Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Animation stamps from UK

Issue Date: 7th January 2014

Catalogue code: AP384

Presentation pack from the classic children's TV collection at Royal Mail.


The presentation pack from the Royal Mail classic children's TV collection features all your favourite shows including The Wombles, Peppa Pig plus much more.

In this lavishly illustrated Presentation Pack, television writer Graham Kibble-White discusses the golden age of children’s TV from the 1950s to the present day, looking at a host of iconic series and including individual pen portraits of those featured on the 12 Special Stamps.

Andy Pandy
First screened in 1950, Andy Pandy co-starred with Teddy and Looby Loo. 

Ivor the Engine
Ivor the Engine worked in the ‘top left-hand corner of Wales’ from 1959. 

Dougal - The Magic Roundabout
Created by Serge Danot, this popular series made its UK debut in 1965.

Windy Miller - Camberwick Green
Broadcast from 1966, the series was narrated by Play School’s Brian Cant

Mr Benn
Mr Benn appeared in 1971, and the shopkeeper appeared ‘as if by magic’.

Great Uncle Bulgaria - The Wombles
The Wombles introduced us all to the idea of recycling way back in 1973.

Bagpuss
This ‘saggy old cloth cat’ first appeared on our Television screens in 1974.

Paddington Bear
The well-meaning bear from Darkest Peru found TV stardom in 1975.

Postman Pat
The friendly postman first appeared in 1981, together with his cat Jess.

Bob the Builder
Can he fix it? Yes he can, and he’s been doing so ever since 1998.

Peppa Pig
This lovable and cheeky little pig celebrates her 10th anniversary in 2014.

Shaun the Sheep
Following ‘A Close Shave’ in 1995, Shaun graduated to TV in 2007.

Technical Specifications
Design Interabang
Stamp format /size Square 25mm x 25mm excluding protrusions
Printer International Security Printers
Print process Gravure
Perforation 15 x 15
Phosphor All over
Gum Self-adhesive
Number per sheet 30/60 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Priority Mail Gets Amazing Endorsement from Spider-Man

Priority Mail Gets Amazing Endorsement from Spider-Man

USPS and Sony Pictures Team Up to Cross-promote Priority Mail and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

March 17, 2014 

http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_018.htm

http://www.facebook.com/uspsspacerTwitter @USPS

Sony Pictures logo

WASHINGTON — To put some Super Hero Spidey-power into its promotion of Priority Mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is teaming up with Sony Pictures for the release of the highly anticipated motion picture “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” in theaters nationwide on May 2, 2014.  

In a campaign to promote Priority Mail and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” the Postal Service and Sony Pictures are collaborating on a high-profile, multi-channel marketing campaign that begins this week and continues through the end of May.

“Our Priority Mail products share many qualities with a Super Hero of Spider-Man’s caliber, namely those of speed, agility and reliability,” said Nagisa Manabe, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at USPS.  “Like Spider-Man, our priority has always been the people we serve. We pride ourselves on our commitment to public service and delivering for our customers, and we are excited about enlisting Spider-Man to help promote our Priority Mail offerings.”

One of the centerpieces of the campaign, which includes direct mail, digital and social media elements, is a television commercial that features Spider-Man circumventing all obstacles in delivering a Priority Mail package to a special showing for fans of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” USPS linked up with Sony Pictures through their mutual media agency, Universal McCann(UM), and DNA Productions to create the television spot with renowned directors, Rich Lee and Marc Webb, director of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Viewers can watch the new USPS/Spider-Man TV spot on the Postal Service’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/uspstv.

“While we always knew about the breadth and reach of the Postal Service, it was exciting to learn about the everyday heroism of its employees,” said Dwight Caines, president, Theatrical Marketing for Sony Pictures.  “Those traits make this partnership the perfect fit for co-branding and cross-promoting ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’ We are constantly seeking creative ways to promote our films, and the Postal Service couldn’t have been a better choice.”

The campaign also parallels with the beloved Super Hero by highlighting the courageous acts of the postal workforce. One such example is Isagani Ravelo, a letter carrier in Virginia who saved a person’s life when he heard a customer in distress calling for help. He entered the home to find an elderly woman with severe head injuries resulting from a fall. He immediately performed first-aid to stop bleeding and called an acquaintance of the accident victim for assistance, as the victim requested. Last year, the Postal Service recognized 262 postal employees for heroic acts in the Postmaster General’s heroes program.

USPS mail truck with Spider-Man image

The wide-ranging promotion also includes trucks featuring Spider-Man images in major urban centers, in-movie integrated logo placement, limited-edition Spider-Man Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping Boxes, online and digital banners, Spider-Man postage from self-service kiosks, and retail signs. Inspired by Spider-Man’s comic book heritage, the campaign will feature graphic renderings as a story-telling vehicle and feature stories of ‘USPS super heroes’ – real-life Postal Service employees delivering for their customers.

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping Box with Spider-Man promotion

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Sony to relay everyday heroism in Spider-Man and the Postal Service,” continued Manabe. “Sony’s innovation and global leadership is sure to help us highlight the exciting products the Postal Service has recently brought to the shipping marketplace. We plan to continue pursuing effective marketing collaborations that highlight the great and reliable service the Postal Service offers to customers each and every day.”

In 2013, the Postal Service added to the strong momentum in its shipping business by launching major changes to its Priority Mail lineup such as improved features, improved USPS Tracking and day-specific delivery.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

USPS and Spider-Man 2

Stan Lee and Spider-Man team up with U.S. Postal Service

by  | March 20, 2014


and here's the Post Office link.