Archive News
Three Cheers for Brochures
The perennial prediction that the ‘brochure is dead’ has often been voiced but demand at distributor BP Travel Marketing Services is proving the opposite. Brochure orders from travel agents, 65% of the brochure packs delivered, are so far this year on par with 2011. TUI and Thomas Cook bosses have added to the debate by revealing that brochures collected from their shops are driving web bookings and that information viewed on websites is resulting in face to face bookings in shops, often with a brochure involved in the transaction. BP’s Managing Director, Paul Markland said, “Print clearly retains a place in the............
Take One Media completes range of tourist publications
Take One Media, market leader in tourism literature distribution, has published the latest of its 2012 tourist publications. With a combined circulation of 1,500,000 copies the four publications are distributed via Take One’s extensive range of tourism literature display stands as well as other visitor information points. The continuing popularity of these publications is underlined by their proven pick-up by tourists. Philippa Harris, Take One Media's Managing Director, commented: “There are now less government and local authority funded guides so we’re filling a gap. Despite being in the e-age, spontaneous pick up of convenient publications featuring a range of attractions and local information is as great as ever.” These free publications are funded............
BP awarded two year fulfilment contract by Shearings Holidays
Shearings Holidays the UK's leading specialist tour operator has awarded their response and fulfilment contract to Orbital's specialist travel marketing division, BP Travel Marketing Services. This two year contract, which starts immediately, will see BP manage over 200,000 responses each year via web, coupon and phone with over 40,000 responses expected in January 2012 alone. BP`s Sales & Marketing Director Steve Martin commented: "We are absolutely delighted to finish 2011 having won such a prestigious account as Shearings Holidays. We will work in partnership with them to ensure their customers receive the best possible service." For further information please contact Gareth Jones or Steve............
Increase in capacity for Orbital Print
Orbital Print Ltd has taken delivery of a four-colour SRA3 litho press in order to increase their capacity and satisfy customer demand. The Ryobi press, which travelled from its previous home at a printer’s in Frankfurt, is much faster and therefore has a greater capacity than the 32 year old Heidelberg machine it replaces and which Orbital Print inherited when they acquired Minnis Print earlier this year. The newer machine is also much faster to set-up and run and will therefore provide operating efficiencies and the capacity to handle greater volumes. Both of Orbital Print’s four colour litho presses are now Ryobi’s allowing............
Trio of Readicut catalogues launched
Home-craft mail order specialist Readicut has now launched a winter catalogue for each of its three product ranges, the first complete set under new owner Orbital Marketing Services Group. The Papercraft catalogue, featuring a Christmas section, went out in August and the Knitting and Needlecraft catalogues appeared in November - all mailed via Orbital Mailing. The three catalogues sported their new look logos with some legacy products dropped and many new items introduced. Sales are already exceeding expectations. Orbital acquired Readicut from the Administrator in the summer after it declined under its previous owners. Orbital’s Response Services division was already handling all............
Orbital Merges Schools Marketing Businesses
The Orbital Marketing Services Group has merged its two education marketing brands to form a new division branded Jem Education Direct. JEM Education Marketing Services Ltd became part of the Orbital Group in 2001. In 2010 they also acquired the Education Direct mailing business which operated as a separate brand for the first 12 months. Following an in depth business review it was felt that there would be far greater benefits to their customers if the two businesses were to combine their resources. The enlarged business becomes the largest education sector mailing and direct marketing specialist, providing a comprehensive range of services............
Charities need help too!
And the latest Orbital Group company is here to provide that help. Having worked successfully with many charities and not-for-profit organisations over the years and, having an understanding of the unique approach charities have in communicating with their supporters, it was a logical progression for the Orbital Group to establish a specialist brand which could “speak their language” and offer dedicated and experienced resources to this sector. Orbital Charity Dynamics brings together all the Orbital Group's capabilities into one place, offering more than just “general” fulfillment activities. Their new website, www.charitydynamics.co.uk highlights the wide range of services available and uses the terminology and applications specific to............
Orbital buys Readicut business from Administrator
Orbital Group plucks Readicut from Administration Readicut, the long established home craft business, has recently been purchased from the Administrator by Orbital Marketing Services Group. Readicut operates three main product areas; knitting, papercraft and needlecraft, each with its own seasonal catalogue and has been outsourcing their fulfilment function to Orbital’s specialist response handling division, Orbital Response, for nearly two years. When the company went into Administration Orbital decided to buy the assets and continue serving Readicut’s database of 200,000 customers. Nick Williams, General Manager of Orbital Response, said, “We made sure there was minimal disruption to customers throughout the administration process. Everything, including............
Orbital Mailing Scoops Direct Mail Growth Award
The Royal Mail’s Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) unveiled the winners of its first awards scheme to celebrate Better Mail and Orbital Mailing was delighted to receive the ‘Mail Growth Award’ for attracting new customers to direct mail. The awards took place at the second annual SMP conference which was held at the Kia Oval cricket ground. Orbital Mailing was nominated for the award by Royal Mail’s Colin Brown who commented: “I recommended Orbital Mailing as a result of the fantastic work they have done to win new DM mailings and utilising our New Business Referral Scheme & First Time User Scheme.” The initial............
Orbital Response achieves the prestigious ARM accreditation!
Orbital Response became only the third company in England (and sixth in the UK) to be awarded the prestigious Accredited Response Management (ARM) accreditation. ARM is an accredited scheme for buyers (promoters/agencies) to gain access to proven, high quality response management companies. It recognises that response management companies work across the whole spectrum of marketing communications activity therefore no single trade body accurately reflects the full range of interests & skills. The demanding ARM scheme was unveiled in April 2008, it is designed to raise competence levels within the response handling industry, thus achieving increased customer and consumer confidence and satisfaction. ARM is a joint............
Orbital Response puts its clients in control with EMPOWER!
Orbital Marketing's response and fulfilment division, Orbital Response, has created a ground breaking new online service named Empower. Orbital Response is one of the UK’s largest specialist response and fulfilment providers (with offices in Ashford, Kent and Rushden in Northamptonshire Empower is an online stock management and ordering facility that links into Orbital’s storage and distribution services. It is particularly suited to companies such as manufacturers, dealer networks, retailers/wholesalers, charities/associations etc. In fact it can help anyone who needs to control their distribution of marketing materials. Empower can handle materials of most shapes and sizes, from single items to bulk quantities. Likely uses............
Orbital Print Launches New Web Site
Kent-based printer, Orbital Print has launched its new web site that marks the completion of its formation following the merging of two businesses. Orbital Print was formed in the second half of last year when Southern Litho Printing Co Ltd of Ashford (which traded as The Print Room) was acquired by and merged with JEM Digital Print Services Ltd of Sittingbourne. The merged business was branded as Orbital Print Ltd. The new website, www.orbitalprint.co.uk, is aimed firmly at Kent and South East businesses as well as national publishers. It reflects the company’s new branding and identity as well as the extended range............
New software to grow Orbital’s e-broadcasting division
The Orbital Group’s newest division, Orbital eConnect, recently installed the very latest e-broadcasting software ready for their planned growth in traffic during 2011. Called eConnect Mail, the system uses high capacity internet connection via secure cable and radio links from Orbital’s Ashford HQ to send e-broadcasts directly, without the use of 3rd parties. The software pre-checks e-mails for compatibility with the major browsers, manages opt-outs and provides full reporting. Orbital Group clients are able to access the system remotely to initiate their own e-mailing campaigns. Alternatively the Orbital eConnect team will manage e-broadcast campaigns on the client’s behalf as well as design............
New names for mailing & print divisions
The Orbital Marketing Services Group (OMSG) is changing the names of three of its businesses as part of a wider re-branding of its portfolio of companies and the introduction of fresh logos. MacDonald Mailing is to become Orbital Mailing and JEM Digital Print, which acquired Southern Litho Printing earlier this year, changes to Orbital Print. Orbital Mailing is based in Sittingbourne, Kent at their 60,000 sq ft premises. They run eight polywrappers, five envelope inserters with a sixth 12-station line to be added shortly, three lasers and two Buskros for high quality inkjetting of postcards, envelopes and other media. MacDonald's was established in............
Orbital becomes number one in schools mailing
Orbital Marketing Services Group has purchased the Education Direct mailing division of The Education Company Ltd for an undisclosed sum and will run it as a parallel brand within its JEM Education Marketing Services subsidiary. The combined business becomes the largest education sector mailing specialist and provides organisations wishing to communicate with schools with solus and shared mailing services, data, litho and laser print, e-mail and fax broadcasting plus a call centre and order processing facility with integrated storage, packing and delivery options. In the autumn Education Direct will move its equipment and stock from Rochester, Kent, to Orbital’s Sittingbourne site just............
Take One broadens coverage
Take One has successfully completed the acquisition of Leisure Target, the leading leaflet display company in East Anglia. Take One had minimal coverage in this major tourism area so the fit is excellent. Leisure Target, based in Wymondham near Norwich, has grown over the last 13 years and covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex. Take One MD Philippa Harris says, “Leisure Target adds value to Take One’s services by strengthening our coverage and customer base. Both Take One and Leisure Target clients will be able to enjoy broader and seamless coverage”. Former owners of Leisure Target Andrew............
