Precision Marketing articles from April 2003

Precision Marketing archives from April 2003

Direct spend soars in Royal Mail review.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Royal Mail is to expand its direct marketing as part of the [pounds sterling]50m account review, which will see its agency roster slashed from 30 to four. Joshua, Proximity, Ogilvy-One, and M&C Saatchi-owned Lida are on the final...

Information Commissioner demands stronger powers.(Richard Thomas)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Information Commissioner Richard Thomas is calling on the direct marketing industry to back his quest for stronger powers to clamp down on cowboy operators who are prompting 'tens of thousands of complaints'. Thomas, who was speaking at...

DMA 'on collision course' with IDM.(Direct Marketing Association, Institute of Direct Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The DMA (UK) is on a potential collision course with the IDM after launching a new training initiative for senior managers to "fill a gap" in the training spectrum. The trade body is linking with Oxford Brookes University to set up a...

Bertelsmann challenges Oprah with global book club assault.(DirectGroup Bertelsmann to launch International Book of the Month)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Book club giant DirectGroup Bertelsmann is to take on Oprah Winfrey with the first global marketing initiative to promote the launch of its International Book of the Month to 28 million club members. The book chosen to kick off the scheme,...

Thomas warns industry -- 'don't abuse registers'. (News).(Information Commissioner Richard Thomas)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Information Commissioner has warned that access to all public registers could soon be blocked if companies persist in using the data for marketing purposes. Richard Thomas' salvo follows a 'parting shot' by his predecessor, Elizabeth...

Telemarketers face heavy fines for 'dead calls'. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Government is planning a major crackdown on power diallers, which could lead to heavy fines for companies who persistently inundate consumers with 'dead calls'. The proposal is part of the new Communications Bill, which has just been...

DMA attacks business TPS plan. (News).(Direct Marketing Association, Telephone Preference Service)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The DMA (UK) has hit out at plans to introduce a Telephone Preference Service (TPS) for business, branding the scheme unworkable. The proposals form part of the European Privacy & Electronic Communications Directive, outlined at the event...

Palm broadens drive to women to boost flagging sales. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Palm is launching its most targeted campaign to date in a bid to win over new customers and build on its database for future marketing activity. The initiative represents a change in strategy for the US company, which has previously relied...

Higgins Trust hires Target as debut agency. (News).(Terrence Higgins Trust )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the UK's largest HIV and Aids charity, has appointed its first full-service direct marketing agency, signalling its commitment to developing a stronger direct capacity. THT plans to raise awareness of its...

Selfridges to boost direct activity with storecard blitz. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Selfridges is poised to embark on an aggressive push to its 100,000 storecard holders as part of plans to boost its knowledge of its customer base. The move will follow a direct marketing campaign for its Body Craze event in May. The...

Watson venture targets financial services sector. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Direct Financial Advisory Services (DFAS) is encouraging brands to tap into a new financial services concept and exploit their databases to offer insurance and other financial products to consumers. Several brand owners have already signed...

Beefeater set to exploit data for new push. (News).(Beefeater chain will launch database marketing strategy)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Beefeater chain is developing its first database marketing strategy, after relying solely on seasonal sales promotions, to attract customers. The Whitbread-owned chain, which has 201 UK outlets, is pooling data from its Loyalty Clubs...

More Th>n launches twin marketing attack. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Royal & SunAlliance insurance specialist More Th>n is bolstering its DRTV activity as part of a [pound sterling]16m below-the-line push to boost customer acquisitions. The DRTV activity, which is due to roll out next week, comprises four...

South Africa puts deals at heart of tourism push. (News).(South African Tourism launches marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... South African Tourism is launching its largest campaign to date to offer specific deals, marking a change in strategy from previous generic marketing campaigns, in an attempt to expand its marketing database. The highly targeted integrated...

BBC teams up for CRM launch. (News).(British Broadcasting Corporation Ltd., Haymarket Group Ltd. form joint venture to develop e-customer relationship management program)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The BBC and publisher Haymarket are setting up an e-mail marketing joint venture to develop an e-customer relationship management (e-CRM) programme over the next three years. The company, BBC Hay-market, wants to boost ticket sales prior to...

Fortnum & Mason set for Easter online drive. (News).(retailer is promoting Easter gift range, online store through e-mail campaign)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Upmarket London department store Fortnum & Mason is embarking on. an Easter e-mail campaign to raise awareness of its online store and pave the way for future e-mail activity. The initiative, devised by FFwd, aims to boost awareness of the...

Blue Sky draws up shortlist for account. (News).(Blue Sky Holidays Direct is reviewing its direct marketing account)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Thomas Cook's direct arm, Blue Sky, is reviewing its account and has reached the shortlist stage of pitches. Blue Sky was launched last June with 5 million inserts, door drops and mailings and DRTV ads. The company refused to comment on what...

Kettle appoints Liquorice to double its reach. (News).(Kettle Foods Ltd. aims to double its household penetration)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Premium snack company Kettle Foods plans to double its household penetration to 20 per cent by 2007, following the decision to develop its relationsbip marketing. Liquorice has won the brief after a 12-way pitch. Kettle plans to boost its...

Soup rebrands as The Ladders Agency. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Integrated response agency Soup, formally RP&F, is to be renamed The Ladders Agency. Soup was relaunched in 2001 after merging with CKBT. Its marketing strategies will remain the same. Soup's clients include Rizla, Procter & Gamble and Six...

Flytxt targets female filmgoers for UIP. (News).(United International Pictures launches marketing campaign for 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days')(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... United International Pictures (UIP) is launching a mobile marketing campaign devised by Flytxt to promote its film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. The initiative encourages female cinemagoersto text to a number displayed on promotional posters....

RSPCA draws on heritage for mailings regig. (News).(Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launches new direct mail packs)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The RSPCA is revamping its donor mailings with a renewed focus on accessing cash donations from older supporters by emphasising the charity's long history of caring for animals. The mailing features a historical leaflet detailing the...

Orient Express eyes jet-set for top-tier passenger drive. (News).(Venice Simplon Orient Express Ltd. launches direct marketing campaign)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is launching a highly targeted direct marketing campaign to promote its new luxury private jet service to a top tier of past passengers. The 'Take luxury travel to new heights' mailing, which offers private...

House of Bath plans debut e-mail campaign. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Specialist mail order company House of Bath is launching its first e-mail campaign in an effort to increase its use of personalisation techniques and boost sales. The campaign, aimed at the company's 500,000-strong customer database, is...

Edinburgh & Lothians Tourist Board steps up e-marketing efforts. (News).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Edinburgh & Lothians Tourist Board is aiming to expand its e-mail database as part of its strategy to boost awareness and target potential customers more effectively. In the Spring Break campaign, developed by Strathearn Agency, national...

US DMA plots FTC lawsuit over do-not-call restraint. (International).(Direct Marketing Association files lawsuit against Federal Trade Commission)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... New York: The US DMA is attempting to scupper plans to implement the controversial do-not-call list sanctioned by George Bush by launching a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Despite the lawsuit being thrown out by the US...

Telstar debuts Polish iTV channel. (International).(Telstar Corp. launches interactive television station in Poland)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Warsaw: Telstar is launching Poland's first interactive television station to an expected audience of 1.5 million households. The new channel, iTV, will operate as both a cable and satellite station. It aims to broadcast mainly game shows...

Fedma elects Bertelsmann chief Cinar chairman. (International).(Federation of European Direct Marketing elects Ara Cinar as chairman)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Brussels: Fedma has elected Bertelsmann senior vice-president of marketing Ara Cinar to replace Holger Albers as chairman. Cinar, who joined Bertelsmann in 1970 and has been vice-president of subsidiary France Loisirs since 1976, says he...

Top agencies stand united. (International).
April 4, 2003... Melbourne: It's the season for lies, damn lies and statistics -- and agency income tables. Australia's two main industry magazines have just published their 2002 agency figures, with amazing similarities. (Perhaps showing that if you're going...

Public grows weary of blanket card mailings. (News Analysis).
April 4, 2003... despite being one of the heaviest direct mailers, the credit card industry has the weakest response rates. Curtis Brown asks whether it is time for banks to abandon the medium. It is probably fair to say that no other sector stokes up more...

Eastern front opens in sports car wars. (News Analysis).
April 4, 2003... Ford, Porsche and Saab are sticking to their sports car marketing plans despite the potential economic impact of war in Iraq. In the long-term, new far eastern entrants to the sector offer a more genuine threat. Gone are the days when...

Time to crack down on the rogue mailers. (Mark Roy).(Column)
April 4, 2003... From a PR perspective, we all know that (unlike for most politicians, who never seem able to say the same thing twice) continuity of message is the key to success. In other words, only say what is in your heart, what you really believe. ...

Letter's.(Letter to the Editor)
April 4, 2003... 'Stress maximisation' not such a bad idea So, women in direct marketing are less stressed than their male counterparts (PM March 7, salary survey 2003). Does this mean that the girls are better at coping with stress than the guys, or that...

Marketers do not understand the concept of relationships: customer relationship management is the buzzword on every marketer's lips, but building relationships has little to do with a sound CRM strategy. (Comment: Tony Clarke).(Column)
April 4, 2003... There seems to be a general misunderstanding surrounding the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) and its various machinations. CRM simply seems to me to be the current catchphrase of the inhabitants of the direct marketing...

Friends in high places -- at last. (Leader).(DM A (UK) Data Protection Conference )
April 4, 2003... There is little doubt that last week's DM A (UK) Data Protection Conference provided this industry with a much-needed shot in the arm, with newly-appointed Information Commissioner (IC) Richard Thomas praising the sectors record on...

Door-step challenge.
April 4, 2003... The door-to-door market has witnessed huge growth over the past few years, with expenditure now exceeding outdoor and radio. As part of a regular series, Claire Bayliff of Starbucks Coffee Company and Sean Roberts of Communicator examine four...

A question of loyalty: many view data sharing as an increasingly effective way of pooling resources across companies. But it carries the risk of alienating customers by exposing them to unwanted communications. (Special Report: Database Management).
April 4, 2003... WARS ARE EXPENSIVE. The costs of Gulf War One were met in part by Kuwait and other Gulf states keen to be rid of Saddam Hussein. Gulf War Two, however, is being almost entirely funded by the US, because it is the only country with an interest...

The viral conspiracy: viral electronic communications always run the risk of incurring the consumer's wrath, but with a touch of finesse, Danielle Green promises they will have everybody jumping on the bandwagon. (Special Report: Viral Marketing).
April 4, 2003... HANDS UP those of you with at least one friend or colleague who insists on brightening up your day with 'hilarious' mpegs and chain e-mails. Now keep your hand raised if you would happily garrotte that person with their mouse flex. We all...

Aceville expands Craft file of women over 60. (List File).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Aceville has updated its Craft file to hold over 36,000 records. It consists of response-generated subscribers and competition entrants to Crafts Beautiful and Teddy Bears magazines, as well as attendees to the Hobby craft show. Aceville...

Taste updates list of wealthy catalogue buffs. (List File).(Taste by Mail)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Taste by Mail has updated its hotline names and now has 8,724 records of four-to-six month buyers, 3,497 records of seven-to-12-month buyers and 13,788 records of 13-to-24-month buyers. The Taste file comprises individuals who have...

Garden Club members file rises to 72,000. (List File).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... The Gardeners Club file now has 72,000 records, available through Integral Marketing. All names are members of the free online Gardeners Club. The club offers information, advice, products, competitions, discounts and concessions to garden...

DA Group picks Scott as marketing director. (Moving People).(Cyril Scott)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Cyril Scott, formerly vice-president of sales and marketing at NCR, has joined DA Group (formerly Digital Animations Group) as sales and marketing director. He will be responsible for DA's business development, client services, product...

Waller fills new Purple Parking role. (Moving People).(Steve Waller is named to board in the new role of sales and marketing director)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Heathrow airport parking specialist Purple Parking has appointed Steve Waller to its board in the new role of sales and marketing director. He will work closely with the marketing team, headed by sales and marketing manager Tracy King. Waller...

Davis appointed Contact & Fulfil director. (Moving People).(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Contact & Fulfil, part of Wegener Direct Marketing, has recruited Ann Davis as sales director. Davis was previously group sales manager at 4DM Group and has also worked at companies including Mailcom, The Computing Group and The Karran Group.

Leyhourne joins Albany Software. (Moving People).(Georgia Leybourne)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... Georgia Leybourne has been appointed sales and business development manager at Albany Software. The role is a new position within Albany's sales and business development division, and has been created to drive business growth and increase the...

Robertson heads Bryan Cave marketing in London. (Moving People).(Ian Robertson)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2003... International law firm Bryan Cave has appointed Ian Robertson as head of business development and marketing at its London-based office. Robertson was previously marketing manager at US law firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene and MacRae in London, before...

Nice work: Is a monthly column dedicated to those people who are happy at work. Don't think it's possible? Read on.(Brief Article)(Column)
April 4, 2003... Name: Emma Rooney Company: Birddog Department: Production Job title: Production manager Responsibilities: Organising the workflow, giving quotes to clients, arranging production, taking briefs. from clients, plus estimating...

'Arry resorts to dirty tricks. (Diary).(direct mail hoaxes)(Column)
April 4, 2003... After receiving more hype and media coverage than the recent launch of Kylie's skimpy pants range, the most highly anticipated sequel of the year has finally hit our screens -- Gulf War II. As soldiers fall over each other in the desert...

Drink to victory: Soundoff; hunter's tale. (Diary).(direct marketing campaign to Iraq)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 4, 2003... God, I'll be glad when this week is over. Not that I should complain, but we've been rushed off our arses at Killer-Shark putting the finishing touches to a plumb COI job for which I was forced to sign the Official Secrets Act. Still, at...

IDM chief blasts DMA over management training plan.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... A war of words has erupted between the Institute of Direct Marketing and the DMA (UK) over the trade body's plans to launch a management training scheme with Oxford Brookes University (PM last week). IDM believes the scheme is an intrusion...

Sense charity mailing hit by hoax e-mailer.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... The industry has been put on alert by a hoax e-mail warning that seven women have died from inhaling poisonous fumes from sample perfume sachets. The hoax has especially affected Sense, the charity for people who are both deaf and blind,...

ARG plots instant' direct campaigns.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Home shopping giant ARG Equation--formerly GUS Home Shopping--is developing personalised communications which will see the company respond to transactions with almost instant campaigns. The company already runs a sophisticated customer...

Direct-sell electrical firms face threat from EU recovery law.(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... An EU directive forcing manufacturers to pay for the disposal of electrical goods could have a devastating effect on direct sellers if they are forced to foot the bill for recovering products including fridges and cookers. The Waste...

London railway aims to rebuild passenger ties. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Train operator c2c, part of London Lines, is aiming to bolster its customer relationship management (CRM) programme through a raft of activities designed to improve the relationship with its core customer base. The move follows the...

YWCA drive to lure male donors. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... YWCA England & Wales is launching a hard-hitting direct marketing campaign depicting how vulnerable young women risk turning to prostitution without the help of the charity. The initiative -- the YWCA's largest direct campaign to date --...

Compass plans data blitz for UK airports. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Global food services giant Compass is planning a major database marketing offensive to promote its franchised restaurants -- including Burger King and Harry Ramsden's -- at top UK airports as fears grow over a fall in overseas travel. ...

Cadbury Roses push taps into Easter holidays. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Cadbury is aiming to boost sales of its Roses brand through a seasonal data capture-led marketing campaign in the run-up to the Easter holidays. The company is launching a 200,000-strong nationwide direct-mail campaign and a one million...

Norwegian cruise firm pushes 'safe' havens. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Norwegian Coastal Voyage is taking advantage of public perception of Scandinavia as a 'safe' destination by embarking on a warm recruitment campaign for its 2003/4 holidays. The company is targeting its database with a 'holiday of...

VisitScotland hires WWAV to boost tourism. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... VisitScotland is planning to ramp up its direct marketing activity following the appointment of WWAV Rapp Collins Scotland, as part of plans to target UK tourists and capitalise on the current uncertainty over international travel. The...

Nestle to drive customers online for Bakers offensive. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Nestle Purina PetCare is developing a sophisticated online marketing strategy for its Bakers Complete dog food brand, to capture vital information and build an e-marketing customer database. Previously, collated names and addresses from the...

P&O marketing shake-up fuels [pounds sterling]15m cost-cutting. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... P&O Ferries is creating its first central marketing and reservations database and multichannel e-CRM strategy to cut [pounds sterling]15m of its annual running costs. The company, which consolidated its three operations P&O Stena Line, P&O...

Lakeland kicks off plans with inserts launch. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Kitchenware and mail order specialist Lakeland is planning to broaden its use of direct marketing to create doubledigit growth in 2003. The family-owned firm, whose [pounds sterling]85m annual turnover stems from 25 stores and a mail order...

Fishermen's group hunts donors to ease crisis. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... The Fishermen's Mission, a charity providing aid and support for fishermen and their widows, is testing new direct marketing initiatives to boost donations, as cutbacks on cod quotas put a squeeze on the UK industry. The organisation,...

Sun Microsystems rolls out e-campaign to SMEs. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Sun Microsystems, the multibillion network IT solutions provider, is launching a major e-marketing campaign to recruit new prospects and expand its global database. The Why Not? campaign is aimed at small-to-mediumsized banking,...

Oxfam turns to telemarketing. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Oxfam is planning a responsive drive to sign up supporters to the new Gift Aid Scheme, allowing the charity to gain estimated additional revenue of Lim a year by reclaiming tax from donations. Oxfam plans to use telemarketing to identify...

Blinds specialist plots post-rebrand activity. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... UK blind specialist Hillarys is launching its largest marketing drive to date, following an aggressive rebranding strategy, in attempts to win over new customers. The Hillary Group, comprising Hillary Blinds, webblinds.com and Arena, will...

DMA launches iTV council of 15 members. (News).(Direct Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... The DMA (UK) has unveiled the Line-up for its Interactive TV Council, part of the DMA's Interactive Media Division. It will consist of 15 representatives recruited from a broad member base, including Sky, Telewest, ITV and Channel 4. Mike...

02 launches direct marketing review. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Mobile phone firm 02 is reviewing its consumer direct marketing account, through the AAR. Agencies vying for the business are understood to include Proximity London, Tequila/London, Archibald Ingall Stretton and Finex.

ChildLine steps up drive for volunteers. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... ChildLine Yorkshire & NorthEast is launching a volunteer recruitment marketing campaign. Guerrilla marketing tactics will be employed, with posters being displayed in listening posts at Virgin stores and on interior bus panels. Poulter Partners...

Independent group debuts SMS initiative. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... The Independent newspaper's publisher, Independent News & Media group, is overhauling its marketing to use SMS campaigns for the first time. Free magazines, which include Living Abroad Magazine (LAM), Miss London, Girls About Town and Nine to...

Business Link in push to bolster online services. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Business Link, London's impartial adviser and facilitator for small-to-mediumsized businesses, is bolstering awareness of its activities by promoting its website for the first time in an integrated campaign. The campaign, created by DP&A,...

MGM launches online campaign to promote James Bond release. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... MGM Home Entertainment is embarking on its biggest online marketing campaign to date, as part of plans to increase DVD and VHS sales of Die Another Day and boost its database. The campaign, designed by Digital Outlook, aims to draw James...

Kids' publisher uses viral ploy for action series. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Children's publisher Walker Books is launching its first viral marketing campaign in a bid to lure readers to its Alex Rider series. The initiative, which has been devised by 1000heads, is promoting the launch of Eagle Strike, the fourth...

Jewish charity plans Passover campaign to bridge [pounds sterling]8m funding gap. (News).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Jewish care organisation Norwood Ravenswood is launching a database marketing campaign to coincide with the festival of Passover, as part of its strategy to raise funds from the Anglo-Jewish community. The highly targeted campaign will be...

Canadian media giant in electronic papers drive. (International).(CanWest Global Communications )(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Winnipeg: CanWest Global Communications is launching electronic versions of its newspapers in a bid to recruit customers and expand its database. The Canadian media company owns 13 daily and 48 weekly newspapers, including the Notional...

LL Bean pilots DRTV to halt rivals. (International).(Brief Article)
April 11, 2003... Freeport, Maine: Mail order specialist LL Bean is using DRTV as part of its strategy to expand recruitment activity. The action follows stiff competition that has forced the New England company to cut 32 catalogues from its mail plan, 50...

TPG acquisition strengthens grip on mailing sector. (International).
April 11, 2003... Hoofddorp, Holland: Global provider of mail and logistics TPG is pushing to become a major player in the German mailing market by acquiring mailing distributor Blitzpunkt for an undisclosed sum. Blitzpunkt is being bought by TPG's German...

Lifestyle data entices Spain. (International).
April 11, 2003... Madrid: With a marketing expenditure of [euro]11.7bn ([pounds sterling]7.6bn) in 2002, Spain still has a preference for above-the-line activity, which comprises 46 per cent of the total share. While newspaper, magazine and radio have all...

Can travel firms fight war and pestilence? (News Analysis).
April 11, 2003... The outbreak of SARS couldn't have coma at a war se time for the travel industry with bookings already plummeting in wake of war and tears of terrorism Emma Rubach finds out what marketers are dating to try to the damage. It has been a...

Hollywood stays one step ahead: securing large-scale awareness of a film before its release is paramount to its success. Emily Cubitt uncovers Hollywood's latest pre-release tricks and why it is so dependent on them. (News Analysis).
April 11, 2003... The film industry has always relied heavily on TV chat shows, gossip columnists and advance previews to build up hype before the release of blockbuster movies. But these days there is a much greater force behind the scenes, as the Hollywood...

How to tell if you are a good risk manager: in his monthly column, Jim Surguy tackles two problems facing the agency sector, while Alan Timothy (below) explains how to improve customer targeting. (The PM Surgery).
April 11, 2003... THE EXPERT Q: My auditor has told me I don't pay enough attention to risk management. What should I be worrying about? A: Maybe your auditor has just been on a risk assessment course. It's very topical in the financial community,...

Identifying the 'will dos' should boost sales: Alan Timothy explains what you should do if you are not converting enough best prospects into purchasers. (The PM Surgery).
April 11, 2003... THE EXPERT Q: We target our acquisition activity to attract potential consumers to our call centre and then apply a lifestyle filter (Prizm), yet still have to be happy if only a tiny percentage of what look like best prospects go on to...

Digital radio will rise to leader of response media.
April 11, 2003... Something a sight more revolutionary than the Internet proved to be is quietly creeping up on an unsuspecting direct marketing industry. I attended a fascinating presentation last week about 'DAB', which stands for digital audio broadcasting:...

Letters.
April 11, 2003... London isn't the heart of the agency universe. With reference to Michael Rosser's news analysis, 'Regionals steal a march on capital' (PM March 21), how naive, and presumptuous can Caitlin Ryan be about regionally based agencies? Not...

Investment is still the smartest strategy to beat the brain drain: many agencies are cutting staff and costs to keep prices unrealistically low. But by sacrificing quality and experience, they risk alienating their customers. (Comment).
April 11, 2003... The direct marketing industry is showing signs of a dangerous spiral, one which those of us who weathered the last recession hoped we would not see again. Many large direct marketing agencies have made staff redundant. Investment in...