The DDF is a global industry group that promotes interactive marketing with print, and Xerox is a leader in digital printing and workflow technologies, which include software and systems that help direct a print job from creation and ordering to fulfillment and distribution. The two will work together on events, presentations and knowledge-sharing on the growing role of digital printing in interactive marketing.

"Digital printing is a very dynamic, complementary technology that is developing at a much faster pace than traditional printing, and the moment is perfect to move it forward," said Andreas Weber, DDF spokesperson and respected industry consultant. "As a market leader and innovator with a strong customer base, Xerox brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the DDF community. We'll develop some powerful programs together."

Xerox pioneered digital printing and leads the digital black-and-white and color production printing markets today.

"Our customers are using digital technologies to change the business of marketing communications by producing individualized marketing materials that deliver superior response rates and better manage customer information than traditional systems," said Thomas F. Wetjen, vice president and general manager, Xerox Worldwide Graphic Communications Industry Business. "Our work with the DDF will help our customers achieve even greater success, enabling more designers and marketers to benefit from powerful, cost-effective cross-media communications programs."

Cross-media communications programs use multiple media, such as Web sites and print, in coordinated communications efforts. For example, a direct mail piece might entice the recipient to visit a Web site where a reward is available in exchange for personal information, such as purchase intent in the direct mailer's product category.

Xerox and the DDF have already begun working together. For example, at the recent drupa printing trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany, the GWA (Gesamtverband Werbeagenturen), the largest association of German advertising agencies, toured the Xerox exhibit as part of a DDF function. There, they reviewed new technologies and workflow management systems for streamlining the connection between printing applications and printing systems. In addition, the DDF's Weber delivered a series of presentations on business development as part of the Xerox exhibit.

As a DDF partner, Xerox will help organize and provide executive presentations for the twice-yearly DDF Congress & Symposium held in different cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries; contribute to industry discussions and information sharing; and participate in the DDF's collaborative industry initiatives. Current efforts are addressing such topics as production printing automation and development of easy-to-use, Web-based digital printing applications.

As a Xerox partner, DDF will work with Xerox to enhance the company's interactions with graphic arts suppliers via the Xerox Graphic Arts Premier Partners organization consisting of the leading Xerox graphic arts customers and to enhance ongoing Xerox programs for advertising/marketing agencies and other creative services companies.

About DigitaldruckForum
DigitaldruckForum, based in Johannes Gutenberg's hometown of Mainz, Germany, is an industry group dedicated to promoting digital printing and interactive marketing with print media. Its programs include industry conferences, collaborative industry initiatives aimed at developing interactive media applications, publications and the Web site www.digitalprintingforum.org. It fosters discussion and information sharing among 6,500 members representing print, design and marketing concerns.