Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  Live From DMDNY: An Uncomfortable Conversation

  Direct marketers are facing a dialog that may cause them to squirm in their seats. With the rise of social networks, they are increasingly having to listen to, and cede control of their messaging to, consumers.

• Agencies

  Live From DMDNY: DMA Consumer Study Highlights Timing And Trust

  Peter A. Johnson has a challenge for the entire direct marketing industry, or at least those that haven’t read about the DMA’s new consumer study. Name the factor most often cited by consumers regarding why they don’t respond to direct marketing solicitations. Take two guesses. Take three.

• Agencies

  New Jersey Senate Passes Anti-Spam Bill

  The New Jersey Senate yesterday approved a bill its sponsors claim expands the federal Can-Spam Act.

  Dubbed the New Jersey Can Spam Act, or S-1129, the bill would establish criminal and civil penalties for activities typically involved in spamming.

• DMEF Recognizes Young Talent, Launches Donor Program

  The Direct Marketing Education Foundation awarded its “Rising Star” honor to four DMers, gave Time Consumer Marketing Inc. its Corporate Commitment award, and debuted a donor program at its annual awards dinner Tuesday night.

• Agencies

  VistaPrint to Offer Creative, Mailing Services

  VistaPrint Ltd. has entered the marketing services business with two new offerings — Mailing Services and Creative Services. Both new capabilities will target the company’s core small business client base.

• Book Worms: DC Comics Uses Social Networking to Promote New Series for Teen Girls

  (Promo) Feeling like an outcast in high school is a sad, but true reality for many young girls.
  DC Comics is playing into that awkward feeling with the debut this month of “The Plain Janes,” the first graphic novel in a series created just for teens.

• Control Freaks Stay Home: Letting Go is Part of the Web Process

  Companies that are successful online realize that today, the audience has a greater influence over what marketers do than ever before, says Brian Reich, director of interactive services at Boston-based Cone Inc.

• Digital

  Sprightly Venture: Soda Maker Launches Mobile Social Community for Teens

  (Promo) This month, the Coca-Cola Co. plans to launch a social community for teens via mobile phones for its Sprite brand.

• E-News To Go

  The Wine & Spirits Industry Forum (http://www.wineandspiritsindustryforum.com/) has launched what it calls the first social network for the wine and spirits Industry. Membership is free, and open to anyone working in or providing services to the Industry.

• NASCAR Files $100 Million Countersuit Against AT&T Over Sponsorship

  The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing filed a $100 million counter suit last week against AT&T claiming that the wireless carrier is interfering with its exclusive sponsorship agreement with Nextel