• December 6, 2005, DCP Takes Home Four Pearl Awards, Including Two Golds for Website Design and Content
• November 10, 2005, DCP Announces Results of First National Survey on Custom Publishing: Custom Magazines Rank High in Consumer Recognition
• November 7, 2005, DCP Expands Marketing Resources: Hires Amy Romanoff as Marketing Director

December 6, 2005, DCP Takes Home Four Pearl Awards, Including Two Golds for Website Design and Content
DCP, the leading Bay Area custom publisher with 26 years' experience producing award-winning content and design, was honored with four 2005 Pearl Awards. Hosted by the Custom Publishing Council (CPC), the Pearl Awards salute the best in custom publishing. Eighty-eight awards were presented in 30 categories at the second annual Pearl Awards on November 17 at the University Club in New York City.

DCP won two Gold Pearls for new Website development:

• Discovery Foods for Best New Web (Design)
• Dale Hardware for Best New Web (Editorial)

DCP won Silver and Bronze awards for Best Publication/Newsletter (Design):

• Next for Boston Scientific: Silver Pearl
• Around the Clock for Reading Hospital and Medical Center: Bronze Pearl

"Considering the quality of the hundreds of entries, we are extremely proud to win these four Pearl awards," says Jim Offel, general manager at DCP and chairman of the CPC executive board. "Earning two Gold Pearls in the Web area is particularly exciting because it confirms what we and our customers have known for a long while--that our talented design services and editorial teams can successfully transfer their skills between print and the Web."

A team of 30 judges poured over 357 entries in three judging locations to identify publications demonstrating the best in strategy, design and editorial. The editorial and design award categories focus on the best new, ongoing and improved publications, while the strategy categories look at how well the publications complement the sponsoring organization's integrated marketing campaigns, how well they achieve the organization's goals, how they prove a return on investment and what type of distribution strategy they employ.

All custom publishing companies, including independent custom publishers, divisions of larger publishing houses, advertising agencies and other media conglomerates--whether or not they were currently members of the CPC--were invited to enter the competition. Judges were key marketing executives, academics, journalists, designers, corporate strategists and publishers.

"We were overwhelmed with the response this year," says Lori Rosen, executive director, Custom Publishing Council. "As the quality of custom publications continues to excel, so does the level of competition."

November 10, 2005, DCP Announces Results of First National Survey on Custom Publishing: Custom Magazines Rank High in Consumer Recognition
DCP, the leading Bay Area custom publisher with 26 years of experience producing award-winning content and design, reports the results of a national poll conducted for the Custom Publishing Council (CPC) by Roper Public Affairs. Designed to measure perception and value of custom publications among U.S. consumers, the in-depth survey found that most people consider custom publications effective. The majority believe custom magazines are relevant and interesting, provide reliable information that promotes informed decision making, and demonstrate a company's commitment to its products/services and its customers.

While 58 percent immediately knew the term "custom publishing," once surveyers explained what custom publications were --for example, a magazine from the manufacturer of an automobile that you drive -- 80 percent said they find interesting information in these magazines and 75 percent said that they felt better informed after reading these publications. Eighty-five percent of the respondents prefer to get information in an interesting collection of articles, rather than an ad.

"The results of the Roper study confirm what we in the industry and our clients have known for a long time -- that custom publishing of branded content is a powerful medium for reinforcing and deepening relationships with customers," says Jim Offel, general manager at DCP and chairman of the CPC executive board. "We're confident that as marketers learn about the Roper study findings it will fuel the already healthy growth in custom publishing."

"The biggest questions our members receive from marketers are related to ROI," says Lori Rosen, executive director, CPC. "So we set out to answer these questions and were pleasantly surprised by the positive results. Whether they knew the term 'custom publishing' or not, an overwhelming majority of respondents had favorable impressions of the custom publications they received -- both at home and at work."

Among the findings of the CPC/Roper Public Affairs survey:

• Interesting information: Eight in ten said that when it comes to custom publications, they don't mind the sponsors' selling as long as the company is providing them with interesting information.
• Better purchasing decisions: More than six in ten said that companies that provide information about their products and services in these magazines help readers make better purchasing decisions. A majority report that they are likely to buy from these companies.
• Enhances company image: Eight in ten felt custom publications show that the sponsoring company believes in its products and services.
• Reliable: Nine in ten respondents said that accurate, reliable and usable information is the most important characteristic in a custom publication.
• Relationship builder: More than six in ten said custom publications made them feel closer to the sponsoring company. Three-quarters felt custom publications show a company's interest in building good relationships with consumers.

"One key objective of this study was to investigate whether custom publications provide a real ROI to marketers," adds Annie Weber, senior VP, deputy director of public affairs and media, at Roper Public Affairs. "Through an in-depth analysis comparing those who receive custom publications with those who don't, we found that recipients of custom pubs rate those companies more positively across key measures -- from satisfaction with products, to likelihood of recommending the company to others, to feeling like the company cares about its customers."

"Americans' Relationship with Custom Publications and the Companies that Provide Them" is based on surveys conducted by Roper Public Affairs this summer via telephone with 1001 Americans over age 18. Roper Public Affairs is part of the GfK Group, one of the world's top-five market research companies.

About DCP
DCP (www.dcpubs.com), the Bay Area's leading custom publisher, provides complete print and online custom publishing services to a diverse group of clients, including the American Cancer Society, Catholic Healthcare West, Sunset Development Company, the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. With 26 years of experience and an award-winning creative team, DCP develops integrated marketing programs that help companies communicate brand value, deepen customer loyalty and increase revenue. DCP is part of the Diablo Publications group, one of the country's largest independent regional publishers.

About CPC
The Custom Publishing Council (CPC) (www.custompublishingcouncil.com) is the leading association for the custom publishing industry in North America and is focused on promoting the growth and vitality of this dynamic marketing discipline. Founded in 1998, the CPC has 70 members.

November 7, 2005, DCP Expands Marketing Resources: Hires Amy Romanoff as Marketing Director
DCP, the leading Bay Area custom publisher, has named Amy Romanoff as marketing director. Amy will oversee branding and strategic marketing initiatives for DCP.

"As more and more companies are realizing the power of custom publishing, DCP is expanding its services and client base," says Jim Offel, general manager of DCP and chairman of the Custom Publishing Council (CPC) executive board. "Amy's wealth of expertise in developing and implementing successful strategic marketing programs will help us take full advantage of the emerging opportunities."

"DCP has a long history of producing award-winning content and design that helps companies strengthen relationships with their customers," says Amy Romanoff. "With an impressive and satisfied client base behind us, I'm eager to communicate DCP's message more broadly and help fuel the company's growth."

With more than 10 years' experience in the publishing industry, Amy has served as associate publisher/marketing director at Sybex, and has worked as a literary agent, representing nonfiction authors to major publishing houses. Amy began her marketing career 20 years ago, helping high-tech companies establish innovative marketing programs. She received an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

About DCP
DCP (www.dcpubs.com), the Bay Area's leading custom publisher, provides complete print and online custom publishing services to a diverse group of clients, including the American Cancer Society, Catholic Healthcare West, Sunset Development Company, the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. With 26 years' experience and an award-winning creative team, DCP develops integrated marketing programs that help companies communicate brand value, deepen customer loyalty and increase revenue. DCP is part of the Diablo Publications group, one of the country's largest independent regional publishers.