Prepared February 2008
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What:
RSVP® Publications is a $50 million direct mail company delivering upscale prospects to advertisers of high-end products and services.  

During the past 23 years, RSVP has perfected a system of targeting the highest-valued 20 percent of owner-occupied homes in any geographic market.  The company produces and mails decks of eye-catching, full-color, glossy postcards to this highly desirable, yet difficult-to-target, demographic. 

The majority of RSVP’s advertisers provide home-improvement products and services, such as decorating, kitchen, closet, bath, fireplace, fencing, landscaping, lighting, maintenance, roofing, painting, wall covering, and flooring.  The system links people who own and occupy upscale homes with the high-end services they desire. 

RSVP decks reach approximately 11 million unique homes a year, an annual circulation of more than 44 million card pack impressions.  More than 20,000 advertisers--from small regional businesses to large national companies--advertise through RSVP mailings. 

RSVP pioneered the use of cooperative direct mail programs for consumers.  Prior to RSVP’s consumer targeting, cooperative mailing programs were generally restricted to business-to-business marketing efforts.

Based in Tampa, Fla., RSVP is has 78 franchisees in 125 markets.  Its corporate offices employ 16 and approximately 270 people work for RSVP franchises. 

Franchise Program:
Franchisees purchase a protected geographic territory in which to market and RSVP provides a turnkey franchise program so they can concentrate on sales.  This includes intense initial training and on-going consultation, a proprietary software system for running the business, access to market research and marketing tools, access to creative services, and the time-honed mailing list system.  Its digital-to-mail production process speeds the time of production, reduces costs, saves paper, and conserves energy. 

Who:
P. David (Dave) Tropf is the Co-CEO and founder
Lawrence (Larry) Golden is Co-CEO

When:  Founded in San Francisco in 1985, RSVP Publications relocated to Tampa, Fla. in 1991. 

Where: 
RSVP Plaza, 6730 W. Linebaugh Ave. Suite 201 Tampa, Fla. 33625
800-360-7787 F813-549-3306 www.rsvppublications.com

Distinctions:

• RSVP Publications has long been dedicated to employing environmentally responsible principles.  Its printer uses FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper and vegetable-based ink and is completing its FSC Certification. 
• RSVP links people in upscale owner-occupied homes with the products and services they desire.
• It reaches only the financial demographic that can afford the advertisers’ high-end services.
• RSVP has documented success for its clients, with 80 percent of its first-time advertisers re-signing for future mailings.  Long-term advertisers report that consumers keep many RSVP postcards on file, sometimes for years.
• Advertisers can select individual markets or mail nationwide.
• It costs advertisers approximately $0.05 per home to reach highly- targeted and qualified consumers.
• Advertisers can easily track the return on investment and measure sales after implementing the RSVP program.
• RSVP offers advertisers added value by posting their postcards on the RSVP Web site, www.rsvppublications.com, where consumers can search for specific services and print advertisers’ postcard offerings.