WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today recognized Consumer Cellular with its Corporate Business Achievement Award for the company’s commitment to a successful business partnership with the Postal Service. A select group of postal customers is acknowledged and recognized for their contributions to the continued success of the mailing industry at the annual National Postal Forum.

The Corporate Business Achievement Award, one of three “best in class” awards presented annually at the Forum, recognizes postal customers who have demonstrated a commitment to their relationship with the Postal Service while producing winning results and strengthening their business.

Headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR, Consumer Cellular (CC) was launched in 1995 and has grown into one of the country’s top purchasers/resellers of cellular service. CC provides nationwide service as an alternative wireless service provider. It offers special cell phone programs with no yearly contract, focusing on senior citizens, credit unions, and numerous associations. CC also has a wholesale division that sells service to other telecommunication companies and their customers.

By purchasing cellular services from the nation’s largest providers, including AT&T and Verizon at a substantial discount, CC passes along these savings to associations, businesses, and consumers. CC recently partnered with AARP, obtaining the title, “AARP Preferred Cellular Provider.” It also has partnered with numerous American Auto Association (AAA) clubs across the nation.

In fall 2006, CC was in the process of designing a custom plastic tray that could fit perfectly into a Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. The Postal Service worked with CC to create a standardized shape enabling CC to stack Priority Mail parcels more efficiently in USPS-provided mail transport equipment. The other benefit

to USPS was the ability to automate processing of Priority Mail parcels. The co-branding of USPS packaging was included to enhance visual presentation to the end user.

Business growth resulting from new partnerships with AARP and AAA created the need for CC to expand its operation to include an additional warehouse location. Prior to making the final decision, the USPS Transportation and Networks Department was consulted regarding the new facility location. CC made it a priority to ensure that its facility was compatible with the needs of the USPS transportation network. The final result was that CC’s original shipping facility was converted to a Customer Service Center which included administrative offices. The new warehouse facility is totally devoted to customer fulfillment, inventory storage and shipping.

After multiple planning meetings with the Postal Service, CC decided that implementation of a manifest payment system and eVS (electronic verification system) would allow it to automate mailing operations and improve productivity. This was a win-win for CC and the Postal Service, as automation sped up the acceptance process, allowing CC to take advantage of Commercial Plus pricing. CC has collaborated with USPS in the implementation of its new facility. USPS has transitioned from being known as a vendor to becoming recognized by this customer as a trusted partner.

Consumer Cellular was nominated for the award by William P. Galligan, USPS senior vice president, Operations.

“We are pleased to recognize and honor Consumer Cellular for its innovation, creativity and leadership,” said Galligan. “Through its efforts, Consumer Cellular has produced winning business results and supported the mailing industry.”

Additionally, Andrew Goldberg, president and CEO, Publishers Clearing House (PCH), accepted the Postal Service’s 2009 Partnership for Progress Award. As one of the true pioneers in the mailing industry, PCH has developed many of the innovations direct mailers use daily, including mail personalization. PCH perfected the art of making targeted offers based on customers’ prior purchases, as well as using sweepstakes to draw customers’ attention to those offers.

The National Postal Forum is the mailing industry’s premier educational venue, trade show and networking event for industry professionals. Since 1967, it has provided business mailers with ongoing training and education, and helped them keep pace with the mailing industry’s rapid growth.

For more information on the 2009 National Postal Forum, visit www.npf.org.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.

John Marick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR, Consumer Cellular (CC) was launched in 1995 and has grown into one of the country’s top purchasers/resellers of cellular service. CC provides nationwide service as an alternative wireless service provider. It offers special cell phone programs with no yearly contract, focusing on senior citizens, credit unions, and numerous associations. CC also has a wholesale division that sells service to other telecommunication companies and their customers. By purchasing cellular services from the nation’s largest providers, including AT&T and Verizon at a substantial discount, CC passes along these savings to associations, businesses, and consumers. CC recently partnered with AARP, obtaining the title, “AARP Preferred Cellular Provider.” It also has partnered with numerous American Auto Association (AAA) clubs across the nation.

In fall 2006, CC was in the process of designing a custom plastic tray that could fit perfectly into a Priority Mail Tyvek envelope. The Postal Service worked with CC to create a standardized shape enabling CC to stack Priority Mail parcels more efficiently in USPS-provided mail transport equipment. The other benefit to USPS was the ability to automate processing of Priority Mail parcels. The cobranding of USPS packaging was included to enhance visual presentation to the end user.

Business growth resulting from new partnerships with AARP and AAA created the need for CC to expand its operation to include an additional warehouse location. Prior to making the final decision, the USPS Transportation and Networks Department was consulted regarding the new facility location. CC made it a priority to ensure that its facility was compatible with the needs of the USPS transportation network. The final result was that CC’s original shipping facility was converted to a Customer Service Center which included administrative offices. The new warehouse facility is totally devoted to customer fulfi llment, inventory storage and shipping.

After multiple planning meetings with the Postal Service, CC decided that implementation of a manifest payment system and eVS (electronic verifi cation system) would allow it to automate mailing operations and improve productivity. This was a win-win for CC and the Postal Service, as automation sped up the acceptance process, allowing CC to take advantage of Commercial Plus pricing. CC has collaborated with USPS in the implementation of its new facility. USPS has transitioned from being known as a vendor to becoming recognized by this customer as a trusted partner.