Dr. Leonard's Inserts Mini Catalog
AmeriMark Direct?s home healthcare brand Dr. Leonard?s reached out to female apparel buyers with a recent mini catalog insert. The eight page piece was inserted into a package from plus-size women?s clothing retailer Roaman?s. The 8.38? x 5.38? book looks like the mailer?s full size catalogs, and offers its standard incentive of free shipping on any order. Merchandise featured on the front cover includes a Wristech Watch-Style Blood Pressure Monitor ($24.99), an Ultrasonic Pest Repeller ($19.99), and the Back Saver ($14.99). Items inside include Dr. Scholl?s Athletic Walking Shoes ($26.99) and Leg Cramps Ointment ($8.99). The mini-catalog does contain an order form but orders may also be placed by phone or online. The book directs buyers to a special web address at DrLeonardsAds.com.

NFB Launches Cane Giving Program
Nonprofit organization National Federation of the Blind (NFB) mailed a promotion highlighting its ?Free Canes for the Blind? initiative. While previous mailings contained freemiums such as calendars and book lights, this one is all about what the recipient can give to blind people. The program is built on the idea of facilitating independence among blind and visually-impaired individuals by sending white canes to those in need of them. Copy on the front of the package addresses this notion of independence: ?As much as you would like to, you can?t give the gift of sight?but you can give the gift of independence.? Inside, a lift note underscores the benefits of a simple white cane by providing a testimonial from a friend of NFB?s president. In addition, the promotion includes four gift tags that read ?This cane is a gift from? for donors to send along with their contribution. The ask ladder is set at $9/$18/$27/$36/$45/other. Donations can be made by mail or online at NFB.org.

The Progressive Magazine Celebrates 100 Years
The Progressive magazine?s recent eye-catching glossy yellow package celebrates its 100th anniversary. The publication promotes peace, civil rights, and independent media among its ideals. Cover creative announces ?12 issues for only $12? in bold black and red copy. Head shots of columnists Barbara Ehrenreich, Howard Zinn, and newcomer Jim Hightower are also featured. Inside, a four-page letter from editor Matthew Rothschild promotes the $1 per month subscription price as ?the lowest price I?ve ever offered you.? It highlights the columnists mentioned on the envelope and lists additional selling points, promoting the magazine?s investigative reporting, original poetry and contributing humorists. The letter closes by encouraging recipients to subscribe quickly because for ?a buck an issue. It?s the best deal around.? Subscribers who respond to the $12 cash offer by a certain date receive the special 100th Anniversary issue of the Progressive as a premium on payment.

The direct mail promotions appearing in Mail Stream are tracked and written up by ParadyszMatera, a media brokerage services company, through its MarketRelevance(tm) Promotion Library. Click here to visit their site: ParadyszMatera.com.