What is the MPS?

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a data file of consumers who have registered their wish not to receive unsolicited advertising material by mail. The MPS is a not for profit service managed by the Governance Division of the Data & Marketing Association.

What is the difference between the Personal and Original File?

MPS Original - This file contains registrations at Household level, i.e the surname of the occupants at their residential address. This file is updated on a daily basis. MPS Personal - This file contains registrations at individual level, i.e the individual's name (title, forename/initial and surname) at their residential address.

How often is the file updated?

The file is updated on a daily basis.

MPS Original

The current MPS file held at household level. We will no longer be adding names to this file it will effectively be frozen as of September and re-issued annually.

How much does it cost to obtain the file?

An Annual Licence is £2000.00 + VAT. To receive a one-off file ONLY £480.00 + VAT. For a partial one-off download of up to 50% the full file ONLY £105.00 + VAT

I'm running a one off mailing campaign covering a relatively small number of addresses. How can I screen cost effectively?

You can download a one-off partial file of up to 50% of the total MPS file for just £105.00. This is a geographical download. You will need to enter the postcodes you wish to screen and the system will calculate the percentage of the file. If it is less than 50%, you can purchase the part of the MPS file associated with the postcodes you provided.

Are there any additional costs to download both the MPS Personal and MPS Original file?

No, although there will be 2 files (MPS Original & MPS Personal), there will be no extra costs.

Do I need a MPS licence if my supplier handles mailing lists?

You may not need a licence, but if you are a DMA member, you’re responsible for your suppliers’ actions under the DMA Code. So, if another business manages your mailing list – your agency or mailing house, for example – it’s your responsibility to ensure they screen the list against the MPS Register. An MPS licence can make your mailings more cost-effective, so it’s worth checking with your supplier whether they have one.

Do you provide any deduplicating software?

No, we only provide the name and address information. See our technical information for details of the file layout.

Do you anticipate, at any point, that the two files will be combined, or will they always be kept separate?

We envisage that both MPS files will be kept separate at all times. If this changes, we shall inform all Licensees.

Do MPS Licensees need to suppress against both files or just one?

Both. Use MPS Original to suppress all existing records at a household level and MPS Personal for registrations at individual level.

What happens if I mail someone who is registered on the MPS?

The consumer can complain to the MPS, which we will then write to you for an explanation. If the complaint appears to be valid, it will be passed on to the Advertising Standards Authority.

How does having a MPS licence help future-proof the advertising mail industry?

Businesses should always refer to the MPS Register before launching an advertising mail campaign to ensure they do not send mail to people who have opted out. That’s why screening mailing lists against the MPS Register and other mailing suppression files is a condition of DMA membership. By using your MPS licence to screen your mailing lists against the MPS Register, you’re helping safeguard our industry from government intervention. It shows legislators and regulators that we are responsible marketers and that the industry is capable of self-regulation. What’s more, sending advertising mail only to people who want to receive it improves campaign response rates and builds consumer goodwill towards advertising mail.