Actor Jose Ferrer Has His Own Stamp

As part of its Distinguished Americans series, the Postal Service is issuing a First-Class Forever stamp commemorating the life and accomplishments of actor José Ferrer.

Ferrer won several Tony Awards for his work on stage. He also performed in more than 60 movies, garnering three Academy Award nominations. For his stage and film performances as Cyrano de Bergerac, Ferrer won both a Tony Award and an Oscar for Best Actor.

“The Postal Service is pleased and proud to bestow upon José Ferrer — a groundbreaking Latino performer and the first Puerto Rican actor to succeed in Hollywood — a new commemorative Forever stamp,” said Government Relations and Public Policy Vice President Marie Therese Dominguez. “Throughout an acting career that spanned more than half a century, Ferrer played a wide range of roles on both Broadway and on the silver screen.”

New Stamps Commemorate Civil War

The Postal Service has issued the second of an annual series of Forever stamps commemorating the Civil War.
The two stamps — The Civil War: 1862 — depict the Battle of New Orleans, the first significant achievement of the U.S. Navy in the war, and the Battle of Antietam.
The Navy’s victory in New Orleans placed the Confederacy’s most vital port in Union hands. “As a result, Southern trade, finance and shipbuilding were greatly disrupted,” he said. “Five months later came the bloodiest single day of the Civil War — and, in fact, the bloodiest one-day battle in American history — the Battle of Antietam.”

EAP is a Life Management Tool

The maximum benefit of the EAP service is gained through a proactive approach that addresses issues and concerns before they become problematic or interfere with your personal or work life. 

When faced with change or change around us, we all react differently.  Call the EAP when you need a new perspective on things or when you need help identifying your options and making informed choices.

USPS EAP Services

The primary service of the EAP is offering assessment, referral , and short term counseling.  Here are the most common reasons employees reach out to the EAP: 

      Job and life stress

      Depression

      Anxiety

      Marital discord

      Domestic violence

      Parenting issues

      Substance abuse services

      Financial concerns

      Gambling

      Change and change management

      Other Issues of general living

Remember, the EAP is available for your family members, too.

 The EAP also provides the following services and resources: 

       Counseling includes individual, marital, and family counseling modalities

      Crisis management and crisis intervention services

      Consultation for supervisors, managers, and union representatives

      Coaching for supervisors and managers

      Critical incident stress management services

      Website: EAP4YOU.com with information, self assessments, resources and tools

      Training and psycho educational sessions and materials

Make the time, make the call….it’ll help you cope with all of life better, and be more successful in things that are important to you. 

Grateful Customer Sends Flowers to Thank Inverrary SSAs for Service

L to R:  Ivy Cromer, Roderick Florence, Angela Briston-Brown and Lisa Collie are all smiles after receiving a thank you card and individual flower from a grateful customer.  Photo:  Tashia Romano

Fort Lauderdale's Inverrary Sales and Service Associates received a thank you card, along with a flower for each of them, from a very satisfied and grateful customer. The customer stated in the thank you card that they have given her over 10 years of exceptional service, and she hoped that the flowers "brightened their spirit so they can continue to serve with love." 
SSA Ivy Cromer, a 26-year career employee, stated "with all the negativity being said about the Post Office, it feels so wonderful to have someone acknowledge and appreciate the job we do." 
SSA Angela Briston-Brown, a 23-year career employees, was so thrilled to get the card and flower from the appreciative customer. 
"We all work so hard to ensure our customers are treated with courtesy and respect. We make sure that when they walk into the Inverrary Post Office, they know they will get prompt and reliable service from us with a smile," said Angela. 
The customer signed the card "With love and thanks -- A thankful customer."

How to Best Prepare for a Tornado

In the wake of violent tornado outbreaks in 2011 and this spring, NOAA and FEMA have joined together to arm Americans with information and strategies to make it through severe weather. In the inaugural Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the agencies are placing special emphasis on motivating individuals to be leaders in readying their communities for all types of severe weather.

In other words, NOAA and FEMA want you to be “a force of nature” in severe weather planning by taking on a few simple responsibilities:

* Know your risk by understanding the types hazardous weather that can affect you and your family where you live and work

* Take action by developing an emergency plan and creating or refreshing an emergency kit; and educating yourself about weather warnings

* Being that force of nature by educating others about how to prepare and by sharing information about weather hazards through social networks before and during severe weather.

A clear aim of this campaign is for preparedness information and efforts to grow virally. NOAA says people are most inspired to prepare when they see others preparing.

Both agencies view digital connections as the means for spreading preparedness information.

“Mobile technology and social media ... offer great opportunities to show others how to prepare,” FEMA wrote on its website. “When you are aware of danger, take action and then tell those around you what you’ve done to get them to take the same steps.”

Each day this week, NOAA and FEMA will post information on their websites about how individuals can be better equipped to deal with severe weather.

(Below is information from the State Farm website; however, it is not an endorsement of State Farm.)

6 Myths about Tornadoes

When you're in the path of a twister, every second counts. Knowing effective ways to protect yourself and your family could help save lives.

Myth 1: Opening windows equalizes air pressure and helps prevent the roof from being ripped off.

Fact: This act does little or nothing to prevent damage and wastes precious minutes in an emergency.

Tip: The powerful winds of a tornado can shatter windows. Help avoid injuries caused by flying, broken glass by taking shelter in a windowless room.

Myth 2: Taking shelter under an overpass during a tornado will protect me.

Fact: Overpasses and bridges can actually concentrate airflow from a tornado and become dangerous "wind tunnels." Hiding under an overpass may subject you to severe injuries from flying debris or even cause you to be blown out into the storm itself.

Tip: While not an ideal solution, it may be safer to find a low spot, such as a ditch, and lie face down with your hands covering your head.

Myth 3: The safest place to hide in a storm is the southwest corner of the basement.

Fact: A corner is often safer than against the middle of a long wall, which may be vulnerable to collapse in a tornado. A better bet is to gather in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor in a home.

Tip: Protect yourself from flying and falling debris by taking shelter under a heavy desk, mattress or sturdy stairwell.

Myth 4: Tornadoes are easy to spot.

Fact: A tornado may not be visible until it has picked up sufficient dirt and debris. Waiting to take shelter until you can actually see a funnel cloud puts you at risk.

Tip: Listen to weather reports for tornado warnings. A warning tells you a tornado has been spotted on radar and that you should seek shelter immediately.

Myth 5: I could outrun a tornado in my car.

Fact: It's never a good idea to try. The average ground speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but its winds can exceed 200 mph. Even if you're able to stay ahead of the funnel cloud, you could find yourself driving through drenching downpours and flying debris. You might also encounter downed power lines, trees, and other dangerous obstacles in the road.

Tip: While it does not recommend escaping a tornado by car, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says if you are in open country and the tornado is distant, it may be possible to drive out of harm's way. After detecting the direction of the storm's movement, drive at a right angle away from the tornado.

Myth 6: Tornadoes never strike here.

Fact: While some areas have a greater likelihood of tornadoes, these dangerous storms have occurred in every state in the U.S., in both urban and rural areas, and over land, mountains, and water. Never assume a particular location will be spared and always heed tornado warnings when they are issued.

Tip: Even if tornadoes are rare in your area, develop an emergency plan and practice it with your family.

More information about staying safe during a tornado is available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the American Red Cross.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.

10 of America’s Greatest 20th-Century Poets on Stamps

The Postal Service is honoring 10 of America’s most illustrious 20th-Century poets on First-Class Forever stamps.

“Throughout the ages, poetry has provided unique value, giving us a better understanding of life,” said Network Operations Vice President David Williams during a ceremony at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. “That’s why the Postal Service is honored to dedicate a new commemorative Forever stamp pane celebrating 10 of our nation’s most admired poets, including United States poet laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and National Book Award winners.”

The writers honored by the Postal Service are Elizabeth Bishop, Joseph Brodsky, Gwendolyn Brooks, E. E. Cummings, Robert Hayden, Denise Levertov, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roethke, Wallace Stevens and William Carlos Williams. 

It's Nat'l Crime Victims' Rights Week

This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, during which USPS and the Postal Inspection Service will promote greater public awareness about victims’ rights and services.

The campaign, which also is sponsored by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and the National Center for Victims of Crime, promotes the rights of victims and the nation’s progress in advancing these rights. This year’s theme is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.”

“Millions of citizens are victimized annually by senseless criminal acts,” said Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell. “The Postal Inspection Service is committed to supporting victims throughout the judicial process and assisting them in accessing services that can speed recovery.”

Once Postal Inspectors identify victims through their investigations, specialists make sure they receive timely notifications of their rights and information on available resources.

The Postal Service is distributing posters and informational cards to more than 15,000 Post Offices and Contract Postal Units. Three million customers are expected to visit these facilities each day during April.

Information about victim rights is available in Publication 308, Know Your Rights, A Guide for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, and at the Victim Witness Assistance website. Information also is available at the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week website.

Source:  NewsLink

10 Reasons the PO is Important to US

Special thanks to Sheryl Owen for submitting this article posted at http://www.changeofaddress.org/blog/2012/10-reasons-the-post-office-is-important-to-us/

Though many people argue that snail mail is going the way of the dinosaurs, there are actually several reasons why this isn’t—and shouldn’t—be the case. The impact of the U.S. Postal Service is a bit more far-reaching than many people may realize; here are ten of the reasons why this service isn’t quite the relic you may think.

1. Supplying Medication to Housebound Patients – For Americans with illnesses that leave them housebound but aren’t serious enough to justify the expense of full-time home healthcare, the Postal Service’s next-day mailing service and six day schedule help to prevent complications that can arise due to missed medication. In addition to this, the six day work week also helps mail order medical supply companies keep their costs down, as expensive overnight charges can be avoided with proper timing.
2. Plays a Major Role in the National Economic Structure – More than 8.5 million people are employed within the mailing and shipping industry, which supports almost $1 trillion dollars in annual economic activity.
3. There’s Still a Need For Postal Services – Almost every business, from the largest corporation to the smallest Mom and Pop operation, relies on the Postal Service for the delivery of advertising, billing, and goods. Though it may not seem like it as more companies take steps to go paperless, there are still a vast number of services that are only offered via mail.
4. Even Private Shipping Companies Use The Postal Service – One of the arguments that many people make against the U.S. Postal Service is that there are other companies offering the same services, such as UPS or FedEx. What most people don’t know is that deliveries on the local level are regularly handed off by these businesses to the Postal Service, who actually completes the delivery.
5. Physical Goods Can’t Be Emailed – Technology hasn’t quite reached the point of sending a tangible item digitally, and until that day comes all of those orders we place to online retailers still have to be processed by brick-and-mortar facilities and delivered by people.
6. Potential Damage to Publishers – While you can certainly read the latest issue of your favorite magazine on a tablet, the vast majority of Americans prefer to receive their magazines and newspapers in print. Additionally, greeting card companies, who still rely greatly on the Postal Service, could take a substantial hit if postal reform includes a major hike in postage prices or the closing of more offices.
7. Rural Americans Have No Other Choice – It may be difficult for city dwellers to imagine, but there are still a large number of Americans in rural areas that simply do not have the option of high-speed internet service. For these families, the Postal Service is still a very important part of the way they communicate and receive periodicals.
8. The Universal Service Obligation – Private carriers can exclude certain areas in their delivery realm, leaving residents without access to their services altogether. The U.S. Postal Service, however, has the “universal service obligation” to deliver everywhere.
9. A Sense of Community – For smaller towns especially, post offices still serve as a hub of the community in many ways. It’s not unusual to find bulletin boards advertising services inside the Post Office, along with a feeling of local pride. On a larger scale, even seasoned urbanites tend to view the post office as a link to both community and government.
10. The Safety of Mail and Mailboxes – Because the Postal Service holds the monopoly on mailbox deliveries, the safety of citizens’ private information and correspondence is protected to a large extent. Having a single, dedicated mail carrier in a given neighborhood means that there are only two groups with access to that mailbox: designated postal workers and the family who lives at the address. In the event of postal privatization, that monopoly would be lost, giving any courier access to information that could potentially be used to nefarious ends.

The congressional solution to the Postal Service problem is to simply slash jobs, close rural Post Offices and put an end to the six-day delivery schedule. While this will certainly save money in the short term, the damage to the long-term economic fabric could be substantial. The ripple-effect of these cuts will be felt by both private and business mail customers.

Happy Earth Day, Sunday, April 22!

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22.  Earlier this week, the U.S. Postal Service kicked off nationwide Earth Day events highlighting ways the Postal Service strives to be leaner, greener, smarter, and faster all year long. 

West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator LuAnn Warner set up a display table with brochures and fact sheets promoting our sustainability efforts and achievements at the Palm Beach State College's Earth Day event.  Students and local community members were pleased that the Postal Service is committing to sustainability and is working to create a culture of conservationism among its workforce.                       

 “The Postal Service is in every community in every state and that gives us a responsibility to be good neighbors,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman in remarks to employees during the Earth Day observance in Washington DC. “That’s why we work so hard to save energy, recycle and reduce waste.”

Our call to action is to be “leaner, greener, faster, smarter” in support of the overall goal to deliver mail at the lowest cost with minimal impact upon the environment.  And as a sustainability leader, the Postal Service has a Corporate Sustainability Office.  Energy Specialist Carroll Burgess is domiciled in the South Florida District.

In FY 2011, the Postal Service saved more than $55 million by reducing energy, water, consumables use and solid waste to landfills, conservation efforts encouraged by the Go Green Forever stamps.

Nationwide, the Postal Service also recycled 215,000 tons of material, which generated $24 million in new revenue, for a total of $79 million.  Employees at the Miami P&DC and the West Palm Beach P&DC are very active in their recycling program that generates revenue for the district.  Compactors are a great way to store waste waiting to be hauled for recycling or disposal.  Traditional waste-hauling companies have a set pick-up schedule, and the Postal Service’s cost is based on the number of pick-ups per week and the size of waste containers.  Proper management and scheduling gave resulted in significant savings.

The South Florida L&DC is a showcase of resource conservation and innovation.  This environmentally friendly facility uses energy efficient lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints; and low-water-use fixtures.  Native plant species are used in landscaping to minimize consumption of water and energy.

The Miami P&DC Green Team earned recognition in the Postmaster General’s Sustainability Awards Program for saving over $758,000 on electric bills over two years. To remain strong and keep its automation equipment running in top condition, the Miami P&DC installed three state-of-the-art air compressors and dryers.  To save money on water bills, a new water meter, backflow valve and water supply line installed to feed its chilled water towers were installed.  

In Key West, 35 delivery vehicles were converted to run on propane.  The Key West Post Office also has a three-wheeled electric vehicle with a 40-mile range, maximum speed of 12 mph, 450-pound weight capacity,  and two cents a mile average in energy costs.  Sixty letter carriers deliver mail on bicycle routes in Arizona and Florida (Miami Beach included), reducing emissions and saving fuel.  Nationwide, almost 75,000 letter carriers drive to a neighborhood, and then deliver mail on foot; more than 8,000 just deliver on foot.

Employees at our Vehicle Maintenance Facilities in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Miami, and West Palm Beach are recognized for protecting and preserving the environment.  They properly dispose of hazardous wastes that prevent contaminants from going into storm drains and participate in recycling programs for tires, coolants, and other automotive items. Last year the West Palm Beach VMF achieved model office status which included a review of its environmental program.

Our administrative offices recycle toner cartridges.  Empty cartridges have residual value, and recycling them creates postal revenue and slashes the amount of waste.  The cartridges themselves are energy intensive and do not break down in landfills.

The Postal Service demonstrates its commitment to helping consumers “go green” through a comprehensive approach to mail production, delivery, and recycling that helps create a sustainable future for generations to come.  Each year, the Postal Service purchases more than $200 million in products containing recycled content. Many of the containers that hold and move mail in the system are made from recycled materials, as are stamped envelopes, postcards, stamp booklet covers --- even the adhesive used in postage stamps is biodegradable.  The Postal Service is the only shipping company in the country to earn Cradle-to-Cradle certification for all Priority Mail and Express Mail packages and envelopes based on the environmental attributes of the materials used in packaging.

For more information about the Postal Service’s sustainability initiatives and the Go Green Forever stamps, visit usps.com/green and the usps green newsroom.

If you’d like to promote the sustainability efforts at your facility, please send an email to debbie.j.fetterly@usps.gov to be included in a sustainability story for the South Florida Insider and Southwest Area Update newsletters.  Your efforts also will be recognized in the South Florida Postal Blog.

May 12 is 20th NALC Food Drive

Planning for this year’s “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive is well under way.

May 12 will mark an important milestone for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive.  It will be the 20^th anniversary of the largest one-day food drive in the nation.

NALC Branch 1690 is having a food drive kick-off on Thursday, May 3, at 9:00 am at the Holy Name of Jesus Church at 345 S Military Trail in West Palm Beach. Feeding South Florida and the church will be providing food for the hungry during this event.  At 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 8, NALC Branch 2550 is having a kick-off awareness event in the lobby of the Fort Lauderdale Main Office, 1900 West Oakland Park Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.  Both events will be off-the-clock activities for employees.

Feeding America, USPS, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA), and the Campbell Soup Company are among the food drive’s sponsors.

The Postal Service is encouraging full support of this effort and urging employees and other customers to place a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods next to their mailboxes prior to regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 12.  Once again, Publix will provide designated plastic bags for South Florida city and rural letter carriers to deliver to residential addresses the week leading up to the drive.

Postal employees and customers have contributed more than one billion pounds of non-perishable food since the program began.  The drive has become so successful over the years in more than 10,000 cities and towns that it is now part of the fabric of fighting hunger in America. Food banks literally circle the second Saturday in May on their calendars, knowing that carriers will again fill their shelves.

Last year letter carriers collected 70.2 million pounds of canned goods, making the 2011 “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive the eighth consecutive drive surpassing 70 million pounds.  Let’s support this year’s campaign  and make it a record breaker!

A Brief History
The NALC National Food Drive is the outgrowth of a tradition of community service exhibited repeatedly by members of the letter carriers union over the years. These carriers, who go into neighborhoods in every town six days a week, have always been involved when something needed to be done, whether it be collecting funds for a charity like the Muscular Dystrophy Association, watching over the elderly through the Carrier Alert program, assisting the American Red Cross during time of disaster, or rescuing victims of fires, crime, and other mishaps.

For many years, a number of branches had collected food for the needy as part of their community service effort. Discussions were held by the NALC, U.S. Postal Service and AFL-CIO Community Services Department to explore a coordinated effort. A pilot drive was held in 10 cities in October, 1991, and it proved so successful that work began immediately on making it a nationwide effort.

Input from food banks and pantries suggested that late spring would be the best time since by then most food banks in the country start running out of donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods.

A revamped drive was organized for May 15, 1993—the second Saturday in May—with a goal of having at least one NALC branch in each of the 50 states participating. The result was astounding. More than 11 million pounds of food was collected—a one-day record in the United States—involving more than 220 union branches.

From Alaska to Florida and Maine to Hawaii, letter carriers did double duty—delivering mail and picking up donations. It just grew and grew from that point.

In 2010, the food drive surpassed the 1 billion pound park in total food collected over its history.

Source:  NALC

S.1789 Update

Earlier this week, the Senate voted to bring up S. 1789, the Lieberman-Collins-Carper-Brown postal relief.  The vote was 74-22, 14 votes more than necessary to invoke cloture.

The Senate is conducting general debate on postal reform and will proceed to consider this amendment.  The amendment makes changes to S. 1789 that would strengthen the protection of community Post Offices and provide the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) with authority to overrule USPS Post Office closing decisions; permit Medicare-eligible retired postal retirees the opportunity to enroll in a new, less expensive FEHBP option to complement Medicare coverage (but enrollment is not a requirement); maintain overnight mail delivery in many locations; and create opportunities for postal innovation, making better use of our assets. 

EAP Offers Tips on Talking with Your Family About Workplace Changes

April is "National EAP Awareness Month."


This year will be one of many changes for our organization and its employees.  Every situation is different, but it would be normal for you to be anxious when change at work affects your family.  The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers some suggestions to consider when talking with your spouse/partner and children.

If you are not already talking about the changes, consider reaching out to your family members and discussing what is happening.  Share your feelings about the situation and make an effort to explore the anxiety of change.  It can be lonely and difficult to suppress your concerns.  At times, feelings not shared and “held in” can surface in other ways that can be hurtful and difficult – anger, impatience, depression, nightmares, etc.  Talking openly with someone who cares and understands can be a great relief.

It is normal to have a full range of reactions (thinking, feeling and doing) when experiencing stress.  When significant change occurs, there is no one “right” or “normal” way to react.  It can be very helpful to work together and try to help each other manage stress, make good decisions, and find safe and healthy ways to cope.

Difficult times can have varying effects: you may become closer, it may create strain, change can generate or surface conflict, or it may have little effect on your relationship.  You can influence how change affects your relationships by the way you choose to address the effected members.

Provide honest answers to questions and talk with your family members in a timely manner.  Be honest and direct.  If you don’t know an answer to a question – say so.  If the question is answerable and getting the answer would help you and your family members, find time to get the answer.

Children often hear parts of discussions between you and your spouse/partner.  Make sure they get the whole (and true) story.  Children can also be sensitive to your unspoken cues about the anxiety or anger that you may be experiencing.  It is always best for children to get information directly from their parents, rather than trusting what they think they hear.  Children tend to create their own stories or versions of what is happening and their perceptions may be worse than reality.  Lack of accurate information and not allowing them to talk discuss the change may heighten the fear and misunderstanding.

Offer all the realistic reassurance that you can.  Help your child keep his or her concerns in the proper perspective. 

Continue to encourage your children to talk with you, ask questions, and to let you know how they are feeling.  Children need to feel they are part of the solution. If finances are a concern, taking a cut in allowance, deferring expensive purchases, or getting an after-school job can make them feel as if they are part of your financial management strategy.

Offer physical and emotional reassurance. Give your child a hug.  Let them know you are in control.

EAP has information and resources that can help you and your family better understand and cope with the normal reactions and relationship concerns, which can often happen when one or more parent is dealing with change and uncertainty at work.  

What's in the Postal Pipeline ...

OPENING MORE DOORS EVERY DAY

Some changes will be announced April 19 to Every Door Direct Mail requirements to create more opportunities for mailers. The length dimension applied to flats will be changed, effective May 7, from greater than 11 1/2 inches to greater than 10 1/2 inches (Standard Mail simplified addressing only, optional for rural route mail entered at BMEUs). This means that to be mailable as a Standard Mail simplified address flat, a piece must have a dimension greater than ONE (not necessarily all) of the following: greater than 10 1/2 inches long OR greater than 6 1/8 inches high OR greater than 1/4 inch thick. This change will make it possible for more types of mailpieces to qualify as Every Door Direct Mail, including flats like menus and door-hangers that are typically distributed to neighborhoods by other means than mail delivery.

Also, for the first time, mailers will have the option of sending Every Door Direct Mail to routes composed entirely of businesses. And addressing requirements will be simplified for Every Door Direct Mail entered at the BMEU. Bottom line: these changes will help build volume by meeting our customers’ needs.

Reminder: Customers can ship Every Door Direct Mail Retail to a destinating office using Priority Mail rather than enter the mailing in person, and they can request Carrier Pickup. 


GREETINGS TO WALMART     

Walmart is putting USPS shipping, electronic manifesting and package pickup to the test. Beginning April 25, the nation’s largest retailer will offer Priority Mail as an option to customers who want to ship items purchased at certain stores. Initially, the test will involve packages originating from 15 Walmart locations, with plans to expand to an additional 35 stores. Postage payment will be through the Electronic Verification System. Carrier Pickup will be an important part of the test.

SCULPTING OUR ADS     

What will be the message in the next USPS integrated advertising campaign? Testing and development work is now under way, and you can expect enhanced and improved tracking capabilities to figure prominently in a future ad campaign, as well as Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. Look for new TV and print ads, direct mail, Web banners and email blasts later this year.

Source:  The Product Line