Quad/Graphics Expands Service Footprint with Bluestem Brands

Quad/Graphics, Inc. has signed a multi-year agreement with Minneapolis-based Bluestem Brands, Inc., best known for its growing Fingerhut and Gettington.com brands. The agreement, which will exceed $135 million over its contract term, covers all printing, paper procurement, premedia, and page layout and production services as well as all product photography and video content creation services. In addition Bluestem Brands will benefit from system integration and efficiencies through the use of Quad/Graphics’ proprietary Catalog Studio 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, Quad/Graphics Chairman, President & CEO. “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, says 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.”