Publishers Clearinghouse Mailer Gets Urgent

RATE THIS EXAMPLE FROM "BENEFICIAL" TO "HARMFUL"

BENEFICIAL HARMFUL

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Publishers Clearinghouse Mailer Gets Urgent

Background Information
My mother received this large envelope in the mail from Publishers Clearinghouse.
Technique Used
Activate Emotion
This is propaganda because
The envelope makes the content seem important. It is likely to create feelings of urgency (and possibly excitement or even dread) The design mimics that of a Federal Express envelope and perhaps creates authority that compel action.

Comments

  1. user-avatar
    lnk84
    Thu, 04/23/2015 - 23:17
    lnk84
    Packages like this can be very misleading, however I see more and more companies using these kinds of mailers to grab your attention making you think you have won something or qualify. I will say they typically look fake at first site, but some still may fall for it.
  1. user-avatar
    CK
    Fri, 04/24/2015 - 00:26
    CK
    Although what is important to some is not to others this propaganda serves it immediate function well.
  1. user-avatar
    Richardstephens3
    Wed, 11/18/2015 - 02:04
    Richardstephens3
    This type of package labeling reminds me of the "boy who cried wolf" Because labeling unimportant mail as urgen will diminish the reputation of PCH. As mail receivers, getting a flood of junk mail that is labeled urgent will cause us to ignore urgent labels in the future.
  1. user-avatar
    Sarah Manuel
    Sat, 11/21/2015 - 09:46
    Sarah Manuel
    This definitely makes one feel urgency, and at the same time it would also create some doubt in me if I were to receive a package that imitates Fedex, however I do believe it does seem helpful at the same time.
  1. user-avatar
    Julius Adewumi
    Sun, 11/22/2015 - 03:25
    Julius Adewumi
    The interpretation is harmful because it used deceptive tactics to raise the emotion of the receiver of the package. Anything done with deceitful intent is harmful.
  1. user-avatar
    Lisa Ranieri
    Sun, 04/24/2016 - 04:04
    Lisa Ranieri
    I am neutral on this. I wouldn't think twice about it, and would throw it away if I wasn't expecting mail from anyone.
  1. user-avatar
    kmcmaho
    Sun, 04/24/2016 - 12:25
    kmcmaho
    The use of the FedEx style packaging does invoke an emotion of urgency. The deception could be harmful to those who are also sucked in by the Ethiopian prince deals too. It also reminds me of the "You've won a free cruise" gimmicks.
  1. user-avatar
    Megan
    Sun, 11/12/2017 - 00:19
    Megan
    How can this be seen as beneficial? How is the sender supposed to be sure that what is inside is safe? Immediate action on things can be a good thing, yet caution also needs to be exuded.
    I was in the middle percentage.
  1. user-avatar
    Stephanie Lopez
    Tue, 01/23/2018 - 09:36
    Stephanie Lopez
    For this its a little scary because its just the envelope and your not sure if its good news or bad news so they are confusing you with that
  1. user-avatar
    Epping
    Thu, 03/29/2018 - 19:31
    Epping
    This plays on people and their emotions because they think it actually urgent but it's just an add inside
  1. user-avatar
    jh
    Thu, 03/29/2018 - 22:18
    jh
    This article just shows that the company wants you to think you are important but to them you are just a number. Even Though it was probably shipped in a decent time.
  1. user-avatar
    Inque
    Wed, 04/25/2018 - 00:22
    Inque
    Nice idea for advertising material. The pen ink is red but the letters are not too big nor intrusive, simply inviting a reader to take a closer look and read what does it say. The color of red nicely matches the whole red-coloured structure of information emphasized. Handwriting by-hand implies intimate, personal content, as if it's from a friend or a family member.

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