Chief Marketer Staff

• Torstar Sells Troll Communications for $70 Million

  Canadian media conglomerate Torstar Corp., based in Toronto, has sold Troll Communications, its children’s’ books direct marketing operation which lost

• DMDNY Conference Set For May 24-27 at New York Hilton

  The 1999 Direct Marketing Days in New York annual conference will take place May 24-27 at the New York Hilton & Towers. Larry Light, president of Arcature

• Beyond.com To Acquire BuyDirect.com for Over $133 Million

  Internet software superstore Beyond.com has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Buydirect.com in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at more than

• PCH Hit With Two New Suits Over Sweepstakes Offers

  Publishers Clearing House has been slapped with two new lawsuits over the wording in its sweepstakes offers.Last week, Indiana Attorney General Jeffrey

• Concepts Direct Posts Losses for Quarter, Year

  Cataloger Concepts Direct, Inc., baseD in Longmont, CO, reported earnings of $424,000 for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 1998, a decline from $1.17 million

• Short Cuts

  Online trading community eBay, based in San Francisco, said it is ending user listings of all firearms and ammunition on its site (http://www.ebay.com).

• Spiegel Sued Over ‘Elements’ Trade Name

  Spiegel Inc., Downers Grove, IL, is embroiled in a legal battle over use of the term “Elements Exclusively Spiegel” in its catalogs.Elements Inc., which

• Acer America Said to Go Direct With Personal Computers

  Computer manufacturer Acer America Corp., San Jose, CA, will stop selling its Aspire line of home personal computers through resellers to focus on direct

• NH Photo ID Flap Reawakens DMer Motor List Issue

  Direct marketing industry access to motor vehicle data has been called into question once again following last week’s disclosure that Nashua, NH-based

• DIRECT Listline

  Broadcasting & Communications DB This 38,607-name database identifies executives and professionals in all areas of the broadcasting industry, such as