Case Study: Veritas Gifts

Background:

Based in Dorking, Surrey, Veritas designs and makes unique corporate gifts and accessories for some of the world's most high profile companies and retail stores.

Specialising in high quality sterling silver, silver-plated gifts, cufflinks and leather accessories, the company produces both bespoke and own label designs for a wide variety of clients. Veritas' website can be found at: www.veritasgifts.co.uk.

Publishing Dilemma:

Veritas produces a variety of catalogues depending on the target market and also the range of products being showcased.

One recent product launch involved a brand new collection of Formula 1 products ranging from branded USB sticks, carbon fibre key rings, phone chargers to leather accessories.

To facilitate its marketing efforts, the company decided to produce an online digital catalogue to accompany the offline printed version.

Of critical importance to Veritas, especially with the launch of high end products like the Formula 1 collection, was that the online catalogue had to embody perfect production values and add to the visual experience, not detract from it.

Publishing Solution:

Veritas chose e-publishing specialist, YUDU Media, as its digital catalogue technology partner.

Using YUDU Media's technology, Veritas transferred its offline printed version into a page turning digital edition. To view, please click here.

The offline printed version was augmented online by the use of features such as 'click and print'; compatibility viewer for visually impaired individuals; quick zoom for product enlargement; bookmarking and page notes for easy reference; contextual search for quick product location; 'save' facility for offline viewing (to name just a few of the added-value features).

Initially the online catalogue was used as a sales aid whereby the sales team could talk to a client and then email the catalogue within a few seconds.

Result:

Very early on, the Veritas sales team estimated that 30% of their sales calls could be 'closed' without the need for a printed version being sent.

The reduction in the cost of postage alone paid for Veritas' Formula 1 digital brochure quite comfortably. The company has subsequently decided to decrease its hard copy print production for its next catalogues.

The overall cost saving for the entire Formula 1 project was approximately 20% of Veritas' projected marketing costs.

It is envisaged that this level of cost saving will increase significantly for Veritas' next brochure (when the company will further reduce the hard copy print run of its catalogue). Indeed, cost savings for its Christmas catalogue are projected to be 35% and upwards.

One additional side benefit is that the company has a large group of clients who are now familiar with the digital catalogue concept. According to Veritas, this will ensure the clients will be far more willing to accept the format in place of a traditional brochure in future.

Ian Atkins, Marketing Director of Veritas Gifts, says: "The major impact of the digital catalogue came from the immediacy of the medium; we were able to talk to clients, have our brochure to them in seconds and discuss their requirements all within the same telephone conversation."

Atkins continues, "Added to YUDU Media's superb technical production and hassle-free process and we were delighted with the whole project from start to finish."