MEMO TO MAILERS - MAY 2006 (text)
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
VOLUME 41 NUMBER 5
MAY 2006

WHAT'S INSIDE
REPOSITIONABLE NOTES
ADDRESS CHANGES
USPS WEB TOOLS
KEEPING POSTED
POSTAL NEWS BRIEFS

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ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Size this new Priority Mail Shoe Box “E” for easy!

With consumers buying more clothing and accessories through the mail, shoes are one of the hottest growing items in this category. The Postal Service is responding to the need for a convenient box to ship or return shoes by launching a new Priority Mail Shoe Box.

Clothing retailers, direct-to-consumer shippers and eBay sellers are certain to embrace the convenience of one box that fits all shoe sizes.

“This product offers a quick, easy and convenient solution for our customers in an important and growing market segment,” says Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Anita Bizzotto. “With the Priority Mail Shoe Box, one size does fit all.”

In the highly competitive direct-to-consumer market, the low cost and up-front pricing of Priority Mail gives shippers who use this product a way to provide more value to their customers. It’s estimated that on average the shoe box will ship for between $4.05 and $6.05 coast to coast.

“We think that having one large box that can accommodate all different sizes of shoes will make shipping easier for those of us who sell shoes by mail,” says Larry Gershberg, owner of aperfectdealer.com, which ships 200-300 boxes of shoes a day from a store in northern New Jersey.

“We love the look of the box and the convenience, and plan to move more of our business to the Postal Service” because of its availability, he said.

The decoratively illustrated Priority Mail Shoe Box measures 7 1/2” x 5 1/8” x 14 3/8” and has been designed so that almost any brand and size of shoe box will slide right in. The box is durable and self-sealing and, as with all Priority Mail packaging, is available at no additional cost to Priority Mail shippers.

The new box will be available at www.usps.com/shippingsupplies in packs of 10 or call 1-800-610-8734 for larger orders.

The new box also is convenient for anyone who needs to send shoes for repair, as a gift or as a return. For the ultimate in ease, customers can use Click-N-Ship — offered online though USPS.com, the eBay Shipping Solution or PC Postage — print a shipping label and use Carrier Pickup to let their Post Office know they have packages to be collected when their letter carrier delivers their mail the following day.

Because mail for military personnel overseas is handled as domestic mail when it is addressed to an APO or FPO address, the Priority Mail Shoe Box is a great way to send hard-to-get shoes to family members overseas.

If the shoe fits? Of course it does!

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RPNS: NOTED WITH SUCCESS
Need a homerun hitter for your lineup of marketing tools? Get great results with Repositionable Notes (RPNs) — sticky notes that can be placed on envelopes, catalogs, magazines or newspapers to highlight important information or a special offer. Since the notes can be easily removed from the envelope, the recipient can place them somewhere handy as a reminder of the offer.

Since their launch in April 2005, RPNs have been used in more than 2,700 mailings totaling more than 131 million pieces. RPNs’ provisional service test has been extended by one year, through April 2007.

Marketers have praised RPNs as innovative and a valuable addition to their marketing mix.

ESPN The Magazine, a nationally circulated sports magazine, tested RPNs to drive up membership of the premium online service called “ESPN Insider.” “We hoped the note would encourage our subscribers to enhance their member benefits by taking advantage of our free offer to access even more ESPN information online,” says senior distribution manager Dennis Farley.

ESPN The Magazine, which mails over 2 million copies biweekly, selected 20,000 new subscribers to test an offer using RPNs. The Jan. 2, 2006, issue featured a two-color RPN note that highlighted the tagline across the top, “GET MORE!”

Subscribers weren’t able to immediately access ESPN’s website to register after receiving the offer in-home due to unforseen systems issues. However, ESPN The Magazine still reported a good initial response rate. New registrations continued to come in weeks after the offer was sent.

“We couldn’t believe it!” said Farley. “We figured the subscribers who had tried to register when the website was down would have given up, but they didn't. New registrations tied to the offer kept coming.”

This is a true testament to the fact that RPNs extend the life of the mailpiece. ESPN The Magazine is exploring future use of RPNs for advertising, for last issue notifications and to sell ESPN products. “RPNs will definitely become a part of our regular marketing mix,” says Farley.

Go to www.usps.com/repositionablenotes.

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MOVING SEASON AHEAD
A recent report by the National Association of Realtors says “home sales should generally level out” but “remain at historically high levels.” This means that address changes filed with the U.S. Postal Service will also remain at historically high levels. Last year, there were 45 million address changes, up from 44 million the previous year.

The fastest, easiest and most convenient way to file a change of address with the Postal Service is with MoversGuide Online, available at USPS.com. MoversGuide Online enables automatic processing of address changes and makes a trip to the Post Office unnecessary. An e-mail address is required for this service and to prevent fraud, the Postal Service charges a $1 fee via credit card to verify identities.

Alternatively, online forms can be printed and mailed without cost, left for mail carriers to pick up, or dropped off at local Post Offices.

The popularity of MoversGuide Online has more than tripled since 2002, its first full year of operation. Today, more than 6 million people have used the service to file a change of address. Other change-of-address options include Telephone Change of Address (1-800-ASK-USPS) and the hard copy Mover’s Guide packet found in Post Office lobbies.

If you're a business, how many of these Americans on the move are your customers?

The Postal Service can guide you through smart choices for getting your mail addressed and getting it delivered right the first time. For information on addressing, go to
Business Mail 101 website at www.usps.com/businessmail101/addressing. It's a great tool that will help you harness the power of mail for your business or organization.

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QUOTABLE
“One thing that really stood out to me at the National Postal Forum was the appreciation that the Post Office has for its customers. Without fail, every postal employee I met, from the deputy postmaster general of the United States to the postmaster of Orlando, said thank-you to me for my business. I think they might appreciate their customers almost as much as I do mine!”
– Julie Swatek, President, ScrapYourTrip.com

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USPS WEB TOOLS: FLEXIBILITY FOR ECOMMERCE
How can you keep e-shoppers on your website? How can you save money in your shipping operation? Print domestic and international shipping labels right from your computer and get no fee or reduced fee Confirmation Services?

Make accessing USPS information, products and services fast, economical and hassle-free for you and your customers. Empower yourself and your customers to make informed shipping decisions with USPS Web Tools.

The U.S. Postal Service provides a host of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for USPS information, products and services that can be integrated into e-commerce websites, client shipping operations, customer service centers and commercial off-the-shelf software products. These tools make it easy for e-shoppers to print domestic and international shipping labels and Customs forms, schedule a Carrier Pickup, validate addresses, verify delivery of packages, calculate shipping rates and determine estimated transit times.

Look for the soon-to-be-released Global Airmail Parcel Post and Global Priority Mail label APIs with integrated Customs forms. Global Express Mail label APIs already are available for your international shipments.

USPS Web Tools are available at no charge.

Integrators communicate to the USPS Shipping API server over HTTP/HTTPS using XML (Extensible Markup Language).

After registering to utilize services, use of the APIs is a four-step process: establish connection to the USPS API server, send request (whether Visual Basic, Perl, ASP or other language), receive and parse the response from the API server and close the Internet connection.

Online registration and technical guides are available for each API and may be found at: http://www.usps.com/webtools. Sample code is also available in each guide to facilitate your integration development. In addition, should you require assistance in integrating the USPS APIs, please consider one of our proven service providers available at: http://www.usps.com/webtools/providers.htm.

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POSTAGE METER REMINDER
Phase III postage meter users who plan to continue using a meter for postage are reminded that transition to a more secure U.S. Postal Service-approved postage meter must be completed by Dec. 31, 2006. This decertification date was established in 2001.

Postage meters classified as Phase III are those that use rotary (letterpress) technology to print postage and do not automatically disable if reset within a certain time period. Customers using this technology should keep in mind that once decertified, Phase III meters cannot be reset. Phase III meters must be off the market and withdrawn from service by Dec. 31, 2006.

Meter users who choose to transition to one of the newer, secure postage meter models will have access to the advantages offered by Intelligent Mail — including greater mailpiece visibility and improved ability to provide predictable and accurate delivery by the Postal Service.

Enabled by data-rich and machine-readable information, Intelligent Mail integrates multiple value-added services into a single barcode that is unique and trackable throughout the postal distribution network.

To help facilitate Phase III decertification, the Postal Service has provided all commercial postage meter vendors a letter for distribution that outlines the transition requirements.

Customers who have questions about approved meter replacement models should contact a commercial postage meter vendor. Mailing system representatives at the vendor companies have received specialized training to answer questions about replacement meters and the decertification process.

To get more information on digital technology, postage meter decertification schedules and a listing of USPS-approved meter vendors, go to www.usps.com/postagesolutions/flash.htm.

-------INFO@USPS
SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS
Get new customers.
Meet customer demands.
Around town or around the world.
www.usps.com

SIMPLE FORMULAS
Use the mail to grow your business.
Order a Simple Formulas kit.
800-THE-USPS, ext. AD4433

SEND MAIL FROM YOUR PC
Send postcards, letters,
flyers, booklets or greeting cards.
www.usps.com/netpost

THE POSTAL STORE ONLINE
Open 24/7. Stamps.
Subscription services.
Digital scales.
www.usps.com/shop

SHIPPING INFORMATION
Express Mail, Priority Mail
and package support line.
800-222-1811

PRINT POSTAGE ONLINE
Your shipping label is just
a Click-N-Ship away.
www.usps.com/clicknship

CARRIER PICKUP
From your home or office
at no extra charge.
www.usps.com/pickup

ONLINE SHORTCUT
One-click access.
www.usps.com/smartbusiness

QUESTIONS?
800-ASK-USPS

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KEEPING POSTED
NEWS FROM AND FOR POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCILS

SUCCESSFUL PCC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE HELD
AT NPF
The focus at the Postal Customer Council (PCC) Leadership Conference was on efforts to promote PCC excellence and create opportunities for growth for both the Postal Service and its PCCs.

The conference was held in connection with the National Postal Forum (NPF) last month in Orlando, FL.

With attendance at the Forum at a record level, the opening session of the PCC Leadership Conference drew an overflow crowd to hear remarks from Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer Pat Donahoe, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Anita Bizzotto and Vice President of Customer Service Susan Plonkey.

Other sessions included PCC Advisory Committee Restructuring, designed to ensure PCCs of all sizes are represented by the advisory group, and PCC Best Practices, an interactive session during which a panel of PCC co-chairs and attendees shared best practices for PCC success.

The Premier PCC Program session provided a set of national standards that will serve as the benchmarks for PCC excellence and address the PCC Network’s core growth strategy of implementing and leveraging network best practices to create business growth opportunities for the Postal Service and its PCC members.

Based on national standards, PCCs will be recognized as performing at bronze, silver or gold levels. In addition, high performance in the Premier PCC Program will be used to help identify individual PCCs or a group of PCCs clustered together geographically to be considered as the host site for future National PCC Days.

Also at this year’s Forum, the PCC Mail Service Providers program was announced. It offers PCC members who are qualifying mail service providers (MSP) an opportunity to be listed on the National PCC Web page on USPS.com. MSP program participants will have a chance to be discovered by new and existing USPS customers who visit the National PCC page and who may be seeking mail-related services, offered by listed MSPs, in order to enhance their use of the mail and services offered by the Postal Service.

Finally, PCCs learned about all the new educational workshops currently available and the numerous offerings that are in the final phase of production. These workshops and the professional certificate and competency-based programs are in high demand by PCCs to provide their membership with current information on USPS products, services and programs, and an opportunity to network to help drive business success by using the mail. There may be recommended changes in PCC practices and programs in the future.

For more information on all of these programs, contact your local PCC co-chair or log on to www.usps.com/nationalpcc.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The board of the Miami-Dade County PCC recently hosted a group of postmasters, area managers and station managers from Miami and associate offices.

“It’s about improving relationships and service,” said Miami Postmaster Jesus Galvez, postal co-chair of the PCC. “We want the managers to take what they’ve learned here back to their employees and focus on our commitments to our mailers.”

The meeting opened lines of communication among the groups. Managers, PCC board members and major mailers introduced themselves and described their areas of responsibilities, experiences and concerns.

“The Postal Service is an important and viable part of my small business,” said Miami-Dade County PCC Secretary Bob Parker, owner of BatteryBob.com. “I have a real respect and admiration for everything they do.”

NATIONAL PCC DAY IS SEPT. 20
Mark your calendars for this year’s National PCC Day on Sept. 20, hosted by the Dallas and Fort Worth PCCs at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, TX. In addition, Madison, WI, the 2005 host site, and Miami Dade County, the 2005 PCC of the Year, will be remote sites and will participate in this year’s live broadcast.

Postmaster General John E. Potter and other top USPS executives will be featured during the one-hour broadcast.

Contact your local PCC for more information on local events where the broadcast may be viewed.

Not a member of a PCC yet? Then it’s time to join and take advantage of all the educational and networking opportunities available. As a PCC member you’ll meet leaders in the industry and learn about USPS products and services and how to use them to your company’s advantage.

Go to www.usps.com/nationalpcc and select “Become a PCC Member.”

MAILING PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM IN BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON, DC
The Postal Service’s Customer and Industry Marketing group will offer the Executive Mail Center Manager (EMCM) program July 10-14 through the Baltimore-Washington PCC.

The EMCM program is a nationally recognized professional designation within the mailing industry. It includes courses developed by the Postal Service in conjunction with industry leaders and nationally recognized training experts.

The program provides the highest level instruction in the areas that concern today’s mail managers most — how to boost productivity, increase efficiency, maximize leading-edge technology and enhance results.

For more information, contact Heidi Cherry at 202-268-2054 or heidi.cherry@usps.gov.

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POSTAL NEWS BRIEFS
USPS SEEKS PRICE ADJUSTMENTS
The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service proposed a “forever stamp” as part of a broader rate adjustment plan that would go into effect next year. Customers would be able to purchase a special First-Class stamp that would be good for any future single-piece First-Class letter mailing, no matter how prices might change beyond 2007.

“A forever stamp would help ease the transition to any future price adjustments,” said Board of Governors Chairman James C. Miller III.

On the broader plan, the Governors cited increasing costs for fuel and health care as among the reasons for filing with the independent Postal Rate Commission (PRC) for price adjustments next year. The plan includes a 3-cent increase in the price of a First-Class stamp. The annual effect is well below $6 for the average household.

“The Postal Service is not immune to the cost pressures affecting every household and business in America,” said Postmaster General John E. Potter. “However, by the time new rates take effect next spring, the cost of a First-Class stamp will have increased by an average of just a penny a year during the last five years, less than many other consumer products and services.”

As one of the nation’s largest transportation and delivery organizations, the Postal Service is extremely sensitive to rising energy costs. USPS operates a fleet of more than 260,000 delivery vehicles, supported by air transportation contracts, more than 17,000 long-haul surface transportation contracts and a network of more than 37,000 facilities.

Like other businesses, the Postal Service also has experienced significant growth in health benefit payments for more than 621,000 current employees and 445,000 retirees. In 2005 alone, these costs increased by $437 million, reaching a total of $6.6 billion.

When new rates are implemented in 2007, the price of a stamp will have grown at or below the rate of inflation since the last operational rate adjustment in 2002 — and since today’s Postal Service began operations in 1971.

Postal Service operations are funded solely by the sale of products and services, not by tax revenues. While other delivery services have responded to growing costs with fuel surcharges and annual rate increases, this filing is the first time since 2002 that the Postal Service is proposing to adjust rates to cover growth in operational costs.

A January 2006 rate increase was implemented solely to fund a $3.1 billion escrow account required by a 2003 federal law. Congress has not yet determined how the Postal Service may apply these funds.

PERFORMANCE SCORES RELEASED
The men and women of the U.S. Postal Service attained a 95 percent on-time performance score for overnight delivery of First-Class Mail for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006.

The assessment, measured independently by IBM Consulting Services, also cites 89 percent on-time for two-day delivery and 86 percent on-time for three-day delivery — which is carried by air — from Jan. 1 through March 31. “Service performance remains the top priority of the U.S. Postal Service,” says Vice President and Consumer Advocate Delores Killette. “And this measurement system has helped transform the way the Postal Service conducts business.”

This report provides an independent assessment of the time it takes a piece of First-Class Mail, once it’s deposited into a collection box, to be delivered to one of more than 145 million American homes, businesses and Post Office boxes.

Five Postal Service districts lead the nation by reaching a 97 percent on-time delivery score. They are: Big Sky, comprising the state of Montana; Capital, comprising Washington, DC, and portions of Maryland; the Dakotas, comprising North and South Dakota and northeast Minnesota; Seattle, comprising most of western Washington and portions of central Washington; and Spokane, comprising eastern Washington and Idaho.

During the same period, residential customer satisfaction was measured at 91 percent. Six of the Postal Service’s districts earned 96 percent and better scores for customer satisfaction. They are: Western New York, at 97 percent, comprising the western portion of New York state, including Buffalo and Rochester. Additionally, achieving a 96 percent score are: Albany, comprising the northern, eastern and central portions of New York state; Massachusetts, comprising most portions of the state of Massachusetts; the state of Maine; Hawkeye, comprising Missouri, Iowa and portions of Kansas; and Erie, comprising most of western Pennsylvania.

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MEMO TO MAILERS
Volume 41 Number 5

Ilze Sella
Editorial Services

David Ostroff
Designer

George Huelsman
Purchasing Specialist

John E. Potter
Postmaster General and CEO

Thomas G. Day
Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications

MEMO TO MAILERS
is published by U.S. Postal Service
Public Affairs and Communications.
USPS eagle symbol and logotype are
registered marks of the
United States Postal Service.

© 2006 United States Postal Service. The following are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: USPS®, U.S. Postal Service®, United States Postal Service®, Postal Service™, Post Office™, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Standard Mail™, First-Class Mail®, Registered Mail™, Certified Mail™, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, ZIP Code™, Click-N-Ship®, NetPost® and The Postal Store®. This list is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service marks.

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