Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  West Marine Narrows Losses

  West Marine Inc. reported a net loss of 6 million for the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $12.5 million last year.

• Agencies

  AIG Unit Acquires Matrix Direct

  American General Life Insurance Co., a subsidiary of American International Group has acquired term life insurance direct marketer Matrix Direct Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

• Agencies

  Credit Card, Insurance Acquisition Mail Rising

  Credit card and insurance acquisition mail volumes last year grew substantially over 2005 numbers, thanks largely to increased campaigns, according to Mintel Comperemedia.

• Agencies

  Rapp Collins Names Bass Global Integration Director

  Rapp Collins Worldwide has named Steve Bass director, global integration and development and Matthew Hafkin global chief financial officer.

• Agencies

  USPS Awards Northrop $874 Million Contract for Flats System

  The U.S. Postal Service has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. an $874 million contract to build machinery that will sort flats in the order in which they are delivered.

• Agencies

  Dancing With the Stars Hits the Streets Via Tour, Contest

  ABC is hitting the road Monday with a tour and dancing contest to promote the second season of its hit show Dancing with the Stars.

• Agencies

  Strawberry Shortcake Pushes Strawberries In-Store

  Strawberry Shortcake has struck a deal to help sell strawberries to kids.

• Newcastle Readies Summer Campaign with TV Chef

  Newcastle Brown Ale has signed TV chef “Sam the Cooking Guy” as the spokesperson for its 2007 marketing campaign.

• Agencies

  Matzo Maker Hides Winning Codes for Passover

  The maker of Manischewitz Matzo, is putting instant-win codes that could be worth $1,000 inside boxes of matzo for Passover Seder.

• Jack Morton Taps Freitas for Top Strategy Post

  Jack Morton Worldwide has hired its first director of strategy and planning to help clients set experiential marketing strategy.