Chief Marketer Staff

• JCPenney to Close Texas Call Center

  The J. C. Penney Company Inc. will close its Austin, TX catalog call center in the second quarter as part of an effort to reduce expenses in excess of

• List and Database News

  California Alliance of Small Business Owners This file features 205,349 business owners in California who have between one and 19 employees. Seventy-five

• Short Cuts

  Ruf Strategic Solutions is providing data cluster technology for MeritDirect’s business-to-business cooperative database, MeritBase. Ruf adds unique data

• IMSI Acquires Aladdin Systems for $8 Million

  IMSI, an Internet software developer, will acquire Aladdin Systems for $8 million in cash and stock. Aladdin develops software that helps protect users

• DM Industry Anticipates Hiring: Survey

  Nearly two-thirds of direct marketers surveyed foresee making new hires during first-quarter 2004, up from 51% in fourth-quarter 2003, according to a

• Zipatoni Opens Philadelphia Office

  Promotion agency Zipatoni has hired Cynthia Slaby as managing director of the Philadelphia office, opened to service a new Pennsylvania-based account.

• List and Database News

  Secure Enterprise This new-to-market file offers 45,000 subscribers to this monthly magazine for security professionals. Selections: Business/industry

• Dollar Bills Become Billboards for Promoting Miniseries

  Putting a new spin on the use of marketing dollars, $1 bills have become a billboard of sorts, used by USA Network as an advertising vehicle to promote

• Short Cuts

  The Electronic Retailing Association will host its 2004 Spring Conference and Exposition from Feb. 1 to 3 at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne, FL. Quebecor

• CDW Income Slips in Quarter, Year

  CDW Corp. reported net income of $44.6 million for the fourth quarter, down from $45.6 million last year. The computer equipment direct marketer reported