Revenues, Depreciation/Amortization and Segment Profit by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 579,500	$ 523,800	$ 540,200	$ 518,600	$ 595,300	$ 528,400	$ 565,300	$ 547,000	$ 631,100	$ 572,400	$ 580,000	$ 550,000	$ 2,162,084	$ 2,235,959	$ 2,333,512
Intersegment revenues													114,600	106,800	84,500
Depreciation and amortization													57,955	60,708	61,446
Segment profit (loss)													230,600	238,000	225,000
Shared Mail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers													1,365,550	1,350,750	1,307,234
Intersegment revenues													16,200	16,800	16,800
Depreciation and amortization													31,800	36,800	41,000
Segment profit (loss)													201,400	191,900	156,800
Neighborhood Targeted
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers													326,378	374,738	479,868
Intersegment revenues													58,300	50,400	27,600
Depreciation and amortization													4,300	4,200	4,300
Segment profit (loss)													(1,000)	7,700	20,600
Free Standing Inserts (FSI)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers													283,907	315,975	367,638
Intersegment revenues													40,100	39,200	39,700
Depreciation and amortization													12,800	12,700	12,800
Segment profit (loss)													21,900	14,100	24,900
International, Digital Media and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers													186,249	194,496	178,772
Intersegment revenues													0	400	400
Depreciation and amortization													9,100	7,000	3,300
Segment profit (loss)													$ 8,300	$ 24,300	$ 22,700