With a language all its own, the world of database marketing can be a jargon-filled journey. But if you don't know a compiled list from a custom select, don't worry — Jonathan Mack presents the lowdown on lists- and database-speak right here.

Rodale Inc. will close men's magazine Best Life after the May issue, according to reports. "Despite the great work of the sales team and the talent of the editorial staff, given the challenges of the advertising market and general conditions, Best Life could not meet our internal benchmarks, and we have made the decision to focus our resources on our core brands," said Steven Pleshette Murphy, president and CEO of Rodale Inc., in a statement.

TV spend still rules, but direct marketing efforts, particularly digital, have gained an increasing share of OTC drug advertising budgets

Database provider and marketer InfoGroup today signed a new and expanded long-term agreement with integrated marketing provider Alterian. Alterian and InfoGroup have been partners since 2001.

Magazines must make the content on their sites more relevant to better engage and keep their customers, said one industry expert at today's Magazine Publishers of America's (MPA) Magazines 24/7 digital conference. The conference, the fifth of its kind, focused on the magazine industry's foray into the digital space as a way to reach customers.

I was recently sent a renewal postcard by New York Magazine and I was faced with a difficult decision. I was not the question you might expect, "Should I renew my subscription or not?" Instead I wondered, "Am I done with magazines forever or do they still serve a purpose in my life?"