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March 10, 2010

Global Source Link Accounts Go to Proforma
Proforma, Cleveland, announced it is taking over the accounts of Global Source Link, a Fort Scott, Kan., provider of back-office services for distributors of printing, promotional products and office supplies. GSL was formed 12 years ago under the name Ward/Kraft Financial Services. It had been providing about 100 clients with order financing, invoicing, accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, and sourcing services. Under terms of the deal, GSL clients, which generate about $30 million in annual sales, immediately become members of Proforma’s growing network of franchisees, which exceeded 700 prior to the GSL deal. According to GSL President Michael Del Chiaro, GSL’s accounts will be “grandfathered” into Proforma’s ranks with no changes in fees or services for two years. “It’s a fantastic deal,” he said. “GSL accounts get to participate in a $400 million company, test drive it for two years and then decide if they want to stay.” He added that “welcome kits” from Proforma are in the mail and that GSL “will maintain a transition staff.”

Facebook Fandom and Real World Sales
Researchers studied a Houston-based restaurant chain and found that the company's Facebook fans visited 36 percent more often and spent 33 percent more than other customers. Still, the researchers say they're cautious about the results. "Facebook fan pages may work best as niche marketing programs targeted to customers who regularly use Facebook. Social-media marketing must be employed judiciously with other types of marketing programs," said one researcher. MORE

Facebooking a Military Operation
The Israeli military recently canceled a raid on a West Bank village after a soldier posted the time and location of the planned assault on his Facebook page. A campaign to create awareness of the dangers of leaking intelligence over social networks has been launched at military bases in the aftermath of the incident. MORE

The Latest on Generational Differences
Focusing on Millenials, the American teens and twenty-somethings making the passage into adulthood at the start of a new millennium, a new Pew Research Center report describes them as confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change. They are more ethnically and racially diverse than older adults. They're less religious, less likely to have served in the military and are on track to become the most educated generation in American history. Their entry into careers and first jobs has been badly set back by the recession, but they are more upbeat than their elders about their own economic futures as well as the overall state of the nation. Millennials are history's first "always connected" generation. Steeped in digital technology and social media, they multitask and treat their hand-held gadgets almost like a body part. More than 80 percent say they sleep with a cell phone by the bed, and nearly two-thirds admit to texting while driving. MORE

Champion Reduces Losses
Champion Industries Inc., Huntington, W. Va., announced a net loss of $213,000 for Q1, compared to a net loss of $634,000 in last year’s Q1. Income improved to $890,000 for the quarter compared to $2,000 in 2009, resulting in part from improved gross margin, which partially offset a sales decline, and lower selling, general and administrative costs.

Cenveo Narrows Q4 Loss
Cenveo Inc., Stamford, Conn., posted a Q4 loss of $9.4 million, compared with a loss of $309.6 million last year. The latest quarter included charges of $18.7 million, while the year-earlier period included restructuring, impairment and other charges of $377 million, partially offset by an $18.5 million gain for retiring debt. Sales declined 12 percent to $456.8 million from $517.2 million. For the year, Cenveo posted a loss of $30.9 million, compared to the loss of $298 million the year before. Sales fell to $1.71 billion from $2.1 billion.

PSDA Suppliers Host Presentation
Emerging Solutions Now and Strata-Tac recently hosted a Chicago-area seminar for digital printers to present information on the GIC ModuForm integrated converting unit, which allows digital and litho-printed documents to be converted into integrated cards, labels, magnets and other applications. The presentation included a tour of Strata-Tac’s new St. Charles facility.

March 03, 2010

Appleton Q4 Report
FORMost Develops W2P Solution for Ford
More Pazazz
What Do Neil Young and the PEAK Awards Have in Common?
PSDA Partners with MFSA at 2010 Print Solutions Conference & Expo
Case Study: Who Knew Labels Could be Thrilling?
Donnelley Buys Bowne
48HourPrint.com Buys InfoWave Technologies
5 Day Business Forms Acquires Forum Business Forms
Strata-Tac Moves to New Plant
Rockford Forms & Graphics Becomes Meridian