OfficeScapesDirect Beautifies the Workplace
OfficeScapesDirect offers low-maintenance, artificial flower arrangements, plants and trees to liven up the workplace. 
The front cover of the 40-page book has the tagline “Bringing Your Environment to Life” and features a white Hydrangea Bouquet ($169) in a clear vase. Copy in a band across the bottom reads “Designer Quality Silk Flowers, Plants and Trees.” Inside, a letter from the founder touts real-looking alternatives to live floral displays and greenery. Benefits such as “no brown tips, no wilting, no ongoing maintenance to distract from business” are offered as reasons to buy. The same page also informs the recipient that “warm color trends” are moving from the home into the office for an extra splash of color. Several pages within the catalog invite the recipient to “Customize your plants” by selecting complementary containers. A page opposite the order form contains a "Frequently Asked Questions" section that covers the materials used to make the products as well as care and maintenance tips (e.g. “Feather dust periodically”). Merchandise includes an 8’ Executive Japanese Maple ($349), Pansy Centerpiece ($99), and 5’ English Ivy Topiary ($199). In addition to plants, the catalog offers planters and wall art. Orders may be placed by mail, phone, fax, or online.
Handicap International Petitions for Cluster Bomb Ban
Noble Peace Prize-winning organization Handicap International recently hit the mail with an appeal using a miniature crutch to highlight the nonprofit’s work helping disabled persons worldwide as well as its campaign to ban the use of landmines and cluster bombs. 
The front of the white #10 package features the curious teaser, “The little crutch inside is not a toy” alongside a picture of the miniature item. The 21⁄4” crutch is taped to the appeal letter, which explains that it is a “replica of the simple bamboo crutches we give to landmine victims so they can take their first steps back to a full life.” The letter tells the story of an eight-year-old Cambodian girl whose leg was amputated after she stepped on a half-buried landmine. Sepia-toned and back-and-white pictures of the girl and other amputees illustrate the two-page letter, and sentences throughout the text are underlined in red for emphasis. The letter describes Handicap International’s “mine action” programs in 13 countries, and recipients are asked to support its efforts to “open the world to everyone caught in disabling situations, and to make our world safer.” A tri-folded insert details Handicap International’s latest campaign to prohibit the use of cluster bombs, and includes a petition form for recipients to attach their names to “the growing list of international signatories” in favor of a ban. An additional insert provides a general overview of the organization’s history and mission. The ask ladder is set at $25/$35/$50/$100/other, with $35 underlined above a note in a hand written script stating that $35 is enough “to fit a prosthesis to a child who needs it.” Other donation amounts and their potential uses, such as “$60 equips a landmine technician with the tools needed to detect and neutralize landmines,” are listed below the detachable reply form.
Entertainment Earth Offers Exclusive Collectibles
The Entertainment Earth Summer 2007 catalog offers a variety of popular action figures and cult favorites for the collectibles enthusiast. 
The cover of the 60-page book features several items found inside, along with their respective item and page numbers. It also promotes a limited edition mouse pad premium on payment with any order and directs recipients to the order form for more information. Inside, a “Theme Index” table of contents makes finding items easy. The pages are filled with television collectibles like the original “Star Trek” series and “Next Generation” character figurines ($14.99 - $124.99) and toy favorites such as the Easy Bake Classic Oven ($34.99). Music, sports, film and Japanese anime collectibles are also available. The Kurt Cobain Unplugged 7-inch Action Figure ($16.99) based on a 1993 appearance on MTV “Unplugged” includes an acoustic guitar, chair, microphone, and music stand. Film favorites include a 12-inch talking Frank the Bunny from “Donnie Darko” ($32.99). The Entertainment Earth order form details an all-new Hasbro “Star Wars” action figure exclusive. The never before released set ($66.99) includes 14 action figures, 19 blasters, eight back packs, and six removable helmets. Only one figure, Llats Ward, is named on the form. The other 13 will be revealed at the Entertainment Earth booth at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, an annual comic book convention. Purchases can be made online, by phone, or by mail.
The direct mail promotions appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and analyzed by ParadyszMatera, a media brokerage services company, through its MarketRelevance(tm) Promotion Library. Click here to visit their site: ParadyszMatera.com.
