As if we needed more evidence that people are scared of their mail,
another example has popped up from the PR ranks.
Omega Group recently mailed out its "Observations" newsletter, via snail
mail, to various contacts.
John Budd, who heads the firm, received an e-mail from one of the
rattled recipients. "Your complimentary 'Observations' mailing created
quite the stir in our offices today," it read.
It seems that the combination of the word Omega (which is Greek for "the
end"), and the fact that the address was typed on a label with an
old-fashioned typewriter, was enough to panic the recipients.
"(It) caused me to call in our security folks and have the piece carted
away for suspected anthrax contamination," the contact reported.
Of course, the missive was found to be entirely innocent. But the writer
was amused at the contents, which included a feature article entitled
"The Many Faces of Counter-Terrorism."
The e-mailer also suggested that future use of Mail Merge would be a
good idea.