Mail Call Newsletter 002

YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

MAI L CAL L - ‘W HAT W E DO , HOW W E DO IT , W HO G ET S I T AND W HO CAN

G I VE I T� � . . . ’

The company name “Mail Call” is drawn from the military practice of the same name where soldiers assemble to receive mail from a designated person, who will call each solder’s name in turn to collect

Why Mail Call? Mail Call was established in May 2009

by 4 ex-military colleagues who were

on looking for an online company that

could package items that they wanted

to send to serving friends and relatives

working overseas on operational and

non-operational military deployments.

Having all served on operational tours

between 1990 and 2002 the 4 friends

knew the importance of building a

company that would work closely with

the MOD and in particularly the

British Forces Post Office (BFPO) to

ensure that packages were being

delivered with no compromise to the

supply lines that move essential

items such as rations, ammunitions

and personnel.

From conception through to launch

in September 2009 Mail Call held

numerous meetings with the

Commanding Officers BFPO HQ at

RAF Northolt to show complete

transparency and willingness to

tailor the business in such a way that

it fitted with the MOD and BFPO

guidelines and conditions for

operation as well as delivery to

which we believe we are the only

company that has done so to this

extent.

RESEARCH Mail Call started their research buy utilising the global social network called Facebook

(Group name; mailcall.co.uk), this enabled us to reach a large audience relatively quickly with

concept ideas, design work and company information, this soon became a 2 way portal with those

still serving and those who had served providing ideas for what is needed or required whilst serving

away from home and although some of the items suggested may be available locally it was the

morale boost and personal lift the receiving gave that made the big difference.

Our Company Logo spells ‘Mail Call’ in Morse

Code which until recently was a primary means

of communicating over long distances within the

British Military

www.mailcall.co.uk Tel: 01386 849 266

YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

‘No Un-solicited Mail!’ In November 2009 the MOD put out

a cry to the general public to not send

un-solicited mail to the troops on

operational duties in Afghanistan as

this causes delay to personal mail

along with the risk of having to move

care packages to un-named members

of the Armed Forces.

Mail Call fully supports these state-

ments and can confirm they do

correctly name and address every

package that they handle either on

behalf of loved ones or those serving

wishing to receive our ‘Gifted boxes’

Mail Call talks directly with those

serving members of our Armed

Forces and explains that if they were

to register with us then this will

enable them to receive ‘Gifted boxes’

that have been sent by someone they

do not know - Mail Call offers a

personal service for the donor by

enabling them to include a personal

message with their ‘Gifted box’ as

well as relaying any reply received by

that member of the Armed Forces

who receives their ‘Gifted box’ - Not

every member of the Armed Forces

has family or friends who can send

them mail and that is where Mail Call

fills the gap on their behalf.

Traceability and Security Each order received is instantly given a unique Order number and is assigned a Security Seal tag and

number that enables us to track the order from receipt to dispatch and if need be traced direct to the

military personnel for whom it is intended. When delivered to the BFPO at RAF Northolt each and

every package is signed for and although it is then the responsibility of the BFPO to deliver to all

named personnel Mail Call is able to trace its delivery by the unique identifiers with the British

Forces Post Office.

From Private Smith in Afghanistan to Petty Officer Jones on HMS Invincible in the Indian Ocean to Leading Aircraftman McTavish on duty on the Falkland Islands - Mail Call can reach them anywhere

Mail Call delivers direct to the British Forces Post

Office (BFPO) twice weekly and coordinates all

deliveries with Commercial Receipts to ensure an

unhampered handover and delivery.


YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

W HO G ET S I T?

The Mail Call service is primarily set up for those members of our Armed Forces serving overseas, however, if they are based in the UK or even a member of the public in the UK or elsewhere would like to purchase for themselves or as a gift then Mail Call is only too happy

to accommodate

“Fate of soldiers in the public heart fluctuates -

sometimes they are villains and sometimes they are heroes”

Where we’ve shipped to date..

• 27 Squadron - RAF Regiment

• 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment

• HQ ISAF - Afghanistan

• Royal Military Police - 1orthern Ireland

• Royal Signals - Worldwide

• 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

• 3rd Battalion The Rifles

• 1st Regiment - Royal Horse Artillery

• Household Cavalry Regiment

• 857 1aval Air Squadron

• Helmand Signal Squadron

• 28 Engineer Regiment

• 104 Battalion REME

• 12 Regiment Royal Artillery

• 170 Pioneer Squadron

Understandably the majority of orders have been

placed and sent to units currently serving in

Afghanistan and we are sure this trend will

continue however there are other locations that

are classified as operational that we also send to

such as -

• The Falkland Islands

• Naval vessels - Worldwide

• Iraq

• Kosovo

• Bosnia

• Oman

• Cyprus

If personnel register from these areas we will

deliver ‘Gifted boxes’ but as it stands

Afghanistan receives the most interest.

Other deployment areas such as Germany and

Northern Ireland will only become inclusive for

large business and/or corporate sponsored boxes


YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

W HAT DO ES T H I S MEAN T O ME?

Mail Call is setup to the benefit of everyone so whether you are serving, have a friend or family member serving or have no connection to today’s military but want to show your support we have a

service for you

Serving away from home on operations or roulement tours can be highly

stressful and lonely times - even more so if you don't hear from the outside

world for some time.

Mail Call enables those serving to register their details to receive ‘Gifted

boxes’ from the general public and of course they can even use our online shop

for themselves to purchase the latest DVD, a favourite magazine or games

console to really take their mind away from reality for a short time.

Friends and family members can take the

stress out of finding the wanted or much

needed items to send to their loved ones and

can be assured that all items meet the

air-freight worthiness and weight restriction

rules - if the weight of those chosen items is

exceeded then Mail Call will simply make up

a new package to ensure swift and

unhampered delivery.

The public recognises that the military deserve its

support in whatever form they can give and Mail

Call provides the catalyst for that to happen.

Mail Call provides a personal service for two

groups of people who don't have any connection -

the general public who wish to show their support

by sending a gift box as a morale boost and the

members of the Armed Forces who have registered

with us wishing to receive these generous gift

boxes.

Mail Call enables the giving public to send a gift

box of their choice to the military service of their

choice be it Army, Navy or RAF they to can

provide a personalised message to accompany the

box or if they really wish include their own letter or

card to accompany the parcel - Mail Call then

packages this together, addresses the package and

delivers direct to the RAF Northolt for onward

delivery.

Mail Call also includes a personal letter explaining

the service to the receiving member of the Armed

Forces and requests that if they have the free time to

reply to the sender for which Mail Call will pass on

directly.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it

- Silent gratitude is no use to anyone”


The members of the British Armed Forces are without a doubt some of the most loyal customers a

company or brand could possibly wish for and Mail Call ltd can help you reach that customer base

when they need a reminder of home in some of the most hostile places on earth making your brand

or product a loyal, supportive and reliable choice that these customers, their friends and families

want to be associated with.

As we are sure you are aware the power of good marketing opens endless selling opportunities and

with the projected client base we propose this marketing campaign is a must to any brand wishing

to reach new and loyal clients.

As a company who would wish to become involved in this unique marketing opportunity Mail Call are delighted to offer the

following information and opportunities available by your sponsor of a Mail Call gift box.

WHY YOUR BUSINESS SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH MAIL CALL LTD?

Mail call ltd's projected target customer market 2009/2010)

• Over 25,000 British troops deploy to Operational areas each year on 6 month

tours

• 87% (163,000) of the Armed Forces are now permanently stationed (excluding

dependants) in the United Kingdom

• 35,000 Territorial Army personnel work alongside the regular armed forces

whilst retaining their civilian careers in the UK

• 85,000 MOD civil servants work with the regular and territorial armed forces

in the UK

• There is currently a 130,000 strong cadet force with ties to the armed forces

aged 12 - 18 years old along with 25,000 supporting adults.

• Friends, Families and the general public supporting serving members of the

Armed Forces, no figures can be projected due to the enormity of this support.

Target market - Posted UK & overseas Servicemen & Women

Currently, figures show there are approx. 25,000 Overseas and 163,000 UK serving personnel (not including 25,000 operational

figures); we can help your company to reach this market through both our products and distribution, keeping your companies profile

high within a reliable cash rich market.

YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

MARKET I NG YO UR BRAND I N SO ME O F T HE MO ST HO STI L E ENVI RONMENT S T O T HE UK ’S MO ST L O YAL CUSTO MERS


What can Mail Call Ltd do for you?

Mail Call are delighted to offer the following opportunities available by your sponsoring of a Mail Call gift box:

• Enable your company via Mail Call ltd to reach a relatively untouched market through our direct global marketing venture -

possible client base of over 330, 000 new customers.

• A branded Mail Call Gift box featuring your companies' logo, Marketing Literature or simply a message of goodwill can

also be included within each box.

• Safe and secure delivery of the gift box containing your

brands information and product details donated by your com-

pany to a soldier, sailor, airman or women currently serving

overseas.

• 10% of all profits made by Mail Call Ltd will go to 2

deserving armed forces charities that support and look after

serving and served members of the armed forces

• Your company logo published on our website high-

lighted as a sponsoring company ensuring continuation of

product promotion and awareness.

• Mail Call ltd's aim will also be to market your brand to

coincide with troops returning home so we can ensure your

brand or product is fresh in their minds and one they want to

talk about, thus exposing your company through the power of

advertising to a fresh and open ended target market for your

brand.

With over 330,000 employees in the Ministry of Defence we are confident that we can make your brand our customer's number

one choice and with contracts in place with leading distributors and suppliers, the British Forces Post Office and UK hauliers

we can reach any military location on earth - Land, Sea or Air

----------------------------------------------------------

If you're a company or organisation, regardless of size, that would like to get

involved and experience marketing that not only shows support to British

troops but also reaches a customer that is brand hungry then get in touch

now to discuss our marketing opportunities.

YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002


YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

W HO ’S BEEN T AL KI NG?

“Advertising is the greatest art form of the twentieth century”

Mail Call has successfully since launch spread the word

rapidly with regards to its aim of showing support to our Armed

Forces serving overseas. Due to the unique, professional and

personal service given we have had overwhelming interest about

our story as well as

about those who also

support the troops by

using our service -

YOU!


YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

W HO ’S BEEN L I ST ENI NG

Over the past couple of months we have met some extremely nice and generous people that have shown us support by helping to get the word out about Mail Call, also by going that extra mile to give to members of our Armed Services to whom they have no connection with other then admiration and support - here we say “thank you” to the groups but that also extends to every single person who has

been in contact, helped or given

Kirkby Monahan Publicity

BBC Radio4 - Broadcasting House

Evesham Journal

Yourindies.com

Encription.co.uk

Federation of Small Businesses

Evesham Lions

Sandra Nicholson - Backpass Magazine

Army Cadet Force - West Midlands

First Tactical - Quality Military Kit Suppliers

Best of Evesham - Business Support

Royal Signals Association

Lickey End First School

West Midlands Ambulance Service

South West Military Vehicle Trust - Ken Barclay

Neil Bucknell

Cradley Liberal Club

Raider Magazine - Military Interest

RAF Families Federation

Navy News Magazine

Envoy - RAF Magazine

“W HERE T HERE I S CHARI T Y AND W ISDO M T HERE I S NEIT HER F EAR NO R IGNO RANCE”

Mail Call is not only committed to showing its support to the British Armed Forces through providing a gift box service that does not

hamper operations or impacts on the way the Military carries out its business but we are also committed to donating 10% of our net

profits to the Military charities “Help for Heroes” and “SSAFA” so that they can provide continued support to those that need it.


YEAR 2009 ISSUE 002

CHRI ST MAS G REET I NG S T O AL L

A gift package of support to boost morale is not just for Christmas and neither is Mail Call. We are here 365 days a year providing a service that is not only needed by our troops but also by the UK

public

F O R DELI VERI ES T O AF GHANI ST AN PL EASE PL ACE O RDERS BY 1 6 T H DECEMBER T O ENSURE DELI VERY

Thank you on behalf of Mail Call and those who receive your kind gifts of support


Documents

Mail Call Newsletter 002