PIA/GATF’s Digital Printing Council (DPC) announces the availability of the latest set of reports from its groundbreaking Marketing 4 Digital (M4D) research project. This latest set of reports is the second in the M4D series to be published in 2006, giving digital and conventional printers the information and insight they need to sell their services to 24 specific vertical market segments.

“M4D research is one of the crown jewels of DPC and PIA/GATF programs. The ambitious project was a major and much needed undertaking. Thanks to the dedicated and hard work of the graduate students from RIT and CalPoly, under the direction of Frank Romano, M4D is providing significant applicable information to help printers to succeed,” says PIA/GATF President, Michael Makin.

The newest set of reports focuses on the following vertical industries: Gas and Electric (Utilities); Hotel (Hospitality and Tourism); Office Supplies/Home Improvement (Retail Trade); Banks (Financial Services); Investment Companies (Financial Services); Travel Agencies (Hospitality and Tourism); Telecom (Utilities) and Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, etc.).

M4D research and corresponding educational seminars have been among the key initiatives supporting the Year of Digital Print. Supporting the M4D research is the continuing series of seminars around the country and hosted by PIA/GATF affiliates - to date over 500+ attendees have participated – and additionally 300+ participants attended M4D online webinars.

M4D – Powerful, Practical, Easily-Implemented Tools for Selling

All Digital Printing Council members receive the entire series of 24 reports as a benefit of membership. In addition, the studies are available for purchase through the PIA/GATF bookstore. Packages of 8 reports each are priced at $199 per set for PIA/GATF members, and $500 per set for non-PIA/GATF members. The entire 24-part series can be purchased for $499 (members)/$1200 (non-members) through the PIA/GATF Bookstore at http://www.gain.net.

Set 1 of the M4D research available focuses on the following market sectors: Advertising Agencies; Health Care (HMOs, Hospitals); Cruise Industry (Hospitality and Tourism); Department Stores (Retail Trade); Gambling and Wagering (Casinos); Automotive Industry (Manufacturers and Dealers); Insurance; and Real Estate (Brokerages).

Set 3 of the M4D research, to be published in September 2006, will detail the following segments: Food Services-Wholesale; Food Services-Retail; Associations; Education (Public and Private Higher Education only); Publishing (Magazine and Journal); Pharmaceutical (Drug Manufacturers); Religious Organizations; and Other.

For more information on the M4D program including upcoming M4D seminars visit the PIA/GATF DPC web pages at: http://www.digitalprintingcouncil.com

About Digital Printing Council

The Digital Printing Council (DPC) is a premier program and, as of 2006, a core service of PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America, Inc. and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation), providing its members and the printing industry with informative tools and publications that are designed to help firms be more productive, efficient, and generate more sales with new digital technologies.

The Digital Printing Council focuses on research and awareness about digital and personalized printing to ultimately enhance members’ knowledge about the complexities of digital printing—critical applications, industry trends, selling and marketing to customers and customers’ customers.

Most of this information comes in the form of publications, newsletters, and other printed products. The DPC also makes available an online archive of materials that can be accessed by the public and by members. As part of their membership, Digital Printing Council members also receive Designing4Digital, a multi-media customer education package series (including 2 CDs, a book, PowerPoint presentation), and more. In addition to the M4D, the Digital Printing Council research studies include: The Future of Direct Mail; Compensating Your Digital Team; and Compensation, Incentives, and Bonus Plans: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation.

For more information, please visit the DPC web pages on: http://www.digitalprintingcouncil.com