Communications Data Services, Inc. Helps Prominent Magazine Publishers Work Through Hurricane Katrina Aftermath.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- While postal service to the nation's Gulf Coast was recently suspended in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Communications Data Services, Inc. (CDS) customers were able to maintain financial control and client service thanks to CDS' ability to use its systems to quickly suspend mailings intended for the affected areas.

In the days after Hurricane Katrina, postal service to eight three-digit ZIP codes in Louisiana and Mississippi was suspended, impacting over 750,000 subscribers across 360 magazine titles served by CDS. Magazines sent while mail was suspended likely would have been lost, destroyed or damaged - a waste of money for subscribers and publishers alike, and an extra burden for the U.S. Postal Service as it tried to resume normal operations after the hurricane. However, some of the world's most prominent magazine publishers were managing the situation because of CDS' quick thinking, flexible fulfillment and lettershop systems.

Among those protected was Newsweek. Mary Sue Rynecki, the magazine's senior vice president of circulation, said, "Newsweek is a weekly publication, so time was of the essence. The quick reaction of CDS resulted in significant savings in both printing and postage."

Hours after postal service was suspended in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, CDS began contacting its magazine clients to report the volumes of subscribers impacted. Meantime, the CDS IT staff created programs to change the account records of impacted subscribers to a "suspend" status. Similarly, the CDS lettershop used its presort process to remove any renewal notices designated for the suspended ZIP codes. CDS accomplished all of these tasks within 72 hours of postal service being suspended to ZIP codes impacted by Katrina. As conditions improved, and postal service was restored, these processes were reversed, and suspended subscribers received a "reinstate" designation and returned to active service.

As the postal service continues its recovery from Hurricane Katrina, CDS account directors review the USPS.com Web site, which shows the status of postal operations throughout the Gulf Coast. CDS' actions are guided by the information posted on the Postal Service Web site, and daily consultations among CDS staff and magazine customers. As events warrant, CDS is prepared to adapt its systems again to help publishers maintain essential services.

Because of CDS' efforts, subscribers to magazines served by the company will receive the proper number of issues under their subscription; in lieu of issues for the period during Katrina's aftermath, subscribers may receive issues at the end of their subscription period.

"Our efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are part of CDS' continuing efforts to ensure that our customers have maximized operations efficiency, and the ability to respond quickly to business and consumer trends, as well as unforeseen events," said Tim Day, vice president, director of CDS client, mailing and marketing services. "The flexibility of our order fulfillment and lettershop systems is an excellent example of CDS' commitment to providing the highest customer service levels and most reliable magazine infrastructure."

Art Melody, fulfillment director for Reader's Digest, said, "CDS responded quickly to the situation. That quick response was beneficial for the Digest." PC World is another satisfied CDS customer. "CDS' quick and comprehensive response to the crisis is a great example of the superlative service that CDS provides, and it reminds me of just how pleased we are with this business partnership," stated PC World's Associate Circulation Director David Cobb.

About Communications Data Services, Inc.

In the business of providing outsourced services since 1972, CDS has earned a reputation for service and value. Backed by the stability and experience of The Hearst Corporation, CDS provides a complete outsourced solution for clients to manage and execute all the critical business processes that impact their customers - from order and information capture, and data imaging and management, to lettershop, printing, mailing and product fulfillment.

CDS counts among its customers an elite group of the world's leading magazine publishers, direct marketing firms, financial institutions and corporate billers. CDS brings the right mix of people, processes, technology and tools to every job we do, making CDS a trusted partner for mission-critical applications. CDS is based in Des Moines, Iowa, with facilities in Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, Canada and England. Learn more at http://www.cdsfulfillment.com./