Godiva
Godiva Chocolatier elegantly presents one of the most popular gifts of love on its Valentine's Day catalog cover, a red velvet heart-shaped box, filled with chocolates. The tradition continues inside the catalog, and variations of the box are presented, ranging in price from $12.50 to $42. Also found inside the book is the confectioner's current sweepstakes offer. This year's grand prize is a
Platinum 4.56 carat diamond ring from Harry Winston, valued at $85,600. This is a little less extravagant than Godiva’s Valentine's Day prize last year (a 7.5 carat diamond ring valued at
$125,000), but who's quibbling? It's worth noting that these prizes are designed to be awarded to the gift recipients, rather than the purchaser. Gift boxes have small cards stuck inside alerting
recipients of their winning status. In addition to the grand prize, 50 additional platinum and diamond heart pendants are being given away, valued at $5,000 each.
Citizens for a Sound Economy
Citizens for a Sound Economy, a lobbying group that advocates for small government and simpler taxation, has gone into stealth mode with a new fundraising package that keeps all political issues
off the outer envelope. Even the organization’s name is absent from the return address, leaving only the generic “Registered Documents For: (Name)” and “Deadline for Return.” What recipients find inside is a survey on hot-button topics like tax relief and dependence on foreign energy, along with an ask ladder of $25/$50/$100/$250/$500/other. While surveys are nothing new for this mailer, past teaser copy has been more forthcoming, like “Your Views on Social Security Requested by Senator Mitch McConnell” or “Tax Survey Enclosed.” Past packages have also relied upon endorsements from conservative politicians like Don Nickles and Dick Armey,
but these are notably absent from the current package. What takes their place is the unabashed patriotism of a large American flag. As “tax relief” is issue #1 on the “2002 American Agenda Survey,” the Citizens for a Sound Economy’s late-January timing is certainly appropriate, as many prospects have just received their W-2s and filing forms in the mail.
The NephCure Foundation
A new solicitation has been tracked from The NephCure Foundation, an organization that fights kidney disease among children and young adults. The charity presents a simple, yet informative #10 promotion that contains only a personalized letter and reply envelope. The NephCure Foundation uses this letter to appeal to recipients by way of touching stories, alarming statistics and its position as "the only national non-profit health agency devoting 100% of its efforts and resources to glomerular diseases." The foundation’s website is also provided for those seeking more information. For those donors wishing to physically display their support of The NephCure
Foundation, an emblem described as being in the same vein as “the pink ribbons for breast cancer, and red for AIDS" is offered. The enamel candle lapel pin premium is available for those donating
$50 or more from the $25/$35/$50/$100/other donation ask ladder.
The direct mail pieces appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and analyzed by Paradysz Matera, New York, through its online competitive direct mail and e-mail tracking tool MarketRelevance
located at http://www.MarketRelevance.com/newsletter.cfm.
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