Chief Marketer Staff

• Extortionists Threaten to Release Prescription Data: Report

  A large manager of prescription benefits has charged that extortionists have threatened to disclose medical information on its customers if the company fails to meet payment demands.

• Silver Apple Awards Presented in New York

  Silver Apple Awards were presented by the Direct Marketing Club of New York to several industry leaders at a ceremony Friday.

• Listline e-Newsletter 11/07

  List Bargains offers this list of 6 million consumers and businesses identified as prospects for insurance offers based on life trigger
  events

• Kmart Calls on Disney Magic, Layaway to Charm Holiday Sales

  As part of its new strategy to get shoppers coming into its stores and to its Web site early and often, retailer Kmart last Sunday launched a Disney “Wish & You Could Win” sweepstakes game that will extend until Christmas Eve.

• Agencies

  Bravo Brings New Sponsor Menu to ‘Top Chef’

  Bravo has added two new sponsors to the mix for its “Top Chef” popular cable TV reality series: Quaker and Swanson Broth.

• Samsung Washers and Dryers Site Gets Thousands of Members

  Since Samsung Electronics America, Inc. launched its online social network for moms that’s all about doing laundry, and learning about its washers and dryers, more than 17,000 people have registered.

• Fallon Minneapolis Hires Dave Damman as Creative Director

  Dave Damman is making a return appearance at Fallon Minneapolis. Beginning next week he will be a group creative director for the agency.

• News Brief

  CBS CONSUMER PRODUCTS: a division of CBS Entertainment, and Mattel has formed a partnership to create products based on “90210,” the new hit drama from CBS Paramount Network Television

• Agencies

  Credit Card Direct Mail Volume Falls 28%

  The total estimated direct mail volume for credit card acquisition offers reached only 1.34 billion during the third quarter, a 28% decrease from last year, according to market research firm Mintel Comperemedia.

• Agencies

  Yankee Candle Posts Income Gain

  The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. posted net income of $6.7 million for the third quarter, an increase over $3.2 million in the prior year.