Chief Marketer Staff

• InfoUSA Acquires Direct Media

  The list of independent list companies has just been reduced by one. A big one. Direct Media is being acquired by InfoUSA, following Walter Karl, Edith Roman, Rubin Response, Millard, Mokrynskidirect, American Church Lists and Jami. For fresh comment and perspective, click here.

• InfoUSA’s Purchase of Direct Media Makes For Strange Bedfellows

  What does Lester Wunderman, the generally acknowledged “father of direct marketing,” call Vinod Gupta, CEO of infoUSA?

  As of yesterday, “boss.”

• Agencies

  DMA Blasts NY Governor’s Tax Proposal

  The Direct Marketing Association has blasted New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s proposals to start collecting state sales taxes from out-of-state marketers whose connection with the state is no more than a link on their Web sites.

• Digital

  Whitman Exits CEO Role at EBay

  Meg Whitman is stepping down as president/CEO of EBay, effective March 31.

• Digital

  Art Technology Group to Buy CleverSet for $11 Million

  Art Technology Group Inc. will purchase CleverSet for about $11 million.

• Borders Taps 360i as Interactive Agency of Record

  Borders Group Inc. has chosen 360i as its interactive agency of record.

  The budget was not disclosed.

• Email

  Fire Mountain Gems Chooses StrongMail

  Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, an online supplier of jewelry-making supplies, has selected StrongMail Systems Inc. to centralize its e-mail marketing efforts.

• Agencies

  Spike TV Hosts Basketball Event with Retired NBA Stars

  About 100 basketball enthusiasts trekked in the wee hours of yesterday morning to New York’s Madison Square Garden to set foot on the floor of the world’s famous arena.

• Agencies

  Tic Tac Promotes Flavors Via Sampling Campaign, Tour

  Tic Tac is shaking things up with a sampling campaign and contest to promote its new mint flavors.

• Unilever Taps Klauser for New Marketing Post

  Unilever U.S. is stepping up its efforts in multicultural and shopper marketing with a new position.