Gorsuch Bundles Up for Winter Although the winter season is a few months away, Gorsuch Ltd. is eagerly anticipating its first chill. The retailer of high-end ski and resort wear recently mailed the Winter 2004 edition, offering everything needed to hit the slopes in high style (or relax by a roaring fire in the lodge). The catalog's exclusive appeal is underlined by the list of its retail locations
Gorsuch Bundles Up for Winter
Although the winter season is a few months away, Gorsuch Ltd. is eagerly anticipating its first chill. The retailer of high-end ski and resort wear recently 
mailed the Winter 2004 edition, offering everything needed to hit the slopes in high style (or relax by a roaring fire in the lodge). The catalog's exclusive appeal is underlined by the list of its retail locations in the hottest Colorado ski resort towns of Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Aspen, which are noted on the cover. While a summer mail date may seem a bit premature to some, August has been the launch month for the company's brief four month mailing season for many years now, and with 108 pages of clothing and merchandise, the latest Gorsuch catalog is the thickest effort to date. Clothing is offered for men, women and children, plus a few pages are devoted to gift and home decor merchandise. The offerings range from coats, sweaters and footwear to picture frames, crystal and other winter-inspired collectibles, priced at a premium. An Angelina coat, featured on the inside front cover, is priced at $2,998. Other items include a pair of lined ski pants ($358), a men's suede jacket ($998) and a pair of wool socks ($18). The non-apparel items are equally pricey. A handmade silver server has an asking price of $1,998 and an antler-designed planter is set at a cool $3,250. Orders can be placed through the mail, on the web and over the phone.
New Address Labels from Special Olympics
Free address labels can be a great way for fundraisers to attract new donations, but the style of labels that work best can vary widely. Sometimes the graphics just need to be visually appealing (birds, flowers, monograms), while 
others strive for a stronger affinity with the organization's mission. Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental retardation, uses its new labels to effectively convey its focus by picturing people served by the organization. Instead of static portraits, Special Olympics features images from the actual games - competitors running, swimming, biking and snowboarding. These colorful action shots effectively underscore the purpose and value of Special Olympics' mission with a winning simplicity. The same directness is carried over to the outer envelope, where a stark white #10 envelope serves only as a dramatic frame for a tiny yet vivid photo of a young girl in an ice skating competition. While this latest promotion is a departure for Special Olympics, which hasn't mailed an address label package for several years, the organization's donation ask ladder remains unchanged from recent non-label efforts: $8.15/$16.29/$32.58/other. Donations can be made through the mail or the Special Olympics Web site.
Curtains Up on Smith+Noble DVD
Measurements, mounts, diffusion levels, fabric choices and more. Window treatment specialists Smith+Noble Windoware have built an enviable empire in the home decor market by distilling the complex art of window dressing into a 
relatively easy-to-follow print catalog. Now with their most recent offering, they've managed to illuminate the process even further. For consumers still stymied by hems and valances, the Fall/Winter edition of the Smith+Noble catalog advertises a free DVD/CD-ROM called "Window Makeovers Made Easy." The instructional disc promises to "end the mystery of window makeovers" by providing step-by-step instructions on choosing the right product, as well as supplying measuring and installation tips. Best of all, consumers interested in this decorating tutorial can simply call the toll-free number and request it with no purchase required. Outside of this friendly enticement, the latest Smith+Noble catalog retains the mailers' trademark sophisticated layouts and photography, as well as its extensive array of upscale window treatments. Prices range from $29 for a small roller shade to $1,352 for a massive balloon shade. The cataloger also remains generous with purchase incentives, this time offering rising discounts based on total purchase amount ($50 off $250+ orders, $75 off $350+ and $100 off $400+). Orders can be placed by mail, phone, fax or through the Smith+Noble website (there is an additional $5 reduction offered on all online orders).
The direct mail pieces appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and analyzed by ParadyszMatera, New York, through its online competitive direct mail and e-mail tracking tool MarketRelevanceä. Web address: http://www.MarketRelevance.com/newsletter.cfm
