PUBLICITY KIT
On August 22, 2002, the United States Mint and the
United States Postal Service signed an agreement to jointly
develop and market a number of products that feature two
of America's most popular collectible items - the 50 State
Quarters® and the Greetings from America stamps.
This is the first time these two federal agencies have
partnered to work on a joint, national project.
The Postal Service and the United States Mint will offer
products each year (1999-2008) in two formats: the 50
State Quarters Greetings from America Portfolio and 50
State Quarters Greetings from America State Card Sets.
The portfolio features five state quarters and five corresponding state stamps displayed in windows arranged in a
portfolio. A protective slipcase includes certificates of authenticity signed by the postmaster general of the United
States and the director of the United States Mint.
Each state card - which is about the size of a sports
trading card - features one state quarter and the corresponding state stamp displayed in protective windows. The
cards are offered in sets of five for each year of the 50 State
Quarters Program.
The following products incorporating the state quarters
released in 2002 and the corresponding Greetings from
America stamps are now available:
• 2002 50 State Quarters Greetings from America
Annual Portfolios @ $29.99 per year
• 2002 50 State Quarters Greetings from America
Annual State Card Sets @ $27.99 per year
Customers can purchase these items through a subscription program by calling 800-STAMP-24 or faxing the
subscription form (on pages 2-3) to
816-545-1212. Customers may also mail the subscription
form to:
50 STATE QUARTERS GREETINGS FROM AMERICA
STAMP FULFILLMENT SERVICES
POST OFFICE BOX 7247
PHILADELPHIA PA 19101-9014
The subscription form is provided in this issue of the
Postal Bulletin and can also be found online at
http://blue.usps.gov/corporate/licensing. Only through the
subscription program will the entire series be guaranteed,
and only while supplies last.
Customers can purchase annual products individually
beginning January 13, 2003, by logging on to
www.usps.com/shop. The 2002 products feature the state
issuances of Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and
Mississippi.
Also available for purchase are the Portfolio and State
Card Albums. These beautiful albums display the products
in a three-ring binder made of archival-safe materials. Included in the albums are color-coded maps with state quarter release dates, histories of the United States Mint and
the Postal Service, and a timeline of our nation. The albums
sell for $29.95 each.
Starting in calendar year 2003, customers of the Postal
Service 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Subscription Program will begin receiving portfolios or state
card collections featuring the five state quarters released in
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, along with the corresponding state stamps.
The initial orders will be accepted on January 10, 2003,
at an event planned at the Mall of America in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. The first shipments of these products will be for
the year 2002. Completed products for 1999, 2000, 2001,
and 2003 will be shipped to the Stamp Fulfillment Services
(SFS) office for shipment to subscription customers during
mid-2003. Each product will be shipped individually to minimize impact on subscribers' credit cards. The Postal Service will begin fulfilling orders for 1999 products in April
2003, 2000 products in May 2003, and 2001 products in
June 2003. These dates and years may change depending on the manufacturing schedules.
The subscription program is by credit card only (auto-
charge). The order form is worded to reflect this. Please
note that customers who join the subscription program will
be signing up for all years of the program, not just year
2002 and beyond.
For additional information on the United States Mint
50 State Quarters Greetings from America Program,
please go to the USPS Licensing Web site at
http://blue.usps.gov/corporate/licensing.
Revenue generated from the sale of the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America products and subscription programs will be reallocated back to the appropriate field
office. Subscription forms can be printed and displayed in
your offices to promote the products. Because of limited
quantities, the products will not be distributed to field offices
at this time.
January 10, 2003
The following 2002 state products will be available as annual subscriptions on January 10, 2003, from the Kansas City
SFS:
2002 Products: Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana,
Mississippi
March 2003
The following state products will be available mid-2003
from the Kansas City SFS:
1999 Products: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey
2000 Products: Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Virginia
2001 Products: Kentucky, New York, North Carolina,
Rhode Island, Vermont
The following state products will be available 2003 and
beyond:
2003 Products: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Maine,
Missouri
2004 Products: Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Texas,
Wisconsin
2005 Products: California, Kansas, Minnesota,
Oregon, West Virginia
2006 Products: Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, North
Dakota, South Dakota
2007 Products: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming
2008 Products: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico,
Oklahoma
On January 10, 2003, the United States
Mint and the United States Postal Service will hold a dedication ceremony to
launch the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Program. The event will
be held at the Mall of America rotunda in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Guests at this event will include:
Chief Marketing Officer (USPS) Anita Bizzoto
United States Mint Director Henrietta Fore
Miss America 2003 Erika Harold
A kiosk will be located in the Mall of America rotunda to
sell the United States Mint/Postal Service products and
cachets on event day. Dignitaries in attendance will have a
90-minute autograph session following the unveiling
ceremony.
This exciting new program will provide many opportunities to hold state events and increase revenue sales. State
events can be held whenever a product is available in your
state. Each year, the five state quarters and five corresponding state stamp annual products will be available for
the public to purchase. Local publicity will be important to
help promote this program and generate revenue.
Copy the theme of the January 10, 2003, Launch Event
for your state events.
• Look for opportunities to sponsor events with state
banks or coin or stamp clubs.
• Check availability of local malls, which are ideal locations for holding these events.
• Invite local celebrities as event hosts.
• Invite your state beauty pageant contestant or
winner.
Once the location has been determined, you can start
planning your event. This is a community event and should
include Postal Service employees and their families and
friends, as well as members of the community, local civic
leaders, elected officials, congressional representatives,
and Postal Service customers.
When planning events to promote this program, keep
the following suggestions in mind:
• Begin planning immediately.
• Contact the Licensing Office via e-mail for product
availability (licensing@usps.com).
• Set a date.
• Secure participants (i.e., local officials and business
people, state and local beauty pageant winners,
etc.).
• Order blow-ups of stamps, posters from the United
States Mint, and plenty of brochures and other
supplies.
• Prepare a special pictorial cancellation, if applicable.
• Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.
• Plan signs, including a podium sign and banners.
• Launch a local publicity campaign using the materials
in this kit.
• Draft a sequence-of-events agenda and speaker remarks.
• Plan retail opportunities (i.e., booths, bag stuffers,
etc.).
• Prepare ceremony programs and invitations.
If you have questions or need assistance with any of
these items, please contact your Area's Public Affairs and
Communications (PA&C) Center representative (list included in kit).
|
Action
|
Suggested Timing
|
|
1. Send invitations to
state/area dignitaries.
|
A few weeks before event
|
|
2. Send
announcement/invitation to
employees.
|
A few weeks before event
|
|
3. Distribute
calendar/weekend advisory
to newspapers.
|
A few weeks before event
|
|
4. Distribute news release.
|
A few weeks before event
|
|
5. Distribute media advisory
to newspapers, radio/TV.
|
One week before event
|
|
6. Redistribute media
advisory to media.
|
One to two days before event
|
|
7. Remind invited guests
about event via telephone.
|
Five days before event
|
|
8. Make follow-up calls to
local news media
|
Day before event
|
|
9. Distribute "day of issuance"
news release.
|
Day of event
|
|
10. Send newspaper clippings
and media successes
summary to Area PA&C
office.
|
Week or sooner after event
|
Your Public Affairs and Communications representatives are eager to get started and will work closely with you
to help ensure a successful and fun ceremony for the community and your employees.
EARL C ARTIS JR
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHEAST AREA
225 NORTH HUMPHREY BLVD
MEMPHIS TN 38166-0832
Telephone: 901-747-7544
CESTA AYERS JR
ACTING MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHWEST AREA
7800 N STEMMONS FREEWAY STE 450
DALLAS TX 75247-4220
Telephone: 214-819-8717
SCOTT BUDNY
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WESTERN AREA
1745 STOUT ST STE 400
DENVER CO 80299-7500
Telephone: 303-313-5125
DAN DE MIGLIO
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA
390 MAIN STREET STE 200
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-8000
Telephone: 415-536-6490
DEBRA HAWKINS
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHEAST AREA
6 GRIFFIN RD N
WINDSOR CT 06006-9876
Telephone: 860-285-7265
DAVID MAZER
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 364A
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9641
Telephone: 323-586-1210
JIM MRUK
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
GREAT LAKES AREA
244 KNOLLWOOD DRIVE 4TH FL
BLOOMINGDALE IL 60117-2208
Telephone: 630-539-6565
ROBERT NOVAK
CAPITOL METRO OPERATIONS
BALTIMORE AND RICHMOND DISTRICTS
10320 LITTLE PATUXTENT PARKWAY STE 308
COLUMBIA MD 21044-5210
Telephone: 410-715-0073
PAUL F SMITH
ACTING MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
EASTERN AREA
615 CHESTNUT ST 15TH FL
PO BOX 40593
PHILADELPHIA PA 19106-4404
Telephone: 215-931-5054
DIANE TODD
MANAGER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NY METRO AREA
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 5114
NEW YORK NY 10199-9681
Telephone: 212-330-3167
DEBORAH YACKLEY
CAPITOL METRO OPERATIONS
CAPITOL AND NORTHERN VA DISTRICTS
Telephone: 301-548-1465
Introducing the 50 State Quarters Greetings from
America Series, a line of products featuring the 50 State
Quarters from the United States Mint and the Greetings
from America stamps from the United States Postal
Service.
The United States Mint and the Postal Service, in a historic partnership, are bringing together two of the most popular collectibles in the world: coins and stamps.
This beautiful album displays the 50 State Quarters and
the corresponding Greetings from America Portfolio Subscription Program. The three-ring, 10-page binder is made
of archival-safe materials. Each page holds one portfolio
and includes information on the five state quarters released
in a specific year and corresponding state stamp, a color-
coded map with state quarter release dates, histories of the
United States Mint and the Postal Service, and a timeline of
our nation. The portfolio album sells for $29.95.
This beautiful album displays the 50 State Quarters and
the corresponding Greetings from America State Card
Annual Subscription Program. The three-ring binder is
made of archival-safe materials and includes 13 pages.
Each page holds four collector cards that feature the five
state quarters released in a specific year, a color-coded
map with state quarter release dates, histories of the United
States Mint and the Postal Service, and a timeline of our
nation. The state card album sells for $29.95.
The 50 State Quarters and Greetings from America
stamps (3 1/2" x 2 1/2") will be sold as a state card subscription series or as an annual product. The quarters are
encased in rotatable blisters so both sides of the coin are
visible. The stamps are encased in single-side blisters with
the state information that is printed on the back of the
stamps, copied on the back of the card. The subscription
program consists of five state cards per year. State card
sets will be available for 1999 through 2008 at $27.99 per
year. The entire series can be guaranteed only through the
subscription program, and only while supplies last.
Each annual portfolio features five state quarters and
five corresponding state stamps displayed in protective
windows. A slipcase includes Certificates of Authenticity
signed by the postmaster general of the United States and
the director of the United States Mint. The portfolios will be
available for 1999 through 2008 at $29.99 per year. The entire series can be guaranteed only through the subscription
program, and only while supplies last.
Here is the list of Retail contacts in your area if you need
information on licensed products for local events.
|
Area
|
State
|
Contact
|
Telephone
|
|
Southeast
|
Tennessee
and
Louisiana
|
Deborah Patrick
|
901-747-7595
|
|
Eastern
|
Ohio
|
Jim Stock
|
412-494-2518
|
|
Southwest
|
Louisiana
|
Rosana Balusek
Mike Teague
|
214-819-8864
214-819-8758
|
|
Great Lakes
|
Indiana
|
Joy Simmons
|
317-870-8240
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE INVITES PUBLIC TO SPECIAL CEREMONY
TO INTRODUCE [NAME OF YOUR STATE]'S
UNITED STATES MINT AND POSTAL SERVICE COLLECTIBLE
EVENT: Availability of [NAME OF YOUR STATE]'s Postal Service and United States
Mint 50 State Quarters Greetings From America Program [NAME PRODUCTS
BEING ISSUED].
WHO: [LIST ONLY DIGNITARIES, KEY POSTAL SERVICE OFFICIALS AND ANY
WELL-KNOWN SPECIAL GUESTS PARTICIPATING AND/OR ATTENDING
EVENT].
WHAT: [DESCRIBE WHAT MAKES EVENT NEWSWORTHY - LIST THE SPECIFIC
PRODUCTS BEING ISSUED/SOLD FROM THIS PROGRAM, ANY ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS OR OTHER SALES].
WHEN: [INSERT HOUR, DAY AND DATE]
WHERE: [INSERT EXACT LOCATION OF EVENT]
BACKGROUND: The Postal Service invites the community to a special ceremony to announce an
exciting combination of two enormously popular collectibles (coins and stamps)
in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Greetings From America Program.
The Postal Service and the United States Mint will offer products every year in
two formats: the 50 State Quarters Greetings From America Portfolio and 50
State Quarters Greetings From America State Card Sets.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE-UNITED STATES MINT PARTNERSHIP BRINGS
TOGETHER PUBLIC'S FAVORITE COLLECTIBLES
[INSERT YOUR CITY] - In an exciting combination of two enormously popular collectibles, the
Postal Service today announced that the [YOUR STATE] philatelic and United States Mint product
from the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Program will be available following a ceremony
held at [LOCATION ADDRESS].
[INSERT QUOTE FROM POSTMASTER OR OTHER OFFICIAL].
During the program, the Postal Service and the United States Mint will offer products every year in
two formats: the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Portfolio and 50 State Quarters Greetings from America State Card Sets.
50 State Quarters Greetings from America Annual Portfolio
Each Portfolio features five state quarters and five corresponding state stamps displayed in protective windows. A slipcase includes Certificates of Authenticity signed by the postmaster general of
the United States and the director of the United States Mint, attesting to the authenticity of the
stamps and quarters.
50 State Quarters Greetings from America State Card Sets
Each state card - about the size of a sports trading card - features one state quarter and the
corresponding state stamp displayed in protective windows. The cards are offered each year of the
50 State Quarters Program.
Products Now Available
The 2002 Portfolio ($29.99) and 2002 State Card Set ($27.99) for Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana,
Indiana and Mississippi are now available by calling toll-free 800-STAMP-24 or logging on to
www.usps.com/shop. In addition, handsome collector albums for the portfolios and state cards are
available for $29.95 each.
Releases for 2003
Later this year customers can purchase portfolios featuring the series of five state quarters released in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003, along with the corresponding state stamps.
Subscription Program
Customers interested in obtaining a complete collection are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase the entire series (including the increasingly rare 1999 and 2000 state quarters) only through
the 50 State Quarters Greetings from America Subscription Program while supplies last. Subscriptions can be ordered through the toll-free telephone numbers listed above.
Greetings from America Stamps
The initial printing of 200 million 34-cent Greetings from America stamps was virtually a sell-out.
However, the stamps are now available at the new 37-cent First-Class Mail® rate at Post Offices and
by ordering through the Postal Service's Web site and the toll-free telephone number.
The Greetings from America stamps were illustrated by Lonnie Busch of Franklin, N.C. Busch's
art was inspired by the retro "large letter" postcards that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Bearing the legend "Greetings from," these retro postcards featured depictions of local scenes inside big
letters that spelled out the name of the place or attraction.
Since 1775, the Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by
mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 137 million s and businesses every day
and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives
no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of
postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of postal services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The
Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume - some 207 billion letters,
advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves 7 million customers each day at its
40,000 retail locations nationwide.
# # #
Government Relations Contacts
We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you.
| State
|
Name
|
Telephone
Extension |
| Alabama |
Laurie Solnik |
x 3743 |
| Alaska |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| American Samoa
|
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Arizona |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
| Arkansas |
Faith Beamon |
x 3754 |
| California |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Colorado |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
| Connecticut |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| Delaware |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| District of Columbia
|
Rebecca Sumner
|
x 3755 |
| Florida |
Laurie Solnik |
x 3743 |
| Georgia |
Jim Quirk |
x 8468 |
| Guam |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Hawaii |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Idaho |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Illinois |
Jennifer Alvarez
|
x7839 |
| Indiana |
Rebecca Sumner
|
x 3755 |
| Iowa |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Kansas |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
| Kentucky |
Pat Irons |
x 3744 |
| Louisiana |
Faith Beamon |
x 3745 |
| Maine |
Katherine Sitterle
|
x 6027 |
| Maryland |
Rebecca Sumner
|
x 3755 |
| Massachusetts |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| Michigan |
Jennifer Alvarez
|
x 3750 |
| Minnesota |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Mississippi |
Laurie Solnik |
x 3743 |
| Missouri |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Montana |
Bill Weagley |
x 7845 |
| Nebraska |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Nevada |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| New Hampshire |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| New Jersey |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| New Mexico |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
| New York |
Katherine Sitterle
|
x 6027 |
| North Carolina
|
Jim Quirk |
x 8468 |
| North Dakota |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Ohio |
Pat Irons |
x 3744 |
| Oklahoma |
Faith Beamon |
x 3754 |
| Oregon |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| Pennsylvania |
Rebecca Sumner
|
x 3755 |
| Puerto Rico |
Katherine Sitterle
|
x 6027 |
| Rhode Island |
Jo Waterman |
x 6748 |
| South Carolina
|
Jim Quirk |
x 8468 |
| South Dakota |
Linda Macasa |
x 7505 |
| Tennessee |
Jim Quirk |
x 8468 |
| Texas |
Faith Beamon |
x 3754 |
| Utah |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
| Vermont |
Katherine Sitterle
|
x 6027 |
| Virgin Islands
|
Katherine Sitterle
|
x 6027 |
| Virginia |
Pat Irons |
x 3744 |
| Washington |
Bill Weagley |
x 3745 |
| West Virginia |
Pat Irons |
x 3744 |
| Wisconsin |
Jennifer Alvarez
|
x 7839 |
| Wyoming |
Renee Gadson |
x 7217 |
Note: Area code and prefix for all extensions is
202-268-XXXX.
- Community Relations,
Public Affairs and Communications, 1-9-03
|
