Customers List Their Choices For Living Stamp Subjects
Filed under: postal, postal news, stamps, usps, USPS News Link
If respondents on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter accounts had their way, postage stamps would soon bear the images of Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Springsteen.
Those are the popular online suggestions — so far — for stamp subjects after the Postal Service last month announced its decision to begin honoring living people on stamps in 2012 and inviting the public to submit their ideas for individuals to honor through social media (Link, 9/26).
The idea appears to have captured the public’s imagination, judging from the amount of feedback the announcement is receiving. According to Steve Kearney, manager, Stamp Services, “likes” on the Postal Service’s Facebook page — in just one week after the announcement — jumped from slightly more than 3,000 to more than 5,900. In that time, the Postal Service’s Twitter account picked up 648 additional followers.
Entertainers are the most popular online choices for living subjects, with pop performer Lady Gaga receiving the most votes — including nearly 70 percent of the nominations from Twitter. Following her in popularity are Stephen Colbert and Oprah Winfrey.
After entertainers, political, historical and social leaders have the most nominations. Among these are presidents, first ladies, writer Maya Angelou, Bill Gates and a petition for Dr. Bill Bass. There is no clear leader in this category, though Astronaut Neil Armstrong is the second most popular choice overall for all categories.
People also have taken time to write more than 600 letters containing suggestions, and Lady Gaga was proposed in only two. Letters continue to arrive every day, and to date the most popular choices include living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Rev. Billy Graham, Bob Dylan and Bill Gates.
The Postal Service publicized its new policy through other means and received similar levels of feedback. An email sent to more than 10,000 subscribers of Beyond the Perf was opened by 5,092. Beyond the Perf has since added 83 new subscribers.
source: USPS News Link
USPS To Honor Living People On Stamps
Filed under: postal, postal news, stamps, usps, USPS News Link
USPS EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR STAMP RECOGNITION
Beginning next year, the Postal Service’s stamp program will recognize acclaimed musicians, sports stars, writers, artists and other nationally-known figures on U.S. postage stamps — while they’re still alive.
USPS is ending its rule stating an individual must have been deceased for at least five years before becoming eligible to be honored with a stamp. Under the new guidelines, living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration. Read more
U.S. Postal Service Issues Garden of Love Forever Stamps
CRESTWOOD, KY — Love can now last forever as the U.S. Postal Service issued today the Garden of Love Forever stamps and related philatelic products, which go on sale nationwide at local Post Offices, online at usps.com and through the toll-free line, 1-800 782-6724. Read more
USPS Releases Purple Heart With Ribbon Forever Stamp
Honoring Sacrifice: The Oldest Military Decoration in the World in Present Use Lasts Forever on U.S. Postage Stamp
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Postal Service today honored the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the U.S. military with the issuance of the Purple Heart with Ribbon Forever Stamp. The stamp goes on sale nationwide at Post Offices and online at usps.com/shop today.
“It is our hope, that with the issuance of this stamp, the Postal Service, along with the rest of our nation, can pay tribute to those whose sacrifices have given all of us a country that is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman.
“Through this postage stamp, we have created a lasting tribute to the many brave members of the armed forces who have served our country. We are proud to share their legacy with America and the world, as we deliver our nation’s mail,” Stroman said.
Stroman was joined in dedicating the stamp by Rear Admiral Mac McLaughlin, USN (ret), president and chief executive officer, USS Midway Museum; Clayton Jones, commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart; Jerry Sanders, mayor, San Diego; and Ira Wexler, stamp photographer. Read more
Astronaut Alan Shepard Immortalized on Forever Stamp
Two Stamps Recognize 50th Anniversary of First Manned Spaceflight
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL — The Postal Service dedicated two stamps today commemorating two historic events — one that occurred a half century ago, and the second that’s making history now. Read more
Postal Service Begins Civil War Stamp Series
Multi-year Series Marks Historic Events during 150-Year Anniversary
CHARLESTON, SC — The U.S. Postal Service today issued the first of an annual series of Forever Stamps that recognize key events of the Civil War — America’s bloodiest conflict, which began 150 years ago today at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony took place at Liberty Square in Charleston, a location within earshot of cannon fire that ignited the conflict that killed 670,000 Americans — a casualty rate exceeding the combined total of Americans killed in all wars since that time. Read more
USPS: When customers can’t find the stamps they want Post Offices get unfavorable rating
This is a problem in some Post Offices that should be corrected ASAP:
Stamp Availability Critical To Customer Satisfaction
The USPS stamp program is a unique opportunity to honor the nation’s accomplished citizens, achievements, history and natural wonders.
Customers enjoy the rich variety of the stamp program’s subjects — and stamps are a key reason they visit Post Offices, call the USPS customer service phone number or go to usps.com.
When customers can’t find the stamps they want, they tend to rate their Post Offices unfavorably, according to Customer Experience Measurement (CEM) data. In fact, overall satisfaction ratings for some Post Offices have dropped by 50 percentage points when only a limited variety or quantity of stamps is available.
Postmasters and station managers can help customers fully participate in the stamp program by stocking enough stamps to meet customers’ mailing and collecting needs. Preordering additional stamps helps keep CEM ratings strong. Postal Bulletin announces all automatic stamp distribution dates.
Postmasters may order stamps through their Stamp Distribution Office or Stamp Services Center 30 days prior to a stamp’s first day of issue. As policy, all Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp for a minimum of 90 days from the first day of issue, and beyond that in accordance with customer demand until inventory is depleted or the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.
If stamp supplies run low, Post Offices must request additional quantities using normal ordering procedures. For help with stamp stock management, check out the Accounting website on Blue for information on a training course and other resources.
source: USPS News Link
Readers Pick Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet Commemorative For Best Stamps Award Of 2010
Last year’s release of Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet stamps appears to have created a strong case of puppy love with customers.
The stamps, featuring photographs of five cats and five dogs from animal shelters and rescue groups, earned the “Reader’s Pick from 2010” award for the best stamps of last year as voted by reader’s of Beyond the Perf — the Postal Service’s online complement to the USA Philatelic catalog. Click here to view the list of winners.
To date, customers have purchased a total of 13.4 million panes, generating more than $117 million. An average commemorative stamp printing is 65 million individual stamps. USPS initially printed 300 million Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps — 4.5 times more than average.
“Sales of the stamps exceeded expectations,” said Stamp Services Manager Dave Failor. “USPS minted an additional 100 million stamps to meet demand — the only commemorative stamps in past 5 years to receive a reprinting.”
The Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet stamps continued the Postal Service’s half-century tradition of promoting attention and awareness of national social issues. The stamps received a boost from talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, a well-known advocate for pet adoption — and Halo, a pet food company she co-owns. After introducing the stamps on the Ellen DeGeneres Show last March, USPS and Halo launched a Stamps to the Rescue campaign. Halo set a goal of feeding 1 million shelter dogs and cats by the end of 2010 — and delivered on its promise. Halo has donated food to more than 100 shelters throughout the United States.
The animals featured on the Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet commemorative stamps are based on photographs of cats and dogs from shelters and rescue groups — seven from an animal shelter in New Milford, CT. All were adopted into family homes.
The 44-cent First-Class Mail stamps are available for sale at The Postal Store, local Post Offices and 800-STAMP-24.
USPS: 2011 Stamp Program Debuts
Filed under: postal, postal news, press releases, stamps, usps
WASHINGTON — From a former U.S. president to legends of Latin music to the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500-mile auto race to the garden of love, the 2011 commemorative stamp program has something for everyone.
The U.S. Postal Service today officially unveiled the images of its commemorative stamp program. Among this year’s honorees are former President Ronald Reagan, legendary author Mark Twain, award-winning actor and actress Gregory Peck and Helen Hayes, and Latin music giants Selena, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.
In addition, former U.S. Congresswoman from Texas Barbara Jordan is the 2011 Black Heritage stamp honoree. Stamps will be issued to observe the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the 50th anniversary of America’s first manned spaceflight and a celebration of Disney Pixar movie characters: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars; Remy the rat and Linguini from Ratatouille; Buzz Lightyear and two of the green, three-eyed aliens from Toy Story; Carl Fredricksen and Dug from Up; and the robot WALL*E from Wall*E on Send a Hello stamps.
The Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit stamp, to be issued Jan. 22, will be a Forever Stamp for use in mailing a 1-ounce letter. Regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used in the new year, no matter how prices may change in the future, these stamps will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Since the first Forever Stamp, featuring the Liberty Bell, was issued in April 2007, 28 billion Forever Stamps have been sold, resulting in $12.1 billion in total revenue. Now that the Postal Service offers coils, booklets and Holiday Forever Stamps, almost 85 percent of its stamp program is Forever.
In addition, new designs will be issued for Purple Heart, Wedding and Holidays stamps in 2011. Stamps may be purchased at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24.
see all stamps from Beyond the Perf website
Postage Stamps, Like Shipping Supplies, Better for Mother Earth
Stamps, Stamped Products Cradle to Cradle Certified
WASHINGTON — For more than two centuries, the U.S. Postal Service has issued postage stamps and postal stationery to portray the American experience to a world audience. Now, those stamps and stamped products are Cradle to Cradle Certified CM.
Products meet Cradle to Cradle requirements when every ingredient tested is either biodegradable or recyclable, when their toxicity is 100 parts per million or less, and when company operations are powered by renewable energy and consider people and ecosystems.
“Our Cradle to Cradle products are designed to be safe and environmentally responsible,” said Sam Pulcrano, vice president, Sustainability. “In 2009, the Postal Service provided one billion eco-friendly mailing and shipping supplies to our customers. Now, 27 billion stamps and stamped products join our Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM product line.”
The Postal Service is the only mailing and shipping company worldwide to provide packaging supplies that are Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM. To achieve this designation for its stamps and stamped products, more than 175 materials used by the agency’s 58 suppliers were assessed and met requirements by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) for:
* Impact on human and environmental health.
* Recyclability/compostability and recycled/renewable content.
In addition, the product manufacturing processes were evaluated for:
* Renewable energy use.
* Water stewardship.
* Social responsibility.
“The Postal Service is working hard to create a culture of conservation among our nearly 600,000 employees,” Pulcrano said. “Our Cradle to Cradle Certification and other green practices are widely recognized. They include our recycling and mail-back programs, green purchasing programs, and energy efficient facilities, including our green roof in New York City.”
The Postal Service’s sustainability initiatives decrease greenhouse gases and save money and resources. A number of the agency’s recent successes include:
* a 10.8 trillion reduction in British thermal units (Btu) in facility energy use since 2005.
* $400 million in savings in energy costs since 2007.
* $314 million in savings due to reduced contracted transportation fuel use.
* 10 million saved sheets of paper through Human Resources online initiatives.
* a 2-cent-per-mile cost to operate three-wheeled electric delivery vehicles.
The Postal Service has won more than 75 environmental awards, including 40 White House Closing the Circle, 10 Environmental Protection Agency WasteWise Partner of the Year, Climate Action Champion, Direct Marketing Association Green Echo, and the Postal Technology International Environmental Achievement of the Year, 2009.
For more information about USPS green initiatives, visit usps.com/green and the green newsroom.