XMPie

GRAPH EXPO seemed much busier than usual for me this year—probably because, in addition to visiting booths and attending press conferences, I gave myself the added task of shooting video. Trying to capture the essence of a 630-vendor event with more than 21,000 verified attendees is no simple task, as I found out. But the videos I recorded should give those of you who couldn’t come to Chicago a good taste of what it was like there. Watch for them here on our home page in the weeks ahead. Amidst all my rushing around, I ran into a handful of in-plant managers there and

Xerox has agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. Based in New York, XMPie specializes in software that allows users to create marketing pieces with an individual’s name along with information and images based on buying preferences and personal interests. XMPie software can automatically generate related e-mails that drive customers to Web pages filled with information specifically designed for them. “Through this acquisition we are bringing the intelligence of data collection together with the quality of digital printing to provide complete, measurable solutions for multimedia marketing campaigns.” says Ursula M. Burns, president, Xerox Business Group Operations. Xerox, she says, is XMPie’s largest reseller. XMPie’s award-winning image personalization

STAMFORD, CT—Oct. 3, 2006—Building on the growth of personalized printing and multimedia direct marketing, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) has agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. A privately held company, XMPie is a leading provider of variable information software, which enables cross-media, personalized marketing programs. These programs combine communication outlets such as digitally printed direct mail, the Web, e-mail and other methods to reach customers with customized marketing materials that are relevant to the individual recipient and generate higher response rates. Based in New York, XMPie specializes in software that allows graphic designers, marketing companies and print providers to create marketing pieces with an

The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation has selected 11 technologies to receive 2006 PIA/GATF InterTech Technology awards. Each company will receive a Lucite Inter­Tech star during the competition’s November luncheon in Milwaukee. The winning technologies are: • Adobe PDF print engine, Adobe Systems • Microsystems Microcip software module, C&P Microsystems • Dalim Mistral, Dalim Software • WebCenter, Esko-Graphics • Magnum ink formulation dispenser, GFI Innovations • Zero-slip nip enhancement, Goss International Americas • KBA Genius 52 UV sheetfed offset press, KBA North America • InlineFoiler, MAN Roland • DeskDirect, PrintSoft • Liberty sheetfed inks, Sun Chemical • uImage, XMPie Inc.

In-plant managers got a chance to see the technologies they've been reading about at the recent Graph Expo show. For the many in-plant managers in attendance, the recent Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2004 show in Chicago was a graphic arts fantasy land. "I felt like a kid in a candy store," observes Mike Renn, of Mellon Corporate Publishing, in Philadelphia. "I went to take a look at the latest direct-to-plate systems and software management packages and came away with numerous options." Attendance this year was pretty healthy, he adds: "I had to wedge myself between bodies to check out the latest gear." Other managers agreed. "I

Variable Data Printing has become a buzz word. But how do you sell it to customers? What does it take to provide VDP? And how can your department profit from it? By Vic Nathan Barkin When taking aim with a rifle, the smaller the target you aim for, the more likely you are to hit that target. The very same concept can be applied to personalized variable data printing. The VDP process is much more than just printing with new technology, though; it's a fundamental change in how printing is perceived, utilized and produced. A musket in the time of the American Revolution