FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Media Relations
March 18, 2003 202-268-2155
Release No. 015
www.usps.com

Postal Service Proposes Eye-Catching Ad Mail

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Postal Service has filed a request with the
Postal Rate Commission to establish a category of mail that would give direct
marketers the option of sending odd-shaped, eye-catching advertising pieces through
the mail. Called Customized MarketMail™ (CMM), this uniquely shaped mail would
add substantially to the direct marketer’s ability to obtain differentiation and impact in
the mailbox, according to Anita Bizzotto, Chief Marketing Officer of the Postal Service.

“With CMM, mail would become an even more valuable advertising tool than
before, and within defined standards, will be limited only by the creativity of the direct
marketer,” said Bizzotto. “If they want to send a post card that’s shaped like a bicycle
or a racing car, with CMM they would have that option.” Currently direct marketers are
not allowed to mail shapes such as triangular or oblong pieces.

CMM represents the Postal Service’s ongoing drive to meet the evolving
needs of the direct marketing industry: to provide new products and services that give
them the ability to mail creative, and unusual shapes and designs. With CMM, direct
marketers would have the option of mailing non-rectangular mailpieces up to 3.3
ounces in weight. The dimensions of the pieces could cover the span of the smallest
currently allowable letter-size piece up to the maximum flat-size of 12” x 15” x ¾”.

Details of the filing are available at www.prc.gov.

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