Adobe announced the general availability of Adobe Content Hub with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Assets. AEM Assets is the leading digital asset management system (DAM) used by brands to manage their entire library of images, videos and other content that drives the creation of marketing campaigns and digital experiences. AEM Assets is used by the majority of the Fortune 50, including 8 of the 10 largest media companies, 9 of the 10 largest financial services companies and 8 of the 10 largest retailers. Customers worldwide include ASICS, Cisco, The Coca-Cola Company, Henkel, Prudential Financial, T-Mobile and Volkswagen. Content Hub enables brands to reimagine how creative assets are used across their organization and with external partners, driving major efficiency gains. With a new easy-to-use interface, teams have every brand-approved asset at their fingertips while being able to access an all-in-one design tool through Adobe Express and Firefly generative AI — directly in the existing flow of work. Content Hub also removes inefficiencies by ensuring proper asset reuse and resolving any inconsistencies, while providing usage analytics and governance controls for sensitive launches. With Content Hub, brands can optimize a key component of their content supply chain, the end-to-end business process every company needs to deliver content required for marketing campaigns and personalized customer experiences.

Rising postal rates pose a significant challenge for industries that rely heavily on direct mail. However, increased costs don’t have to spell the end of your direct mail strategy. With a few strategic adjustments and considerations, brands can offset these higher rates while continuing to achieve their marketing goals. Here are some strategies to consider: 1. Optimize Mail Specifications - Postal rates often vary based on the size, weight, and format of your mail. By designing your mail pieces to fit cost-effective dimensions, you can reduce postage expenses. 2. Purchase Paper Directly from Midland - Paper costs can make up a significant portion of your direct mail budget. One effective way to manage these costs is by purchasing paper directly from Midland. 3. Utilize Postal Discounts and Programs - Take advantage of postal discounts and incentive programs offered by postal services. For example, USPS often has promotions that can help reduce costs. 4. Test and Analyze Campaigns - Regularly test various aspects of your direct mail campaigns—such as design, copy, offers, and targeting criteria. Use the results from these tests to refine and optimize future campaigns. 5. Invest in High-Quality Creative - Eye-catching, high-quality designs can significantly boost response rates. Unlike website or email designs, direct mail benefits from professional, compelling visuals and copy.

With mail volume down overall, marketers are reporting less competition and higher response rates with their direct mail and catalog campaigns. As more people stay (and shop) at home, each direct mail piece is being seen by more people in the household, and consumer catalog businesses are welcoming a significant increase in response, with many struggling to meet demand, writes Stephen Lett in Total Retail. Lett believes this favored status for catalogs and direct mail is likely to continue long after our current pandemic lifestyle is lifted. “Consumers are likely not to rush back to bars, restaurants, retail stores, etc., even when there’s a medically accepted vaccine. Many will remain cautious, adopting a wait-and-see attitude,” he writes. “Others will be set in new ways of functioning. They have adapted to a new and safer or more cautious way of living their everyday lives. The transition back to pre-COVID ways of doing things won’t be like flipping a light switch.”