Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  Gaiam Takes Loss, Examines Media Mix and Subscription Business

  Gaiam Inc. generated $74.5 million in sales during fourth quarter 2008, compared with $81.8 million in fourth quarter 2007. More, along with The Eavesdropper’s Take, follow.

• Agencies

  Direct Flourishes, But Fourth Quarter Damps American Eagle’s Year

  Fourth quarter sales for apparel marketer American Eagle fell from $995.4 million a year ago to $905.7 million during fourth-quarter 2008. The company recorded net income of $32.7 million for the quarter, down from $140.5 million a year ago. More, along with The Opportunist’s Take, follows.

• Agencies

  DM Strong In Rough Neiman Marcus Quarter

  Neiman Marcus Inc. recorded $1.08 billion in second-quarter 2008 revenue, down from the $1.37 billion it pulled in during second-quarter 2007. The company’s net loss amounted to $509.3 million, compared with net income of $44.3 million a year earlier. More, along with The Opportunist’s Take, follow.

• Listline e-Newsletter 3/11

  In the past six months, more than 1.9 million confirmed opt-in individuals have indicated on educational Web sites they’re interested in furthering their post-secondary schooling.

• Agencies

  American Express Will Pay Customers to Leave

  Call it an anti-promotion: In an attempt to eliminate some low-spending customers from its cardholder roster, American Express Co. has announced it is offering to pay some holders to close their accounts.

• Agencies

  Sears Helps Customers Complete Rebate Forms

  Over the years, there have been many problems with rebates, the least of which have been the complicated, time-sensitive paperwork consumers are required to complete before they receive their rebate check.

• Agencies

  Sprint Boosts Referral Reward for March

  Wireless carrier Sprint has energized its Referral Rewards incentive program with a limited time offer, beefing up the credit given to subscribers who encourage friends to sign on to the service.

• Agencies

  Coupon Use Gains Strength

  Coupons are proving a powerful incentive for consumers struggling to make ends meet in a weak economy.

• Agencies

  Intercontinental Hotel Opens Online Gathering Place for Loyalty Members

  The Intercontinental Hotel Group has created a central online gathering place for its 40 million loyalty members.

• Agencies

  P&I Postscript

  RED MANGO: a purveyor of nonfat frozen yogurt has launched Club Mango, a customer loyalty program. The program rewards members with Mango Points that can be redeemed for free Red Mango products.