Mail Stream: December 14

Successories Mails A New Look
Successories recently mailed its bright orange 2010 master catalog, sporting a new logo and look. The 24-year-old company was acquired earlier this year by TWS Partnership, an investment firm that also runs direct marketers Awards.com and Dale and Thomas Popcorn. The new Successories logo and tagline, “Inspire Someone,” is the same as that used for Awards.com. The 196-page book features an assortment of inspirational tools, gifts, and awards to motivate employees. Cover products introduce three product categories: “Design Your Inspiration” (customized inspirational art), “Gourmet Inspirations” (a large diamond-shaped piece of chocolate) and “Inspirers” (photos or paintings of historic inspirational figures like Abraham Lincoln priced at $29.99 – $195). Other products include framed motivational posters, glass and crystal awards, and desktop clocks. The catalog also provides several ways to interact, offering links to its Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress accounts, as well as its “859am.com” email signup, which offers an inspirational quote at 8:59am daily. Orders can be placed by phone or online.

Soldiers’ Angels Offers Holiday Cheer
Soldiers’ Angels mailed a seasonal looking package promoting its Holidays for Heroes initiative, described by the nonprofit as its largest undertaking yet. Soldiers’ Angels, whose motto is “May No Soldier Go Unloved,” provides overseas American troops with care packages and other comfort items. The 6″ x 9″ package resembles a holiday card, with the recipient’s address printed in a handwriting-styled font. Inside, a letter explains the organization’s goal of sending 190,000 holiday gift packages to troops either serving internationally or those recovering in a military hospital away from home during the holidays. A greeting card involvement device in the package offers a note of thanks to those serving in the military. Donors are also encouraged to write a personal message to a soldier. The reply form is structured as a letter to Patti Patton Bader, the founder of the organization and the great niece of General George Patton. Each $16 donation pays for one holiday gift pack; the form specifies how many the donor will provide along the $16/$32/$48/$64/$100/$500/$1,000/other ask ladder. The higher donation amounts are prefaced with “I want to send more than 4 Packs and also help with other crucial Solders’ Angels programs.”

Craghoppers Goes Wild with Bear Grylls
British-based outerwear company Craghoppers unveiled its Bear Grylls line in a self-titled catalog offering 20% off first orders as well as free shipping. Bear Grylls made his name as an adventurer turned TV personality from the Discovery Channel’s hit series, Man vs. Wild. A note inside from Grylls introduces the collection, noting that “Wardrobe glitches may be a bit Hollywood, but in a sandstorm or blizzard, they’re more than a bit deadly.” He describes how in working with the designers at Craghoppers, he tested “every drawcord and zipper” in order to make the clothing “Bear-proof and ready for the crocodiles.” The Autumn Winter 09 catalog features an assortment of outdoors apparel and gear for men, women, and children. Products include the Survivor Jacket II ($475), the Expedition Long-Sleeved T-Shirt ($60), and the Odessa Gloves ($20). Orders can be placed by phone or online at BearGryllsStore.com.

The direct mail promotions appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and written up by ParadyszMatera, a media brokerage services company, through its MarketRelevance(tm) Promotion Library. Click here to visit their site: <a href=”http://www.paradyszmatera.com/direct.cfm”> ParadyszMatera.com.