Hello!
With our rapidly growing and flexible content, we're thinking of clever ways to get more exposure.  Here's an idea that could be effective and at the same time support a good cause  
 
Please provide us your feedback/thoughts on this promotion by this Friday, May 4th.
 
For a limited time, GCUniverse and participating artists would offer a selection of "Support our Troops" cards at below cost pricing.  These cards would be priced at 50 cents plus postage, $2 below regular price.  Artists and GCUniverse would NOT make any money on these cards.  We would ship the cards to an organization that distributes to individuals in Iraq in need of a "mail call".
 
Here are some more details:
 
- You would design cards for this promotion and put them in Collections >>Support our Troops category
- You would NOT earn any fees on cards in this category for a limited time, perhaps 5/09/07 - 7/01/07
- We would issue a press release about this promotion listing participating artists
 
Please note that your participation or lack of participation in this program by no means would define your support or opposition of the war in Iraq.  We all support the men and women risking their lives on a daily basis.  These cards can be a small token to extend positive and encouraging messages to the troops.
 
We look forward to your feedback.    Here are some specific questions:
 
1. Do you like this idea and think we should move forward with it?
2. Would you create cards for this promotion/category?    If yes, how many cards?
3. We would need to spread the word.  Would you tell your network of friends & family about this promotion?
 
As always, thank you for your opinions!
Mindy

It sounds good to me too..  
I'm running out of town for personal issues and will most likely not be back before late friday.
How soon are you requesting we create the card designs?

I think it’s a great idea. Right now, I think they could use a morale booster...and it’s a way for us to do something positive, whether or not we subscribe to the politics. I would be willing to submit a few designs for the effort. I have a Mother’s Day card targeted to families with a "military mom".

You know, I've been thinking a little more about the troops campaign.  Could greeting card universe donate some cards for the soldiers to send home and write it off as a charitable donation?  I imagine for quite a few of the soldiers, having the opportunity to send a card home would be very appreciated.

Great idea - I would like to participate in this too.
 
Jen
www.gcuniverse.com/jencosgrove

Hi again - You asked some specific questions that I neglected to answer in my first reply, so here goes:
 
Ques. 2 - "how many cards?" >> I have created 3 cards for this card category and would like to create at least 2 more.  
 
Ques 3. "We would need to spread the word.  Would you tell your network of friends & family about this promotion?" >> Yes, definitely. I would also like to send a brief press release to our local news outlets -- something along the lines of "Local Artist Joins International Greeting Card Campaign to Support Troops." I live near some military installations, so I think there's a good chance it would get picked up.  
 
I'd be happy to run the text by GCU staff, of course, to make sure the release accurately describes the promotion and sends the right message. I wouldn't send it until you said the text and timing were right. Or if you all would like to provide us with a basic PR that we could personalize with our names and a quote or something, that would be fine with me, too.
 
Great idea - look forward to helping make it successful!
 
Jen
www.gcuniverse.com/jencosgrove
 
 

Good news, the Support our Troops promotion is a go!  Thank you for your quick, supportive and creative responses.  Many of you have already created inspiring cards for this effort, great job!
 
More good news, we will mail the completed cards from this promotion to Operation USO Care Package (http://www.usocares.org/) to be included in their care packages.
 
Here's the plan:
1. Create and add your cards to the Support our Troops category.  To be mentioned in promotional materials add your cards by 5/20/07.
 
2. If you have cards in this category and DO NOT want to participate, remove them from the Support our Troops category and instead use Collections >>Patriotic
 
3. Tentatively the promotion will run for 3 months, 5/21/07 - 8/21/07  
 
4. We will provide you with some promotional deliverables to help you spread the word
 
This is an exciting venture with great teamwork that should bring smiles to many  
 
Thanks so much for your participation!
Mindy

Hi,
We're on the verge of rolling this program out.  Still pinning down some of the details.  We're talking w/ some potential sponsors to possibly offer the cards for free vs 50 cents.
 
Yes, we will forward the completed cards to Operation USO Care Package.  They will include them into the care packages that they send out.  
 
Hope that answers your q's.
Mindy