Description:

This set of collectible phone cards and accompanying promotional materials highlights a clever advertising campaign for Wisconsin Cheese, seamlessly blending the dairy industry’s trademarks with telecommunications through a unique phone card giveaway. The primary phone card features a striking design, with a vivid "Hello Wisconsin" greeting displayed in large, gradient yellow and red text that conveys warmth and friendliness. Beneath this welcoming message, the phrase "Free Long Distance" boldly emphasizes the card’s main benefit. The background transitions from a soft light blue at the top to a deeper teal near the bottom, creating a clean, crisp appearance that evokes Wisconsin’s rich dairy heritage alongside modern communication technology. A small yet distinctive graphic of a vintage rotary telephone on wheels adds a playful touch, directly linking the card’s promotional theme to its function as a 30-minute long-distance calling card.

The back of the accompanying letter provides detailed information about the promotional sweepstakes. It is addressed to an “Instant Winner” selected for the “Hello Wisconsin” Call & Win Sweepstakes. The letter explicitly thanks the recipient for purchasing Wisconsin cheese, emphasizing the connection between supporting local dairy farmers and this innovative marketing effort. It explains that the enclosed phone card is valued at $10 and offers 30 minutes of free domestic long-distance calling—a clever promotional tactic that ties Wisconsin’s renowned cheese industry to communication services. The letter also highlights local pride, noting that Wisconsin cheese is backed by generations of cheesemakers, reinforcing the campaign’s roots in tradition and quality.

Further, the document outlines procedural details, including instructions on how to activate and use the phone card. The card features a silver coating that must be scratched to reveal a calling code, aligning with telecommunications practices of the mid-1990s. Signed by Vicky Jones, Director of Marketing for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the letter lends an official, corporate tone to the promotion. It encourages consumer engagement by urging recipients to look for the Wisconsin label when purchasing cheese, strategically fostering brand loyalty.

Finally, the bottom of the letter includes corporate logos and disclaimers, confirming the campaign’s official status. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is clearly identified as the promoting entity, while a note clarifies that telecommunication services are provided by a separate company, ACMI, to avoid conflicts of interest. This comprehensive, visually cohesive set of phone cards and promotional materials not only celebrates Wisconsin’s iconic cheese industry but also innovatively uses phone cards as a medium for advertising. The horizontal layout, combined with engaging graphics and clear text, effectively marries Wisconsin’s proud dairy heritage with the excitement of long-distance telephone connectivity from the mid-1990s.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.