Q&As

Spending on gift cards is expected to hit $52.2 billion by 2012, up from $40 billion this year, according to a new Packaged Facts report.

BURGER KING: is distributing I-Dog toys as premiums in its Kids Meals.

Customer relationship programs fail at an alarming rate — 70%, said Devyani Sadh, quoting industry statistics.

So why bother? Why go through the headaches of setting up a database marketing system at all?

Restoration Hardware Inc. has reported that a significant share of its revenues have shifted from retail to direct marketing sales.

People can create their own dancing elves at http://ElfYourself.com by adding faces to the animated character. Visitors can load up to four images to send on to friends and family. Voices can be added by calling a toll-free number to record a message.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. and Lifetime Television are promoting a new film set in Puerto Rico, with a trip to the island.

It

The biggest and most multinational companies regularly sell their wares across many markets. The best use locally savvy channels and Web sites to make themselves known, sell and support their products wherever they sell them. But one thing is clear: There’s an infinite amount of opportunity, but a limited pool of resources to do the work.

Ever since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, marketers typically haven’t been slow in using new technologies to keep customers informed. So it’s a bit surprising that RSS remains a niche tool.

Boingo Wireless