CDS Global
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | Des Moines, Iowa, USA (April 1, 1972) |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | North America, U.K., Australia |
Number of employees | 3,000 (2008) |
| Parent | Hearst Corporation |
| Website | http://www.cds-global.com |
CDS Global, Inc. is a privately owned, international data management company based in Des Moines, Iowa.[1]
Specialization
The company specializes in outsourced magazine fulfillment services for publishers across the globe, and is currently ranked the top fulfillment service bureau in North America.[2] In 2007, CDS Global managed 152,000,000 subscriber records, giving the company a 46.45% market share in North America.[2] Additionally, the company sends out approximately 575 million pieces of mail, receives about 180 million pieces, and handles some 8 million inbound calls annually.[3]
Additional Services
In addition to magazine fulfillment services, the company also provides customer relationship management to publishers, direct marketing firms, financial institutions, and corporate billers around the world.
International Reach
The company employs over 3,000 individuals worldwide, with sites located on three continents; Australia (Sydney), Europe (Market Harborough), and North America (Boone, Iowa; Harlan, Iowa; Red Oak, Iowa; Tipton, Iowa; West Des Moines, Iowa; Wilton, Iowa; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Prescott, Arizona; New York City; Markham, Ontario; and Montreal).
On Sept. 27, 2007, the company launched a new name, CDS Global.
History
In late 1971, Look ceased publication due to factors such as a staggering economy and rising postal rates.[5] Two months prior, the circulation department had completed the development of its new computer system that stored the names and addresses of customers on magnetic tape.
This new fulfillment system gave rise to the idea for a new business, with six Look employees looking for their first client. Edward Downe, publisher of Ladies' Home Journal and American Home, agreed to be not only the company’s first client, but also its owner – if the company was named after him. Thus, on April 1, 1972, Downe Computer Services opened with 172 employees and one client.
In 1977, the Charter Corporation in Jacksonville, Florida, started buying Downe Communications’ stock. This led to the buying out of Downe’s stock in 1978, and the changing of the company name to Charter Data Services (CDS).
Hearst Corporation acquired two Charter Corporation properties, Redbook and CDS, in 1982. After acquisition, Hearst changed the name of Charter Data Services to Communications Data Services. In 2007, the company’s name was changed to CDS Global.
International Entities
In 1993, the company purchased Tower Publishing Services Limited of England[6], and in 2007, acquired 100 percent of its stock. In 2005, Tower expanded their reach by opening an office in Sydney, Australia.
INDAS Limited of Canada was purchased by the company in 2003[7].
Since September 2007, these entities have existed as international branches of CDS Global.
References
- ^ "Largest Private Employers" (PDF). Greater Des Moines Partnership. March 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ a b "2007 Fulfillment Service Bureau Survey" (PDF). Circulation Management. January/February 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "CDS Global Company Description". Hoover's, Inc. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- ^ Elbert, David (Oct. 26, 1997). "Good Idea Grows out of Tragedy". The Des Moines Register. p. 1G-2G. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Cowles Closing Look Magazine After 34 Years". The New York Times. Sept. 17, 1971. p. 1.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Magazine Marketplace: A highly selective industry chronicle". FOLIO: Magazine. Feb. 1, 2003. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "British Venture for Hearst Unit". The New York Times. April 22, 1993. p. Business. Retrieved 2008-05-29.