IMPRESSIVE CLICK-N-SHIP DEBUT. USPS online service Click-N-Ship has already printed more than 1 million labels for customers since its debut in May. Click-N-Ship lets customers create shipping labels and pay for postage from the convenience of their homes or offices. Adding to the appeal is the no-fee electronic rate Delivery Confirmation service they receive with every Priority Mail label they print.

"Click-N-Ship is a win-win offering that provides customers with an easy way to mail packages and reduce lines at the retail window," notes Nick Barranca, VP, Product Development. "It also will help post offices grow revenue since the revenue is allocated back to the mailing ZIP Code."

In October alone, Click-N-Ship generated nearly $490,000 in online postage revenue. With holidays fast approaching, expect to see a significant increase in both volume and revenue. Customers can check out the service at www.usps.com.

MORE AWARDS. USPS has racked up another five awards for its much-honored 2001 Annual Report. This time, the accolades come from the prestigious American Business Communications group. The publication received an award for outstanding achievement in cover design; first place for narrative presentation; second place for photo/illustration; third place for overall presentation and third place for the letter to shareholders.

CONTRACT EXTENSION VOTE. The American Postal Workers Union website reports that its Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee voted last week to send the tentative agreement extending the union's collective bargaining pact to APWU members for a ratification vote. If passed, the new agreement would affect more than 300,000 USPS employees represented by APWU.

LOOK FOR USPS HOLIDAY ADS ON THANKSGIVING DAY. New USPS holiday television ads will debut during the televised Thanksgiving Day parades. This year's holiday messaging focuses on sending and receiving mail during the holidays, and how USPS helps people connect. Three 15-second TV spots will either run alone or be paired in a 30-second time slot. In the ads, Postal Service products and services are featured as they relate to the sending and receiving storyline. "Home" features a young mother sending photos of her sons by Priority Mail service to her husband in the military. "Jingle" features a woman meeting her carrier at the door of her home, handing him a stack of greeting cards and receiving a stack in return. "Winter Wonderland" shows a grandmother in a Post Office mailing holiday gifts for her grandson, and then showing the grandson opening the package.