2016 USPS Postal Mailing Incentives Contain Two Catalog-Friendly Ones
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The U.S. Postal Service on November 16th filed for Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approval of five mailing promotional discounts to be offered in 2016, the first of which to begin on March 1, 2016. With only slight changes, the proposed promotions are largely the same as those offered for 2015.
The USPS says the promotions are designed to encourage mailers and their printers to use new technology and tools "to leverage and build upon the implicit value of a physical mailpiece [to] drive response rates and the overall return on the mailer’s investment in mail."
Promotions Proposed (effective dates)
Emerging and Advanced Technology/Video in Print Promotion (March 1 - August 31, 2016)
Tactile, Sensory and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion (March 1 - August 31)
Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion (April 1 - June 30)
Mobile Shopping Promotion (July 1 - December 31)
Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion (July 1 - December 31)
Two Promos For Standard Mail
Among the five to be offered, the first four are applicable to Standard Mail, including catalogs; the first and third are also applicable to First-Class mail; and the fifth is only applicable to First-Class. Two percent up-front discounts are to be offered for all except the third one, which will offer a 2- or 3-cent rebate. Registration periods begin 45 days prior to each promotion's start date and end on the closing date (eg: January 15 - August 31 for the first two promos).
The PRC has up to 45 days to rule on the proposed promotions. Click here to view the filing.
