Vanity License plates. Vanity phone numbers. Now, vanity zip codes. New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue made marketing history as the first store to get a vanity zip code from the United States Postal Service Office. Actually, it’s for their newly launched eighth floor shoe department. The unique zip code is 10022-SHOE. That’s right, folks.
The USPO, which was not paid, claims the vanity zip code extension is just a fun, creative marketing strategy and does not affect mail processing or delivery. The agency also says there are no present plans to allow others to get vanity zip codes. Oh yeah? Well, if they don’t affect delivery (and don’t cost anything), just add your own vanity extension. Ours will now be 10017-BLOGGER.
Quite a clever piece of marketing. Try it. Send a letter to yourself with a vanity zip code extension for your business and see if it’s delivered. Then let us know if it worked.
Brand your mail
The Postal Service does allow customized postage– put your business logo or photo on your outgoing mail to promote your brand.
Sources: Saks Press Release; Philadelphia Inquirer. USPO Press Release. (h/t AdvertisingLab)
Technorati Tags: marketing, advertising, business, real estate, branding, custom postage, vanity zip code
Really? Now there is a shocker. Looks like the USPS is flexible enough to still have a bit of fun. Never too late to resuscitate a little bit of human in and old brand.
I wonder how far they will go. Do you need to have it approved prior to sending mail?
SAKS had it approved but since it does not affect delivery maybe anyone can try it.
Now that’s something you won’t see everyday.. That sounds like fun! And weird for people who are sending mails from another country