well as publishing partners and vendors that stand to be severely harmed. The highest caliber professional lobbying and public relations firm will be sought out and retained.
"No one should underestimate the difficulty of the task MPA is undertaking. But this effort must be made, and we support it fully," said Don Logan, Chairman, President and CEO of Time Inc. and MPA Board Member.
The Board committed the MPA to a full-scale attack on the excessive rate proposal, vowing to leave no stone unturned in the fight to reduce the rate hike to a level more in line with current low levels of inflation. Expressing disappointment with the Postal Service's inability to manage its operations and to control costs, the MPA will seek to educate the public and Congress about the failings of the current postal system and the need for fundamental restructure and reform.
"Something is terribly wrong with a postal system that targets magazines, books and newspapers for the highest increases. It's time for fundamental reform," said Cathleen P. Black, President, Hearst Magazines and Chairman of the Board of the MPA.
The MPA's initiative will operate on many levels - from a grass roots campaign to one on Capitol Hill. One aspect will be to explore delivery of magazines by private companies and alternative operators who can deliver magazines to readers in a timely, inexpensive manner. Another element of the effort will incorporate an extensive magazine advertising campaign within the pages of MPA member magazines that would reach nine out of ten American consumers.
"We want the American people and their elected representatives to know what's at stake here—not just for their magazines, but for the future of the postal system itself. We will be heard—and we hope others will join with us," said Christopher M. Little, President of Meredith Corporation Publishing Group, Vice Chairman of the MPA Board of Directors and Chairman of the MPA Government Affairs Council.
Magazine Publishers of America is the industry association for the consumer magazine business. Established in 1919, the MPA represents more than 240 domestic publishing companies with approximately 1,200 titles, more than 80 international companies and more than 100 associate service providers. Staffed by magazine industry specialists, the MPA is headquartered in New York City, with an office of government affairs in Washington, D.C.
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