Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  The Next Generation of Direct Mail Is Here

  Combining traditional direct mail tactics with new, interactive capabilities is a cost-effective way for every business

• Email

  Broker Roundtable: What Are the Trends in E-Mail Lists?

  This week’s question for the broker roundtable: What are the trends in e-mail lists? Are you seeing more mailers considering e-mail for prospecting?
  Our current panel features Christopher Pickering of MeritDirect, Stephani Wright of Focus USA, Becky Hagadorn of the Catamount Group, John Ahern of MDx Medical, Lisa Horder of Institute Lists and Kathy Duggan-Josephs of RMI Direct Marketing Inc. (Would you like to be considered to be a member of our roundtable? Contact Larry Riggs at larry.riggs@penton.com.)

• Easy Tips for Jumpstarting E-Commerce Sales

  When the e-commerce model exploded onto the market, the ability for small businesses to open their doors to the world 24/7 revolutionized the retail industry. While that remains true to this day, the proliferation of e-commerce demands that online retailers go above and beyond to stand out from the crowd. Beyond rock-bottom pricing, there are several easy ways online retailers—both startups and established stores—can jumpstart their e-commerce sales.

• Agencies

  Target Shifts to Everyday Discounts for Branded Cardholders

  Value retailer Target will restructure the rewards offered to holders of its branded credit and debit cards, swapping accrued discounts over time for an immediate 5% discount at the point of sale

• Agencies

  5 Tips to Winning Branded Merchandise Campaigns

  Executing a successful merchandise campaign takes a keen eye and a thoughtful plan. Jay Deutsch, CEO and co-founder of BDA shares five tips

• Agencies

  P&I Postscripts-Carlson Marketing

  CARLSON MARKETING: is offering a new technology, mobile gift certificates or mCerts, as part of its Instant Rewards program

• Top Web Site Design and Analytics Mistakes—And How to Avoid Them

  The key to online marketing success is getting customers to your site, engaging them, and converting their interest into a sale. But a lack of conversion points, poor design and mismanaged analytics can deter that from happening. Here’s a look at why those mistakes happen, and what you can do to correct them.

• DMEF’s Top Teacher On Measurability, Comparative Lit and How To Market Coffee

  The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation has selected Marjorie Kalter to receive its 2010 Edward N. Mayer, Jr. Award for Education Leadership. Kalter is the academic program director and clinical professor for the Master of Science Program in Integrated Marketing at New York University. Kalter spoke with Direct Newsline about her path to academia, the influence Lester Wunderman had on her career, and the value of integrated marketing.

• When It Comes To ROI, Don’t Be A Mad Man

  At the end of July, the AMC show Mad Men returns to television for its fourth season. The world of media and marketing has changed since the early 1960s advertising heyday. Aside from the obvious cultural changes (drinking, smoking and sexually harassing women in the office were completely acceptable, along with being racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic), the biggest difference is the introduction of an essential measurement that clients now expect their agencies to show: the marketing return on investment.

• You’re Cordially Invited…

  Promo and Promo Xtra invite you to join our new LinkedIn group, Promo Online. You no doubt already know the benefits of joining LinkedIn groups: access to like-minded professionals