UK franchise network, Mail Boxes Etc., continues its annual arts collaboration, with the world’s first fully painted feature film

Throughout the autumn, Mail Boxes Etc. has a beautiful new display to show-off, promoting the critically acclaimed art-house film, Loving Vincent. Following the success of last year’s collaboration with Warner Bros. to promote STORKS, Mail Boxes Etc. is excited at the potential impact this year’s collaboration could have on local Mail Boxes Etc. stores. “Our collaboration with Warner Bros. to promote STORKS last year was a huge success!” explains Mail Boxes Etc.’s marketing manager, James Simmons. “We saw an increase in footfall into our stores, and thousands of customers entered our prize draw.”

Maria Beltran, who owns the newly opened Mail Boxes Etc. Tooting store, is excited about the positive impact this will have on her business. She realised her dream of starting her own business, and enjoying more face-to-face contact with customers, having left her previous job as an assistant financial controller earlier in the year. “Mail Boxes Etc. has more than 160 stores across the UK, and 1,600 worldwide, so it’s a well-known brand which really appealed to me,” Maria says. “By being involved with promoting Loving Vincent, Mail Boxes Etc. are clearly demonstrating the support they offer their franchisees, by fact they are prepared to think outside the proverbial mailbox, for the benefit of my local business.”

Mail Boxes Etc. specialises in worldwide parcel delivery, with particular expertise in auction logistics – collecting, packing and shipping fragile, high-value fine art, antiques and collectables.  “We think Loving Vincent is an excellent fit with our Auction Logistics brand, created specifically for customers requiring shipping services for their priceless, delicate and treasured items, often bought from auctions or sale rooms around the country,” says James. “We were thrilled when Altitude approached us about Loving Vincent and we could see the amazing opportunity it will create for our franchisees.”

Unveiling the beautifully striking Loving Vincent printed posters, proudly displayed in all 160 of the Mail Boxes Etc. stores, Maria is enthusiastic: “The highly visual nature of this campaign perfectly showcases our print capabilities.  All the printed collateral and in-store displays have been produced by Mail Boxes Etc. We have also created some beautiful A6 postcards portraying stills from the film, for customers to take away, as well as 500 limited-edition art prints which can be won in the prize draw.”

The digital campaign includes email marketing, social media channels and a dedicated microsite.  “We want to give our franchisees as many opportunities as possible to engage with customers and expand their perceptions of our brand,” continues James. “This is a new, exciting initiative which we are confident will create a lot of interest, spark conversation and allow us to promote the skills and services of Mail Boxes Etc. to both existing and new audiences.”

Loving Vincent opens in cinemas nationwide on 13 October, telling the unforgettable story of one of the world’s most famous artists, Vincent van Gogh, in the world’s first, fully painted, feature film. Van Gogh’s works were painstakingly recreated by a team of 125 painters. The beauty of this film is in the detail, as each brushstroke is animated and blended with live-action performances, transporting audiences inside Van Gogh’s work.  The film was rapturously received when it premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2017, and is released across cinemas in the UK by Altitude Film Distribution, the company who have also recently released award-winning films Moonlight (Academy Award for Best Picture 2017) and Amy (Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature).