Postal Service Recognizes Redwood City’s Zazzle.com at 2008 National Postal Forum

ANAHEIM, CA —The U.S. Postal Service today recognized Zazzle.com of Redwood City with its Strategic Business Development Award for the company’s commitment to a successful business partnership with the Postal Service. At each National Postal Forum, a select group of Postal customers is acknowledged and recognized for their contributions to the continued success of the mailing industry.

The Strategic Business Development Award, one of three “best in class” awards presented annually at the Forum, recognizes customers who have taken steps to implement new technologies and best practices to maximize efficiencies in the mail value chain. They have employed modern technologies and automation in their mail operations to improve productivity. These operational improvements have streamlined their production and provided their customers with a mail product that delivers increased value and business results.

Founded in 1999, Zazzle.com’s stated mission is to redefine commerce and to do so with the power of imagination. Its vision was to take a step beyond the current internet marketplace, arguing that that business model had a limit, an already existing and exhaustible supply of goods. Zazzle.com predicted that the next generation of commerce would use on-demand, made-to-order technologies, which would tend to reduce the economics of scarcity and engender an accessible marketplace where anyone can create and sell products with no upfront cost. With an instant manufacturing and printing capability, Zazzle.com can take an uploaded image or design and within 24 hours ship a quality product – poster, map, apparel, mug, and more to the customer with that design. 

As a pioneer in micro retailing, content owners regardless of size or capitalization can sell product with no investment in a retail operation or actual inventory. Through Zazzle.com, Disney and Star Wars and other top brands have made available thousands of iconic designs and sketches. And, for a lone photographer, new music group or graphic designer, Zazzle.com offers the same possibilities to apply any uploaded design to a product and then pay a commission to the artist. Building their brand there became an element of concern. Yes, they could ship in 24 hours, but with which carrier would the product arrive without damage and what should the packages look like?

Priority Mail was chosen as the preferred delivery service. Working with U.S. Postal Service sales and business development teams, unique co-branded packaging customized to the specialized requirements of Zazzle.com were developed. A first of its kind “stay flat” container was introduced for shipping large non-rollable documents, a hard tube for rolled posters and archive quality posters and maps was engineered, and the Flat Rate Priority Mail box neatly accommodated mugs and a wide variety of product.  All packages boldly proclaimed the brand of Zazzle.com at just the right place to convey the company image. And, of course, the additional no extra charge Saturday delivery to customers – who are more likely to be home – registered high marks for quick delivery of undamaged goods.

Zazzle.com’s vision of a new on-demand micro-retailing marketplace was creatively married with the nationwide customer support resources and delivery reach of the U.S. Postal Service. Go to Zazzle.com and check the number of testimonials commenting on the quick speed and high quality of fulfillment.  Zazzle.com has the lowest return rate (under 1%) in the industry. Zazzle.com and the USPS have finalized a new box design. Look for it in your mailbox or on your doorstep soon.

“I congratulate Zazzle.com for having recognized the vital importance of innovation, teamwork, communications and customer satisfaction using the mail,” said Susan Plonkey, vice president, Customer Service, U.S. Postal Service.

The National Postal Forum is the mailing industry’s premier trade show and event. More than 7,000 industry professionals attend the four-day conference that features 140 workshops and special sessions, four symposiums and 13 professional certificate programs.

For more information on the 2008 National Postal Forum, visit www.npf.org.