The Universal Postal Union has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), one of the largest global trade associations in the field. The agreement will enable closer collaboration in areas such as information exchange, training, research, environmental protection and funding of UPU-targeted projects.
The memorandum was signed by the Director General of the UPU, Edouard Dayan, and the DMA CEO, John A. Greco, Jr, in Berne, Switzerland, on April 2 at the former's International Bureau. During the signing, Dayan remarked that the agreement "focuses on one of the most important business opportunities for the Post: direct mail and direct marketing". These were "closely related to e-commerce and to other electronic media, converging in order to fulfil the needs of the customers of the Post – many of which are represented by associations like the DMA". Greco added that the partnership would enable the two parties to "continue to be at the forefront and lead the way for creating benchmarks, leveraging best practices, and increased effectiveness of the global multi-channel marketplace".
Direct mail and postal services and products related to direct marketing make up at least a third of domestic letter-post volumes worldwide, accounting for 38% in 2007. The DMA is a global trade association of more than 3,600 businesses and non-profit organizations working with direct-marketing tools and techniques. Founded in 1917, the DMA has members in 49 nations and is headquartered in New York.
The UPU has signed MOUs with a number of organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, UNI Global Union, the World Savings Bank Institute and the International Organization for Standardization.