Continuity Club Celebrates “Black American Lives”
Just in time for Black History Month, The Black Heritage Commemorative Society mailed a new package for its Black American Lives Collection continuity club. The front of the package features a black and white photo of President Barack Obama and a teaser for a free biography panel premium on order. Additional copy asks “Where should you look for African American heroes?” followed by the answer “Right Inside.” Previous promotions for this continuity have been very similar but instead offered a Rosa Parks biography panel as the premium on order. The contents of the package are mostly the same as prior efforts except for added references to Obama in the letter and on the reply card. A glossy fold-out insert explains the details of the program, which consists of 250 biography panels containing the photo and history of Black Americans, including Booker T. Washington, Thurgood Marshall, and Billie Holiday. The trial offer is ten panels for $2.50 each plus $4.50 shipping. Future shipments of ten panels ($2.50 each plus $4.50 shipping) will arrive each month unless the subscription is canceled. A premium on payment of three collector's albums ($8.95 shipping) will arrive after the first paid order.
Born Free USA Mails Petition Piece
Born Free USA, a nonprofit organization with a focus on animal advocacy, mailed a petition piece urging recipients to help them “Free Circus Animals From Cruelty & Abuse.” The organization was started in England in 1984 and came to America in 2002 when it joined forces with fellow nonprofit the Animal Protection Institute. The package creates a sense of urgency with its request for a timely response to the enclosed petition to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The back flap of the envelope reads “Open Carefully” alerting recipients to the Born Free USA decal enclosed. Inside, a four-page letter is printed with a background image of file folders marked “Court Docs.” It uses black and white photos of circus elephants marked “Exhibit A,” “Exhibit B,” etc., to emphasize and detail the harsh treatment of endangered Asian elephants. The letter explains that Born Free USA is taking the battle to Washington, DC this year “in a landmark federal trial” against Ringling Bros. for violating the Endangered Species Act by keeping the animals confined to boxcars for extended periods of time and using a coercion device called a bullhook to make the elephants perform. The “Boycott Petition” is addressed to the CEO of Ringling Bros.’ parent Feld Entertainment; it states that the signer has joined Born Free USA and will boycott the circus as well as encourage friends and family to do the same. The attached reply form presents the $15/$25/$50/$100/other ask ladder. It also solicits email addresses for the Action Alert Team which is described as a nationwide network of activists who participate in the movement locally.
Boston Proper Gets Sporty
Boston Proper recently mailed the Sport edition of its catalog featuring athletic apparel as well as swimwear and casual clothing. The book offers an assortment of clothing for swim, yoga, dance, tennis, golf, fitness, and leisure. The cover features a dancing model wearing the Shirred Dance Cami ($39) with the Fleur-De-Lis Bermuda Shorts ($55). Copy on the bottom refers recipients to order online at BostonProper.com. Inside, products are organized by headlines such as “Find Your Rhythm” for moisture-wicking separates, “Make Waves” for body-shaping swimwear, and “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans.” Products include the Embellished Zen Tunic ($89), the Preppy Tab-Waist Shorts ($49), and the Rio Sandal ($119). While Boston Proper offers mostly its own signature brands, footwear from Fila, Cole Haan, and Dr. Scholl’s is also offered. Orders can be placed by phone, fax, mail, or online.
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