Trust the agents at MBE for your business needs
Latest film partnership showcases franchisees’ support for local professionals
In recent
years, Mail Boxes Etc. UK has earned a reputation as an enthusiastic supporter
of major movie releases, promoting the latest blockbusters through its
considerable high-street estate of over 150 stores, as well as its digital and
social channels.

To celebrate the release of Men in Black™:
International, only at cinemas, MBE are running a partnership campaign
until July. The Men in Black have always protected
the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their
biggest threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organisation. The film is
mostly set in London, but the agents’ mission takes them to a host of
international locations all over the world.
In its
associated marketing campaign, MBE harnesses the impact of the universe-saving Men
in Black agents to emphasise the services its franchisees offer to help save
busy professionals time and ensure they always make a good impression.
“Many of our
business customers think of their local MBE as a back-up team – providing the
essential services a small business needs to thrive and grow,” explains James
Simmons, MBE’s marketing manager. “It’s
no great stretch of the imagination to see our franchisees as trusted agents,
dedicated to saving the day for our business customers – no job too large or
too small, and no deadline too tight.
We’ve had a lot of fun putting this campaign together, and our
franchisees are keen to get involved.”
The emphasis
is on ‘smarter’ print and ‘universal’ parcel delivery, punning on the film’s
themes to promote two of MBE’s key services.
As well as striking window and store displays, there’s a prize draw
competition to win a family holiday to exotic Marrakesh – one of the locations
where the film is set. The prize
includes flights, tours and dinner in one of the city’s best restaurants. Entry requires a purchase, so footfall is set
to increase.

Once inside
the stores, customers will be wowed with a range of promotional items that
showcase MBE’s print and international parcel delivery capabilities to
perfection, including life-size standees of the main characters, Agent H and
Agent M. Of course, they’re resplendent
in their classic black suits and hero-defining shades.
No promotion would be complete without giveaways,
and the Men in Black™: International, only at cinemas, campaign
presents the perfect opportunity for some beautifully printed goodies,
including a ‘mission dossier’ A5 notebook with 450gsm, soft-touch laminated and
Scodix digital embossed covers, and an A3 desk jotter which works as well in the
office as at home.
Meanwhile, the in-store ‘agents’ themselves haven’t
been left out. Franchisees have premium
quality Men In Black™: International/MBE branded business cards
that will help them get noticed at networking events, as well as demonstrating
just how effective a great business card can be.

“I love these giveaways,” says James Simmons. “Business stationery need not be boring. Our colour-saturated black ink creates a
depth and richness on both the notebook and the business cards that exemplifies
MBE’s innovative approach to design as well as our premium quality print.”
At MBE Nottingham, Michael Allen and his colleagues
have jumped right into the spirit of Men in Black™: International,
donning their shades and posing with the life-size standees. “We really enjoyed having a bit of fun with
the promotional kit when it arrived,” he says.

The store is in the city’s business district, and
the team is making sure that all customers have the opportunity to enter the
prize draw – whether they are purchasing in-store, online or via monthly
account. “It’s a great talking point with customers. The giveaways are great quality – people love
the notebooks – and unsurprisingly we’re getting a lot of interest in the trip
to Marrakesh.”
Customers can enter the prize draw online at mbe.co.uk/MIB.
Terms and conditions apply.