The USPS® 2013 Promotions Calendar builds on previous promotions to support our strategy to encourage mailers to use mail as a key component of their marketing and branding strategies. Upcoming 2013 summer promotions are Emerging Technologies, Picture Permit, and the Samples Promotion. These promotions encourage mailers to integrate direct mail with mobile technology, use our new picture permits to support branding strategies, and deliver samples to consumers through the mail. All three promotions run August 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013.
Take advantage of one or all of the following promotions to create a comprehensive marketing strategy that gets results.
The Emerging Technologies Promotion provides business mailers with an upfront two percent postage discount on Standard Mail®, Nonprofit Standard Mail®, and First-Class Mail® letters, flats, and cards (presort and automation) that incorporate Augmented Reality, Authentication, or Near Field Communication in mailpieces.
n Augmented Reality: Augmented Reality is a live, direct, or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data, etc.
n Authentication: Authentication describes the verification process of a unique customer/consumer using one or a combination of authentication factors. The authentication process must utilize information unique to the individual user, and must either authenticate the individual’s identity or provide access to personalized content.
n Near Field Communication: Near Field Communication creates a two way communication link between two devices with RFID capabilities. The mobile device and RFID embedded object must create a platform to deliver content-rich messaging.
Registration Period: June 15, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
Promotion Period: August 1, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
Picture Permit Imprint Indicia (referred to as “Picture Permit”) provides an opportunity for commercial mailers to customize the permit imprint indicia on their First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letters and postcards with a corporate logo, brand image, or trademark. The Picture Permit fee is waived during the promotion period for pre-approved mailers. Picture Permit may be used to raise brand awareness and market a company’s products and services.
The unique nature of Picture Permit helps:
n Boost the mailpiece’s visual impact.
n Potentially increase the open rate.
n Provide immediate recognition of a business’s corporate logos, brand images, or trademarks for product promotion.
n Corroborate the message of direct mailpieces and other advertisements.
Registration Period: June 1, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
Promotion Period: August 1, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
The Simple Samples program invigorates product sampling via the mail by simplifying the preparation process and reducing prices for Marketing Parcels to meet market needs. In addition, mailers are allowed to prepare their letters and flats which contain product samples in automated format, so they can take advantage of automation discounts. The 2013 Samples Promotion reinvigorates product sampling via the mail by providing mailers with an upfront postage discount on qualifying Standard Mail Marketing Parcels that contain product samples during the promotion period.
n The promotion will encourage mailers to send product samples to consumers through the mail.
Registration Period: May 1, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
Promotion Period: August 1, 2013 –
September 30, 2013.
Promotions currently in progress are the Direct Mail Mobile Coupon and Click To Call promotion and the Earned Value promotion. Information about these promotions and upcoming 2013 summer promotions can be found in the Program Requirements documents on RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mobilebarcode.
Additional supporting documents for all the 2013 Mailing Promotions are also available on RIBBS.
— Direct Mail & Periodicals,
New Products and Innovation, 3-21-13
