Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  On E-Zine Leads: Keep Them Short, Stupid

  Harvey Kurtzman, the comic book genius who created Mad magazine, was once asked about his writing.

  “I don’t write,” he answered. “I do movement.”

• Live From the Licensing Show: Royalties Flat, Entertainment and Character Licensing Booming

  Royalties from licensing in the United States in 2004 were $5.85 billion, about flat with 2003, with the industry seeing a gain in royalty payments of only 0.7%. “It’s not surprising,” Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry …

• American Capital Strategies Buys Cataloger Potpourri Group

  American Capital Strategies, Ltd., Bethesda, MD, has purchased Potpourri Group Inc., a leading direct marketer of personal gifts, home d

• Agencies

  RR Donnelley Completes Purchase of Astron Group

  R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. has finalized its acquisition of Astron Group, a business document printing firm. The purchase price was $990 million, and the transaction was done entirely in cash.

• AllianceLeads, America Direct Mail.com Partner to Create Destination-Direct.com

  AllianceLeads, a prospect list firm, and America Direct Mail.com, a direct mail list services company, have joined forces to create Destination-Direct.com. The new company will offer marketing leads that target new homeowners and new businesses.

• Humana to Open Telemarketing Call Center in West Tampa

  Humana Inc. will open a new telemarketing call center in West Tampa. The facility, which will employ 200 workers, will support the company

• J.Jill Group Promotes Olga L. Conley to CAO

  The J. Jill Group Inc. has given Olga L. Conley, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer, the additional title of chief administrative officer, effective immediately.

• Jeffrey E. Epstein Named CFO of Advo

  Advo Inc. has tapped Jeffrey E. Epstein to be its executive vice president and chief financial officer. Epstein assumed his new position on June 6. In his new position, he will direct financial planning, analysis and reporting, treasury, tax, accounting and investor relations operations.

• Jacobs, Coe Keynote Chinese DM Forum

  Ron Jacobs and John M. Coe were highlighted speakers at two

• New Products and Services

  Repositionable Notes: These yellow, white or blue sticky notes can be attached to the outside of any direct mail letter or postcard, and then be transferred to refrigerators, day planners, filing cabinets, computers or telephones. Using them incurs only …