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Digital politics

USPS uses new technology to target voters

The USPS AR app allows users to scan a mailpiece to see virtual campaign messages.

USPS is using its popular mobile app to show political campaigns how they can use mail to communicate with voters this election year.

Candidates, strategists and others are receiving a new Postal Service mailer that encourages them to download the USPS “augmented reality” app to their mobile device.

When recipients use the app to scan the mailer, they see a message from a “candidate” who describes the benefits of using direct mail in political campaigns.

This is the same technology that allowed app users to snap photos of family and friends posing alongside Charlie Brown and the other “Peanuts” characters last year.

“We want to show candidates and campaigns how they can use the USPS AR app to create an interactive, virtual experience for voters,” said Chris Karpenko, the Postal Service’s acting executive director of brand marketing.

The app and mailer are part of the Postal Service’s broader efforts to capitalize on expected increases in Political Mail this year.

USPS also has introduced a site, DeliverTheWin.com, to educate campaigns and candidates and formed partnerships with political trade groups and publications.

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