There was nothing much new, according to Fundraising Success magazine, to note from election 2010. “As with every election, there were new movements and people wrestling for power, but the mail they sent, with very few exceptions, was pretty traditional.”
Questionnaires have long been used to sway public opinion and raise some money as well. Republicans got into trouble by using the word “Census” on a carrier envelope. Their package resembled the U.S. Census Bureau mailing that was dropping about the same time. Subsequent mailings were labeled “referendum,” “poll” or “survey.”
Democrats reverted to the tried and true, with the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) “Presidential Survey” package (6 X 9-inch black and white) that has been in the mail since December 2009.
As the campaign kicked into high gear, Democrats used another direct mail classic, the “Express” #10 envelope, to communicate the urgency of last-minute fundraising. Another 6 X9-inch “Expedited Delivery Pack” was mailed by the DNC that featured a plea from President Obama to a “loyal and true friend” for funds needed in the waning days before the election.
Republican Marco Rubio, successfully capturing the Florida Senate seat, mailed an “AirWeb Express” mirroring a FedEx package. While these carriers have been around for years, this 6 X 11.5-inch outer carrier unfolds into an 11 X 16.75-inch poster, which provided an effective way to demonstrate support for Rubio.
No one is doubting that mail played an important part in 2010 election results. Sadly, there wasn’t a lot of cutting-edge creative.
Craig Torstenbo
Creative Director