Chief Marketer Staff

• Response to U.K. Consumer Mail Beats B-to-B

  Consumer direct mail campaigns in the U.K. achieve higher response rates than business campaigns do, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Direct Mail Information Service.

• Bally Taps Starcom for DR Media Planning, Buying

  Bally Total Fitness has selected Starcom Worldwide as its general market media planning and buying agency of record.

• Community Foundations Taps Kintera for Fund Service

  Community Foundations of America, Inc. has chosen Kintera Inc. to manage and provide Web-based technology for a national donor advised fund service.

• CheckFree Debuts E-Funds System in Italy

  CheckFree Software has joined forces with Itacable to launch ItaLock, a business-to-business electronic invoice and payment (EIP) service in Italy.

• Short Cuts

  The U.S. Postal Service has added a second format to its NCOALink product, reportedly decreasing processing times and increasing access, thereby making it easier to use across a variety of computer platforms. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc. has closed of its $40 …

• List and Database News

  Urban Young Professionals Connection Available here are 9.54 million individuals aged 25-40 making at least $75,000 per year. The file is put together from investment seminars, product registrations and self reported sources. Selections: Age, 12-month …

• Agencies

  Force Remains Strong with Star Wars Partners

  The Force is back and it’s bigger than ever thanks to a number of partners and licensees backing the much anticipated release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. From breakfast cereal and soft drinks to ring tones and snack food, the latest …

• Rodkin, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods NA, Resigns

  Gary M. Rodkin, the chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America, has resigned to pursue new career opportunities, the company said yesterday. Rodkin, 52, has been in the position since 2002. He will remain with PepsiCo through June to …

• Agencies

  Volkswagen and Disney Taking Herbie on the Road

  Volkswagen of America and Walt Disney Pictures will hit the road in May with the Disney live-action character Herbie, a VW Beetle with a mind of its own, in a grassroots effort to help promote the upcoming motion picture Herbie Fully Loaded. Volkswagen …

• For 29%, Recording a TV Show Means Skipping Ads: Study

  A new study has found that 29% of people who record a television show do so to skip or fast-forward through the commercials. The study also showed that 52% of consumers record shows to watch them when it fits their schedule, and the other 19% said they …