Mail Unleashed with Rory Sutherland

Ep 10: Mail is a ‘super touchpoint’ with Andrew Tindall

Mail Unleashed with Rory Sutherland

Show Notes

What is a super touchpoint and why are they so powerful? In this episode, Rory Sutherland is joined by Senior Vice President at System1, Andrew Tindall.

As an effectiveness pro, Andrew knows that mail does not only drive sales, but it also grabs attention, builds awareness and trust, with physical impact that lives on in the home.

Together, Andrew and Rory talk about:

What makes System1 different from other market research companies How understanding behavioural science can enhance your marketing performance Stats from the Effie Worldwide database such as, “90% of campaigns using mail drive a direct sales impact within six months” What a super touchpoint is and why mail can be classed as one The importance of trust in marketing

Plus, they share why mail’s physicality can surprise and delight your customers.

00:00 Intro 00:41 Welcome to Andrew – what is the origin of System1 and what makes them different from other market research companies? 03:17 How understanding behavioural science can help marketers choose the right media 05:33 Direct mail is effective and demonstrates costly signalling 07:16 Andrew and Rory discuss why mail grabs attention and is kept, felt, and remembered 09:33 What is a Super Touchpoint? Andrew draws on research from Effie Worldwide database to highlight mail's ability to build strong brand awareness and drive sales 15:14 Why mail allows you to be creative – examples from Hiscox and The AA 16:54 The potency of the unexpected: why the physicality of mail surprises and delights 18:24 The importance of trust – what System1 is doing to measure it, and how mail can build it 22:10 Why marketers should judge success based on attentive reach, not cheap CPMs 24:30 Outro

Andrew Tindall is the Senior Vice President at System1. He is a marketing effectiveness expert, specialising in how creativity and emotion drive results across media.

He partners with top global brands and agencies to scale effectiveness insights, publish award-winning thought leadership, and deliver practical, accessible advice that helps brands make creativity work harder.

Follow Andrew. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-tindall X - https://x.com/andrewtindall_ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@andrew.tindall

Follow Rory. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorysutherland/ X - https://x.com/rorysutherland

Watch the full episode. Website - https://www.marketreach.co.uk/mail-unleashed/andrew-tindall-system1 YouTube - https://youtu.be/YqIAMN0Bs1Q

Curious about the power of mail in your marketing mix? Follow us for fresh inspiration and real-world examples that show how mail delivers impressive business results. ⬇️

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketreach-from-royal-mail/ X - https://x.com/MarketreachUK Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Marketreach-100057126832884/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@marketreachuk

More from Mail Unleashed with Rory Sutherland

Sep 3, 2026

In a world of endless scrolling and skippable content, what makes something worth holding onto?

Jul 8, 2026

What happens when Rory Sutherland is joined by Andrew Tindall (System1), Claire Sadler (British Heart Foundation) and Kate Mackie (EY) to discuss the future of marketing?

May 18, 2026

In a world where 75–80% of ad spend is digital, why is Digital Strategy Director at the7stars, Jonny Harrison, making the case for direct mail?

Mar 12, 2026

Not every impression is equal. So, what makes mail different from a digital impression?

Mar 2, 2026

How can you build trust with your customers without physical stores or a tangible product?

See all episodes →