Chief Marketer Staff

• Email

  Stupid Protest Watch: “Ban Comic Sans” Can’t be Real … Right?

  Please say the Ban Comic Sans protest site is satire

• Listline e-Newsletter 05/22/07

  Worldata has been selected to manage a portfolio of lists for e.Republic
  Inc., effective July 1. These include Government Technology, Emergency
  Management, Public CIO and Texas Technology magazines, plus a
  new-to-market master file.

• Increasing Number of Phone Reps Work from Home

  The number of home-based telemarketing reps is projected to increase to 330,000 by 2010, according to research compiled by Exony, a management software development firm. That equals about 11% of the total home-based workforce nationwide.

• Agencies

  FTC Investigating ValueClick’s Lead-Gen Activities

  Interactive ad company ValueClick confirmed that it is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for possible violations related to its lead-generation activities.

• InfoUSA Challenges New York Times Facts in Scam Artists Story

  InfoUSA offered clarification on “some particularly misleading assertions” made by the New York Times in a story on scammers who target elderly consumers. The story appeared on the newspaper’s front page on Sunday, May 20.

• Anchor Launches Company to Specialize in Retail Data

  Anchor Computer Inc. has formed Anchor Retail Solutions, a new company that offers list and data services specifically for retailers engaged in direct marketing. Chief operating officer Peg Kuman will serve as head of the new firm.

• V12 Gains Access to More Mortgage Data For Lists

  V12 Group has acquired Direct Marketing Associates (DMA), a mortgage data compiler, for undisclosed terms. Look for V12 to make more acquisitions in the near future to further expand its line of data products and services.

• Agencies

  GET Interactive Working on DR Product Placement Promotions

  Several companies are reportedly in discussions with GET Interactive to introduce technology for direct response product placement promotions, which would be distributed as video content via the Internet and handheld communications devices.

• Slower Growth Leads ValueVision to Cost Cutting Measures

  ValueVision Media Inc. reported revenues increased 5% to $188 million for its first quarter ending May 5, compared to last year. However, its reported net income was $34.4 million, reflecting a net loss of $2.1 million compared to the same quarter last year

• Agencies

  Live From ACCM: Differentiate to Stay Ahead of the Curve

  Marketers need to find a way to differentiate themselves. The key, said Bart Sichel, principal, McKinsey & Co, is to find a niche, whether in a positioning or tactical area.