# Cartoon Sponge-Edition Mailboxes Nickelodeon Transformed USPS Mailboxes to Encourage Kids to Write By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-01-04 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usps-mailboxes References: [brandingmagazine](http://www.brandingmagazine.com/2013/12/15/spongebob-mailpants/) & [ads.nick](http://ads.nick.com/sponsors/2013/usps/) Over the holidays, there are a ton of ways for kids to reach Santa without having to pick up a writing utensil, so before Christmas, [Nickelodeon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-x-spongebob-squarepants) partnered with the [United States Postal Service](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ralph-lauren-and-usps) to transform [USPS](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/operation-santa-program) mailboxes into 'SpongeBob Mailpants' boxes. Classic blue USPS mailboxes were revamped with cartoonish decals that outfitted them with the smiling face, clothes and other features of the cartoon sea sponge. The mailboxes are meant to encourage kids to write their letters to Santa, greeting cards and letters to loved ones by hand, as well as teach them how to mail a letter. The fun mailbox campaign took place in 13 US cities and will come to a close on January 5th. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Youth Letter Writing:** Encourage children to write letters and send mail through fun and interactive means. - **Nostalgia Marketing:** Incorporate beloved characters from the past to promote brand engagement. - **Innovative Advertising Campaigns:** Transforming everyday objects into eye-catching, branded displays that promote engagement. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Entertainment:** The use of popular characters to promote letter writing could impact media and entertainment brands. - **Postal and Courier Services:** Innovative branding campaigns could disrupt traditional postal services with interactive and engaging experiences. - **Education:** Promoting the use of traditional mail and letter writing could inspire educational campaigns promoting learning through programs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Toy-Inspired Postal Service Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/operation-santa-program.md) - [Cartoon-Shaped Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spongebob-squarepants-shapes.md) - [Festive Airline Post Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/letters-to-santa-campaign.md) - [Vibrant Nautical-Themed Cartoon Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-x-spongebob-squarepants.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Apparel Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spongebob-squarepants-capsule.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Game Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spongebob-squarepants-xbox-series-x.md) - [Expansive Cartoon Lifestyle Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/official-spongebob-squarepants-collection.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freizeit.md) - [Cartoon Anniversary Soap Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nautical-nonsense.md)