Communications and Society Program

International Mailing Initiative

Aspen Institute Initiative for the International Mailing Industry

The objective of the Initiative is to foster a common understanding of the major problems facing the global mailing industry, to create a shared vision of the global postal market of the future, to encourage a mindset that rewards growth and innovation, and to develop proposals and initiatives for greater industry collaboration. The Initiative will explore issues of global importance, but will focus initially on the specific issues facing the European mailing industry.

The project will consist primarily of two roundtables per year among CEO/COO/Presidents of major postal operators (national operators and private new entrants), express courier companies, customers, advertising agencies, technology providers and selected thought leaders to discuss developments, create new visions and design models of the global mailing industry.  In between these sessions, representatives at the chief strategy level will meet to plan for the next meeting, develop proposals, and follow-up on items initiated at the top-level executive meetings. Where appropriate we will gather or commission research for use at the roundtables. Outcomes will include new initiatives, collaborations and/or new insights into the industry.

The Initiative convened its first strategy meeting in October 2006 with full roundtable January 29-30, 2007.