December 13. 2011 2:00AM - Last modified: March 15. 2012 12:06PM

Quad/Graphics expands creative work with Bluestem Brands

  

Quad/Graphics Inc. has signed a multi-year agreement to provide the printing, product photography, video and other media needs for Minneapolis-based Bluestem Brands, Inc., best known for its growing Fingerhut and Gettington.com brands.

The agreement is valued at more than $135 million. In addition, Bluestem Brands will benefit from system integration and efficiencies through the use of Quad/Graphics' proprietary Catalog Studio(TM) content management and workflow solution.

"This new agreement expands our service footprint with this major multi-brand retailer and represents an end-to-end solution," said Joel Quadracci, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Sussex-based Quad/Graphics. "Under the agreement, Quad will implement a new onsite facilities management arrangement where our employees will work directly with Bluestem's merchandisers and creative team on page layout and production. In addition, they will utilize our Catalog Studio solution to manage content, streamline workflows and gain efficiencies."

To support Bluestem's photography and video content creation needs, Quad/Graphics will relocate its existing studio and premedia production center to a larger facility in the Minneapolis area.

"Video is a fast-growing part of the online and mobile catalog environment, and our Bluestem agreement supports our continuing investment in video services, which are the perfect complement to digital photography," Quadracci said. "Having both photography and video produced in the same location by Quad/Graphics is going to be a major benefit to Bluestem and a differentiator for us as we continue to enhance our catalog production capabilities."

Chidam Chidambaram, Bluestem's chief marketing officer, saids Quad/Graphics' integrated solutions approach will help Bluestem streamline production in many areas.

"Quad has been our printer for many years as we have grown our Fingerhut and Gettington.com brands," Chidambaram said. "As we planned for future growth, Quad demonstrated an innovative approach through its integrated workflow solutions. It will help us better support our brand strategies, control our overall costs and get to market faster."


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