The TouchPoints survey questioned 5,010 people to find out how they used and responded to media over the course of a week.

On average, individuals received 8.5 pieces of direct mail. But only 45% open the majority of mailings they receive, while 53% are "annoyed" by the amount of direct mail they are sent.

The survey also showed that 55% of adults are happy to receive information sent by companies from which they have bought services and products.

Over half, 57%, received direct mail that was "personally addressed", while 43% picked up "random" pieces
of mail.

TouchPoints follows research last year by DSTi Output, which claimed that banks were wasting 112.5m per year on printing marketing leaflets.

The survey was conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres.
Its survey of 1,000 16-40 year olds showed that only 30% read the marketing material, which is enclosed  with monthly statements (PrintWeek, 17 November 2005).

IPA's Touchpoints survey
45% open the direct mail they receive
4.9 pieces of "personally addressed" mail are received per person every week
3.6% receive 3.6 pieces of "random" direct mail
4.8% respond to direct mail