Chief Marketer Staff

• USPS Asks Congress to Pay Off $900 Million Revenue Forgone Debt

  The financially ailing U.S. Postal Service has renewed a request that Congress pay off a debt of more than $900 million to help it end fiscal 2003 in the black.

• Deluxe Debuts Direct-Check Service

  Deluxe Financial Services debuted a new direct-check service today in which it will sell checks to bank customers. Deluxe, which has traditionally sold

• Reader’s Digest Releases New Young Families Book Club List

  Reader’s Digest has put its Young Families continuity book club list on the market. The Catamount Group is managing the file, which contains 1.39 million

• Internet Sales Boost Sportsman’s Guide’s Fortunes

  The Sportsman’s Guide Inc. generated first-quarter 2002 sales of $41.6 million, compared to $38.9 million reported for the same period one year ago. Net earnings for the quarter totaled $784,000, a turnaround from the net loss of $167,000 in first quarter 2001. The quarter ended March 31.

• DIRECT Listline

  New Business Database by Market Force American List Counsel has introduced a new B-to-B database–the New Business Database by Market Force. It lists

• Ad Giant Jay Chiat Dies at 70

  Jay Chiat, co-founder of the Chiat/Day advertising agency and chairman of ScreamingMedia, died of cancer on Tuesday at age 70, according to wire service

• FTD.COM’s Revenue, Income Up on Increased Sales

  FTD.COM’s third-quarter revenue and order growth were spurred by a strong Valentine’s Day and additional business from National Flora, a second quarter

• BALLY TOTAL FITNESS FEELS IN THE PINK

  Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, extended its endorsement deal (which began via early-2002 TV spots) with pop star Pink last week by announcing a sponsorship

• Movie Madness

  Real keen marketing, folks. Lure

• Revenue Slips, Income Falls at Martha Stewart

  Martha Stewart Omnimedia Inc.’s revised contract with Kmart gave some needed lift to its merchandising revenue, as the company’s other segments either