With the growth of digital advertising and marketing automation, it's never been easier for brands to get their message in front of their prospects or customers.

But with the average person receiving 90 emails per day and a recent study suggesting that we see over 5,000 marketing messages per day, it's no surprise that brands are now exploring alternative ways to a personal touch to their marketing and customer experience.

In 2013, direct mail specialist Oli Luke decided to help brands put a smile on their prospects and customers faces, by launching the UK's first genuinely handwritten mailing house, called Scribble Mail.

The aim was to help brands add a personal heartfelt touch to their marketing communications, customer retention and follow-up, by sending genuinely handwritten cards, letters and envelopes.

Multiple prestigious brands across banking, retail and travel have since adopted the handwritten approach, sending unique handwritten thank you cards, follow-up letters and highly personalised mailings, which has generated them an increase in customer lifetime value.

Luke says, "There is a big resurgence with handwritten direct mail as it's allowing large brands to add a highly personal touch, whether it's by sending a handwritten thank you card after a transaction or for lead-generation purposes. As marketing is becoming more automated, more digitalised and a personal touch is becoming increasingly rare, we're helping brands to delight their customers and deliver experience-based marketing, all for just a few pound."

Luke is a leading direct mail specialist and consultant. He's the founder of the UK's largest handwritten mailing house and thousands of businesses throughout the UK and the US are subscribed to his daily email newsletter where he shares the latest direct mail tricks, tips and strategies.