October 2009 - Page 4 of 28

MidOcean Partners, Allant Management, Buy Allant Group

MidOcean Partners, a private equity firm which focuses on the middle market, has acquired The Allant Group in conjunction with Allant’s management.

Acquisition

Targeting Institutional Names in a Consumer Prospect Universe

Most business-to-consumer direct marketers do their prospect merge/purges at the family level; that is, both the physical location and Surname must be the same for a duplicate situation to exist. This is because the cost-effective strategy for most of them is to send just one piece into a household at a time.

Agencies

Mail Stream: October 26

Sexy superheroes and other outrageous outfits adorn the pages of the new Frederick

DR Agency Mercury Media Hires Two

Mercury Media, a privately owned direct response media agency, has hired Chris Conderino and Mitchel G. Bader.

Agencies

Frederick’s of Hollywood Has Weak Quarter, Year

Frederick’s of Hollywood saw its fourth quarter net sales drop 18.1%, from $42.1 million a year ago to $34.5 million. The company’s net loss diminished, however, from $7.2 million a year ago to just over $7 million.

Agencies

J. Crew Raises Third-, Fourth-Quarter Guidance

J. Crew Group, Inc. has boosted its financial outlook for its current third quarter, which will end Oct. 31, as well as the upcoming fourth quarter.

Kindle Leads Stellar Quarter For Amazon

Amazon.com generated third quarter net sales of $5.45 billion, up 28% from $4.26 billion from third quarter 2008. The online retailer’s operating income jumped 62% to $251 million, compared with $154 million a year ago. Its net income increased 68% to $199 million in the third quarter, compared with net income of $118 million in third quarter 2008.

Cash For Clunkers “Mixed Blessing” In Autobytel’s Third Quarter

While automobile dealers received a boost from the “Cash for Clunkers” federal vehicle trade-in program, one major direct marketer’s praise for the effort was decidedly muted. Autobytel, which provides prospect leads to a network of dealers, indicated the total number of dealers taking advantage in its offerings declined during the third quarter.

Agencies