Acacia Helps Shape Up 2010
In the spirit of 2010 New Year's resolutions, gift retailer Acacia offered a new free workout DVD incentive in its Happy New Year 2010 catalog. The video, "Fit in 5: Ultimate Body Blitz," is given with $50+ orders and features a five day fitness plan, including strength, yoga, Pilates, dance, and cardio workouts. Other workout DVDs designed to keep determined exercisers on track are also featured throughout the catalog, with added savings rewarded if a complete set is purchased (e.g. the Shiva Rea Creative Core DVDs sell for $9.99 each, or $24.99 for all 3). Many products within the book are exclusive to Acacia, including a Wood Table with Stainless Channel Tray ($249), Organic Cotton Enso Activewear ($39.95 - $64.95), Flower Garden Silk Pillows ($34.95 - $59.95), and a Take Flight Garden Sculpture ($89.95). Several pages in the middle of the catalog are dedicated to a New Year's sale, offering savings up to 60%. Items range from Bahamas Pajamas ($49.97) to Five Good Minute Books ($8.97 each, $16.97 for both). Orders can be made by mail, phone, or online, where customers can also view video clips of instructional workouts.
The Gorilla Foundation Adds Koko's Kitten
Established in 1976, The Gorilla Foundation is probably best known for its work teaching gorillas American Sign Language. Koko, one of these communicating animals, is the subject of an award winning story of two mammal friends, Koko's Kitten, which has been added as a new freemium in a recent fundraising appeal. With its motto "Conservation through Communication," the group sees interspecies communication as key to sustaining the endangered great apes. The letter addresses the group's mission, the challenges apes face through hunting, and examples of how a donation along the $15/$25/$50/$100/other ask ladder will benefit gorillas (e.g. a $50 gift will supply a case of Koko's Kitten books for a class in Africa, "and help turn poachers into protectors.") The letter is signed by the organization's president Penny Patterson and Koko "Fine Animal Gorilla." In addition to the book, the longstanding freemium poster of Koko and Smokey is included.
Bon Appetit Updates Package with Magnet Freemium
Conde Nast title Bon Appetit mailed an updated voucher package containing a new useful freemium for cooks – a refrigerator magnet equating liquid and dry measurements. Consistent with many of its prior direct mail packages, Bon Appetit also still includes several recipe card freemiums (Strawberry Tiramisu, Carrot Soup with Orange and Tarragon, Sauteed Chicken with Tomato-Saffron Vinaigrette on Frisee, and Cheesy Zucchini and Red Onion Flatbread.) The title is sold via the longstanding hard offer of $10 for 12 issues (plus $3 shipping and handling), and subscribers still receive the Tastes of the World Cookbook as a premium upon payment.
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