Editor's Note: You can read about all of the 2017 promotions, not just the Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion, by visiting here.

The Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion encourages mailers to integrate direct mail with advances in mobile technology, allowing recipients to engage in innovative digital experiences triggered by their mail pieces. Eligible mailpieces must incorporate NFC technology, Video in Print (ViP), Beacon technology, “Enhanced” Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality or must have been automatically generated by the recipient’s online activities (also known as Digital to Direct Mail). The promotion started on March 1, 2017 and runs until August 31, 2017. Registration is currently open and runs until August 31, 2017.

This promotion continues to build upon the engagement strategies of past promotions to demonstrate that direct mail continues to be a relevant part of the marketing mix. It also encourages marketers to adopt and invest in technologies and innovations that enhance how consumers interact and engage with mail. New for this year is the inclusion of Virtual Reality to generate opportunities to immerse consumers in a first-hand, virtual experience. Digital to Direct Mail has also been added to this promotion to elicit a higher response from consumers who receive dynamically printed, personalized messaging. Eligible mail includes First-Class Mail presort and automation letters, cards and flats; and USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats (commercial and nonprofit).

More information and a full description of the promotion can be found by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Office at emergingtechpromo@usps.gov .