For the benefit of our non-UK readers, or for younger UK readers who do everything online, the Royal Mail is the national postal delivery service for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Once upon a time this was a government department, but like most former nationalised British industries - the Royal Mail was eventually privatised by Thatcher in the 80s, and the resulting company has lurched from crisis to strike and back to crisis ever since. 

Famously backward looking and resistant to change, the Royal Mail has gone all 21st century and released it's first intelligent stamp, (all it needs now is some intelligent postman!).

In a neat touch, the new intelligent stamps will activate unique digital content when viewed using a iPhone or Android device. 

Given the wealth of digital possibilities available to Royal Mail and it's intelligent stamp, you have to wonder why they've settle for a video clip of Bernard Cribbins. Yes, he might be a national treasure and well loved actor, but given that most smartphone owners are under 50, you'd think they would have come up with some slightly punchier content? 

On the plus side, my having a dig at Royal Mail provides a good opportunity to promote this rather brilliant case study on Cream featuring Japan, Postcards and Kit-Kats.