Chief Marketer Staff

• Shoppers Cut Holiday Budgets, Expect Bargains

  Shoppers have smaller budgets and higher expectations for price promotions this holiday season. U.S. households will spend an average of $466 on gifts, down slightly from $476 last year, The Conference Board reported.

• Agencies

  As NRF Turns Optimistic, Consumers Plan to Hold the Line on Spending

  While the National Retail Federation has turned cautiously optimistic on holiday sales, merchants this season face consumers determined to hold the line on gift spending, according to a report from The Conference Board.

  The National Retail Federation has raised its holiday forecast, predicting consumer spending will increase 6%, to $439.53 billion, over last year.

• Agencies

  Web Sales Lead Direct Activity for Coldwater Creek

  Coldwater Creek generated $12.4 million in net income during its third quarter, up from net income of $9.1 million in third quarter 2004. The Sandpoint, ID-based women’s apparel marketer’s revenue jumped from $150.5 million a year ago to $190.1 million

• Agencies

  Missouri AG Sues Unsolicited B-to-B Faxers

  Missouri attorney general Jay Nixon has filed a series of suits designed to reduce the number of unsolicited faxes firms within his state receive.

• Agencies

  Marilyn Carlson Nelson Named Vice Chair Of U.S. Travel And Tourism Board

  Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies, has been selected to serve as vice chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

• List Vet Ralph Stevens Starts a New List Company

  Ralph Stevens, a veteran list industry figure, has founded a new company, Ralph Stevens & Associates LLC.

  The Boca Raton, FL-based firm will offer list management and brokerage services

• Short Cuts

  News tidbits from Millard Group, Alliance Data and Epsilon Interactive

• Agencies

  Loose Cannon: Three Little Words

  The holiday mailing season is here, and there’s an insidious three-word phrase repeatedly making its way into targets’ homes.

  This phrase is not “No assembly required.” Consumers have learned to take this as a genial holiday lie. Many treat the Christmas Eve tradition of poorly translated instructions and missing Allen wrenches as a beloved annual occurrence, or at least an excuse to dip heavily into the rum punch.

• Listline e-Newsletter 11/22/05

  Adrea Rubin Management Inc. recently assumed management of the Cartilage
  Regeneration list. The quarterly hotline identifies 101,332 buyers who
  spend $40 for a one-month supply of a nutritional supplement sold for
  regenerating cartilage.

• Agencies

  Food Network E-Zine Offers Holiday Cheer

  Throwing a holiday cocktail party and need some help with mixed drinks? You don’t have to plop yourself in front of the television for the latest lifestyle show. Your computer will do just fine—that is, if you have subscribed to FoodNetwork.com’s weekly newsletter.