Next year’s postal savings are already queuing up, with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approving the “promotions and incentives” calendar for 2017. Many of the promotions are variations on previous years, but there are two notable additions for next year. Let’s review what’s coming back, and what’s new for next year.

Variations on old promotions

Earned Value Reply Mail Promotion

Just like previous years, this promotion offers a credit for Business Reply Mail and Courtesy Reply Mail pieces. This year the promotion will be going for a full six months, and the credit for each piece will be 5 cents, up from this year. This promotion is a no-brainer for senders of BRM and CRM – no design or production changes will be required to get a nickel refund for each returned piece.

Tactile, Sensory and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion

This promotion was new in 2016, and offers discounts for some “old-tech” mail piece design. They’ll be redefining some of the requirements this year, including design approval in advance. It will continue to offer an upfront 2% postage discount.

Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion

For those on the cutting edge, this promotion will be available to two new technologies in addition to those available last year: virtual reality and programmatic retargeting. Participants can qualify for an upfront 2% postage discount.

Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion

First-Class mailers can get a 2% postage discount by adding 4-color press and personalization to a marketing or educational message on bills and statements. This promotion will be available for 6 months in 2017.

Mobile Shopping Promotion

This promotion has been the most popular each year, and is back in 2017 to promote more mobile shopping. Participants can qualify for an upfront 2% postage discount.

New for 2017

Direct Mail Starter Promotion

Despite its name, any and all mailers can qualify for the Direct Mail Starter program. Participants get a hefty 5% postage discount for their first 10,000 pieces of Standard Mail. This is a nice promotion for Mail Service Providers as the eligibility is by Mail Owner – each of your customers can qualify!

Third Ounce Free

Not technically a promotion, but at the National Postal Forum this year, Postmaster General Megan Brennan indicated that with the January price change, they will be extending the “second ounce free” for First-Class letters to the third ounce as well. This gives First-Class mailers additional leeway to include marketing and other materials along with the invoice or statement.

The price change for 2017 hasn’t been announced yet, but it will be in line with the Consumer Price Index, which is currently around 0.68%. It’s likely that the January price change will be about one percent average per mail class. After the days of exigency, a small bump will be manageable for most mailers.

What do you think about the promotions for 2017, and which ones are you looking forward to?