DM Employment Shows Slight Signs Of Improvement

The most recent direct marketing employment survey from Bernhart Associates Executive Search LLC contains a few faint glimmers of hope.

For the third quarter in a row, the number of companies reporting layoffs declined, and 20% of respondents anticipate adding staff during the summer, up from 16% of those surveyed during the spring. Only 8% anticipate layoffs, down from 13% during last quarter and 20% at the start of 2009.

Overall, the number of companies that reported hiring freezes held steady at 30%. Among direct marketing agencies, 44% said they didn