Not enough, judging by the batch of posted and door-dropped communications I received recently.

NHS Blood and Transplant

OK, let’s get this out of the way first, because I’m feeling guilty. I’m due to give blood and the guys have sent me several reminders by mail and text. Now this postcard arrives. On the front, some people are helping the driver of an ambulance give his vehicle a push. (Is the NHS now on petrol rationing?!) The line is: ‘Some things are too important to ignore.’ I agree. I know. That’s why I’ve given blood dozens of times.  Therefore this communication is missing the mark. Another simple text would have been better and cheaper.

Transport for London (TfL) and Barclays Cycle Superhighway

I’m not a two-wheel person at all. But this leaflet from TfL is still relevant because I know people who are. As a straightforward info piece, it’s OK. But the offer, ‘Win a bike worth £500 and a home storage system’, is buried. And the map could have been bigger and therefore clearer. Overall, the 8-page roll-fold hasn’t been loved enough.

Halifax

Somewhere in the Bank of Scotland group, someone has got my data (perhaps from a dormant credit card). Apparently this gives them permission to flog me stuff, hence this hideous mailing.  ‘At Halifax we just want to help our customers in any way we can.’ Really? Well, I’m NOT a Halifax customer, I already have decent car insurance, and I don’t see an ugly letter and flyer in a plain C5 envelope as ‘help’. So it’s straight to the shredder.

Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust

Having given money to this charity in the past, it’s fair enough that they keep in touch. And as I hadn't heard about Crusaid’s merger with the Terrence Higgins Trust, this was genuine news to me. It’s a copy-led piece, so it’s a relief that the writer treats the subject with intelligence and restraint while respectfully asking for my continued support. My only criticism is that the case study could have been backed up with some compelling facts and figures on the scale of the problems facing people living in poverty with HIV and AIDS.

Young’s Rose & Crown Hotel

This is a strange one – an addressed but un-personalised mailer from a pub/hotel which is 10 minutes’ walk from my flat. Young’s has sent me a few of these recently, each featuring a different hostelry. The flyer for the Rose & Crown is not very attractive. And the copy assumes that I don’t know Wimbledon, let alone the pub. Odd. If Young’s believes in local marketing, it’ll have to get cuter than this. Maybe a planning and creative session over a few pints would help!

My recent mail was a typically mixed bag. And certainly there was nothing to trouble the awards juries. I’m still waiting for a communication with Regency period craft, flair and excitement!