Archive Observations: A Political Battle Royale
October 1, 2009 by Paul Bobnak, archive director, Who's Mailing What! Archive
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Remember that nice, post-Inauguration glow? Well, it was nice while it lasted; it was back to politics as usual in July's mailstream. The centerpoint of efforts by both main U.S. political parties is, of course, President Barack Obama and his administration's agenda.
After a few months of pondering their next moves, some Republican bodies opted on a strategy of being anti-Obama. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (Archive code #608-173369-0907A) mailed an "Official Document" in a #10 OSE, a "Stop Obama Survey", with the typical no-gray-area answers. The Republican State Leadership Committee (Archive code #608-717766-0907) mailed a survey along the same lines, but with perhaps, a more apt question in large red type on the front of the #14 envelope: "What is wrong with the Republican Party?"
For their part, Democrats went to old firebrands to rally the party faithful. James Carville, for example, writing in a membership renewal for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (Archive code #608-171855-0907B), presented the choice between the two parties Congressional bickering as a simple matter of the difference between "YES We Can" and "The Party of NO." Helpfully, those slogans were also put on reply stickers showing through the front of the campaign's double-window #11 envelope.
As the debate over health care reform and other issues intensifies, there will undoubtedly be more of the same showing up in the mail, so hang in there. After all, the 2010 mid-term elections are only 13 months away.
Easy As 1-2-3
Two long-time efforts by postage providers to business are quite similar in the benefits they emphasize, even though the products themselves are somewhat different. Since August 2008, Pitney Bowes (Archive code #810-171713-0906) for its mailstation 2 postage meter system has offered an incentive: $20 in postage a month for two years. The address side of the 6 "x 10-3/4" three-panel self-mailer emphasizes the ease of use for small business users in mailing packages: "Weigh it. Print it. Mail it. ALL-IN-ONE." Inside, over two panels, each step's features is explained in a way that shows how it helps the business. Also, the offer is no-risk for 60 days.
The front of 5" x 6-1/2" self-mailer for Stamps.com (Archive code #810-606731-0907A) illustrates how its product operates, from "Click" to "Print" to "Postage." In addition to free postage, supplies and a scale, the deal is sweetened with a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate. To get started, a CD is included in the mailer's inside sleeve, so an account can be instantly created. Likewise, this service is offered on a trial basis.
After a few months of pondering their next moves, some Republican bodies opted on a strategy of being anti-Obama. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (Archive code #608-173369-0907A) mailed an "Official Document" in a #10 OSE, a "Stop Obama Survey", with the typical no-gray-area answers. The Republican State Leadership Committee (Archive code #608-717766-0907) mailed a survey along the same lines, but with perhaps, a more apt question in large red type on the front of the #14 envelope: "What is wrong with the Republican Party?"
For their part, Democrats went to old firebrands to rally the party faithful. James Carville, for example, writing in a membership renewal for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (Archive code #608-171855-0907B), presented the choice between the two parties Congressional bickering as a simple matter of the difference between "YES We Can" and "The Party of NO." Helpfully, those slogans were also put on reply stickers showing through the front of the campaign's double-window #11 envelope.
As the debate over health care reform and other issues intensifies, there will undoubtedly be more of the same showing up in the mail, so hang in there. After all, the 2010 mid-term elections are only 13 months away.
Easy As 1-2-3
Two long-time efforts by postage providers to business are quite similar in the benefits they emphasize, even though the products themselves are somewhat different. Since August 2008, Pitney Bowes (Archive code #810-171713-0906) for its mailstation 2 postage meter system has offered an incentive: $20 in postage a month for two years. The address side of the 6 "x 10-3/4" three-panel self-mailer emphasizes the ease of use for small business users in mailing packages: "Weigh it. Print it. Mail it. ALL-IN-ONE." Inside, over two panels, each step's features is explained in a way that shows how it helps the business. Also, the offer is no-risk for 60 days.
The front of 5" x 6-1/2" self-mailer for Stamps.com (Archive code #810-606731-0907A) illustrates how its product operates, from "Click" to "Print" to "Postage." In addition to free postage, supplies and a scale, the deal is sweetened with a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate. To get started, a CD is included in the mailer's inside sleeve, so an account can be instantly created. Likewise, this service is offered on a trial basis.
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