Who Is ‘Anne Tisdale’?
What inspired you to create a mail company to serve the needs of business clients, non-profit organizations, and others?
As a Baltimore native, and someone with a passion for communications in general, and mailing list brokering in particular, I saw the need for a locally based company focusing on prompt and efficient mailing and printing services, for a variety of clients. So I launched Anne-Tisdale in 1987. Catering to the needs of business-to-business clients and corporations was a relatively simple matter; there was a vibrant market and plenty of opportunities. My true passion, however, was to serve the large number of non-profits in the area, many of whom need help with the basics: choosing the best way to reach their audience with mailings. So I created a company, with the right employees and equipment, to handle all mailing needs, from data processing, labeling, sorting, packaging, tabbing, and stamping, to design, printing, hand assembly, and distribution.
What makes you unique?
From the get-go, AT Direct has always maintained a people-first attitude. I enjoy working with people and helping them solve their problems. It is incredibly motivating and fun. And I like the people I work with and enjoy being around them. That’s what gets me out of bed everyday to come to work. The staff here are caring, they have a sense of humor, they’re respectful, and they understand what being a team means. The environment we create and nurture here is the one we all want to be a part of. As I like to say, “Without everybody in here, we’d be nothing.”
I believe that attitude shapes what other people — especially our customers, vendors, friends, and visitors — think of us. People want to be around other people who are easy to work with, understanding, dedicated, enjoyable, and successful. Most important, we are people who care — that’s somewhat unique. We seek to treat other people the way we want to be treated, with utmost respect.
So, who is ‘Anne-Tisdale’?
We all are. In 1987, I named my company Anne-Tisdale, which is a European version of my surname, to honor my family’s heritage, strength, and honest, dedicated work ethic. Most of the companies in this industry started as small, family-owned businesses. And many of those family businesses have changed or gone away. We are still here, though. This is a family, this is my family.
Why do customers choose you?
Most other companies are built on production — we are built on experience. We have 30+ years of experience, in fact, handling a wide array of printing and mailing services. As many of our competitors say, “Everything we know we learned from Anne-Tisdale.”
What we sell is solutions. We look at all aspects of a project, seeking the best way to do the work, on time, as cost-effectively as possible, and with a smile. Our goal is to make your projects go as smoothly as possible, to allow you to be as successful as possible, and build on the future with you.
We want to be your business partner in all things direct.
Judith E. Antisdel
Under the leadership of founder Judith E. (“Judy”) Antisdel, AT Direct has earned professional designations ranging from US Postal Service Non Profit Specialist to US Postal Service Mail Manager. She is a frequent guest speaker at symposia and workshops offered by the federal government and various non-profit organizations. Judy’s numerous awards and memberships include:
- Winner, U.S. Postal Service National Forum Design/Idea Award
- Member and Industry Co-Chair, The Greater Baltimore Postal Customer Council
- Member, Printing Industries of Maryland
- Member, American Marketing Association
- S. National Postal Forum Gold Award – Greater Baltimore Postal Customer Council Communications Award
- Greater Baltimore Committee – Bridging the Gap Award
- Baltimore Orioles – Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner
- National Chamber of Commerce – Blue Chip Minority Partner Award
- Certified MBE, Baltimore City and State of Maryland
A Baltimore native, Judy is an alumna of Baltimore Lutheran High School. She attended Towson State University, Goucher College, the University of Maryland, and the University of Delaware, for courses in marketing, advertising, writing, IT (information technology), and mass communications.
Prior to founding AT Direct, Judy served as project manager and list broker for Computermail Associates, Inc., and was named the company’s vice president in 1986. Earlier in her career, she served as marketing coordinator for the Health and Education Council, a continuing education consortium of the Baltimore County Health Department, Essex Community College, and Franklin Square Hospital.