They handle 710 million consumer sales promotions, 65 million customer service interactions and 1 billion transactions annually, including 180 million payments totalling $7.1 billion,[1] through 16 facilities in the U.S., and the U.K.[2]
In 1971, Look magazine built a computer system that, for the first time, stored the names and addresses of their customers on magnetic tape.[citation needed]
Two months later, when Look ceased publication, six employees took this new fulfillment service to Edward Downe, Jr., publisher of Ladies Home Journal and The American Home. He agreed to be their first client, and owner, opening Downe Computer Services April 1, 1972, with 172 employees.[4]
Hearst Corporation acquired two Charter Company properties in 1982, Redbook and CDS, which they rechristened Communications Data Services and then, in 2007, CDS Global.[5]
The number of magazine titles served increased as CDS Global acquired other fulfillment companies, including Tower Publishing[6] and Optima[7] in the U.K. and INDAS[8] in Canada. Electronic payment capabilities were expanded when CDS Global acquired PayDQ in 2011.[9]
CDS Global is the largest magazine fulfillment service provider, managing more than 1,000 print and digital magazine titles.[11]
Non-profit
CDS Global provides donations processing, donor acknowledgements, marketing services and customer service to non-profits.[12]
Higher education
CDS Global provides gift processing, donor/alumni acknowledgements, fulfillment services and customer service to higher education institutions.[citation needed]
Customer care agents deliver mail, online, email, chat and phone support, for billing, sales and level-one technical issues.[14]
Data
CDS Global manages 159 million customer files[15] for nearly 60 percent of the publishing industry and advises businesses on transactional, communication and service best practices.[16]
Ecommerce
Client-branded web stores are supported by order management, payment processing, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and customer service.
Mailing
Services include printing, personalization and presorting of acknowledgements, bills and renewals.
Marketing
710 million personalized print and digital communications, delivered via email, mail and phone. 95,000 online marketing pages managed.[17]
Order management and fulfillment
In addition to physical product delivery, CDS Global handles subscriptions, recurring billings, digital access,[18] and account services.
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}