Agency - Page 1 - Direct Marketing News

Mobile Version / Subscribe / Back Issues / About Us / Contact Us / Advertise

Hacker Group specializes  according to client needs

Hacker Group hires individuals who are experts in a particular discipline instead of expecting its employees to be experts in strategizing across all channels. A focus on bottom-line metrics allows the company  to "get to know" its clients' businesses and determine what discipline would be the best fit, said Jill Kaufman,  VP of account services.

Draft's swift rise marked by agility

About a year after graduating from Wisconsin's Ripon College, Howard Draft was one of the 13 founding employees of new direct marketing agency Kobs & Brady.

Q&A: Lynn Fantom, chairman and CEO, ID Media

ID Media's chairman and CEO, Lynn Fantom, explains how technology has both leveled and complicated the playing field

Agencies eye growth in Asia-Pacific

Direct marketing agencies and service providers are looking to China and the Asia-Pacific region with renewed interest.

Q&A: Nicholas Platt, Rapp Los Angeles

Nicholas Platt, executive creative director at Rapp Los Angeles, talks about global marketing and teaching clients to take risk.

Rob Price, co-founder, ECD, Eleven

Agency veteran Rob Price speaks with Direct Marketing News about what it means to be a creative today

Marketing shifts to social media

T3's chief executive Gay Gaddis speaks about maintaining independence, agency culture and more

A conversation with Chris Paradysz, CEO, PM Digital

Chris Paradysz, CEO, PM Digital, discusses direct marketing trends with DMNews as we turn the calendar page.

Digital Insider: Patrick Moorhead, VP-director of mobile platforms, Draftfcb Chicago on mobile's growing prominence

Agency veteran Patrick Moorhead begins his new role as VP, director of mobile platforms at Draftfcb Chicago on December 7. Moorhead spoke with DMNews about mobile marketing's growing prominence in the marketing mix, as well as some of the difficulties marketers face integrating it with a multichannel strategy.

Game-Changing Brands

From AOL's mass-mailed diskettes and CD-ROMs to JetBlue's customer-retention efforts, most well-known US and international corporations have used direct marketing, e-commerce and digital efforts to engrain themselves in American popular culture.

Dialing for dollars

Over the past 30 years, there have been incredible shifts in how telemarketing is because of technology and legislation. Outbound calls had their heyday in the early 90s, until rigorous growth was curbed due to the National Do Not Call Registry.

Innovation in the inbox

Electronic mail — better known as e-mail — has  evolved since it was first used for marketing purposes back in the early 1990s. Mainly used as an acquisition  tool at the outset, it has blossomed to become one of  the most popular marketing channels.

Cataloging to multichannel retailing: A long, strange trip

The practice of marketing goods directly to consumers looked significantly different three decades ago — and credit cards, 1-800 numbers and the dawn of the Internet changed everything.

As the printing press turns

Advances in printing technology have already dramatically changed the face of direct mail in the past three decades. The biggest issue printers face now is finding a way to communicate what is possible to marketers.

The highs and lows of direct mail

Over the past 30 years, direct mail has seen tremendous growth due to worksharing and personalization. However, because the channel's growth has slowed recently, marketers are looking to innovate and cut costs further.

CRM initiatives balance privacy and relevance

In today's world, where consumer privacy and legislation is a hot topic — especially with the proliferation of digital channels — there's one thing that all marketing executives can agree on: properly managing the consumer process from prospect, to lead, to sale can make or break a business.

Direct 'Mad Men' talk of transformation

Direct marketing takes the spotlight as the importance of data rises and the Internet transforms agency process and infrastructure

Connecting to the customer: A conversation on the future of direct and digital

DMNews' Cara Wood and Carol Krol sat down with marketing leaders in November 2009 to discuss how direct and digital channels are positioned to move companies ahead in 2010 and beyond.

Time nears to rename discipline

In an interview, DM legend Stan Rapp discusses how direct and digital marketing are evolving to meet marketers' needs — and how this may lead to a different term for the industry.

Spotlight: Kristi VandenBosch, CEO of Publicis & Hal Riney

New Publicis & Hal Riney CEO Kristi VandenBosch, formerly president of integrated agency Tequila, is excited to bring her digital and direct background to the traditional brand-focused agency.

Toolbox: Optimizing press releases for search engines, why you should translate e-commerce and more

Incorporate keywords into press releases, remember that consumers prefer to be spoken to in their own language, don't fear a dialogue with consumers, and informercials are a good investment in the down economy.

Spotlight: Tim O'Leary, CEO, R2C Group

Tim O'Leary, co-founder and CEO of Portland-based agency R2C Group, on how DRTV has flourished in the recession, teaching corporate marketers about what DRTV offers and more.

4 Tips: Twitter marketing

Twitter is everywhere and chock-full of consumers - so more and more marketers want to get on the Tweeting bandwagon. But how can you be sure you're making the most of your microblogging efforts? Four experts share their top tips

DMNews talks with Damian Bazadona, president of Situation Interactive

Damian Bazadona, president of digital agency Situation Interactive, discusses a multi-pronged mobile campaign the agency did over the past six months for Blue Man Group.

Betting on innovation

BBDO's Robertson talks about the impetus behind the agency's growth strategy

DMNews talks with Tom Bedecarre, CEO of AKQA

Tom Bedecarre, CEO of AKQA speaks with DMNews about the growth of digital as accountability becomes ever more important in tight times.

The buzz on b-to-b

Today's b-to-b marketers face big challenges. We asked four b-to-b agency executives what their clients need and expect.

Better CRM begins with education

Euro RSCG Discover's Raj thinks DM could benefit from more experience in CRM

The integration of Enfatico

For Dell — its top and currently only client — thebuilt-from-scratch agency takes its philosophy of global integration, analytics and efficiency to heart

DMNews talks with Brand New World CEO Alan Feldenkris

Alan Feldenkris, CEO of Brand New World, discusses a viral migraine awareness campaign he did for Johnson & Johnson.

Getting to Know: Alexandra von Plato, chief creative officer at Digitas Health

Alexandra von Plato, EVP and chief creative officer at Digitas Health, discusses her career path and the day-to-day intricacies of her job

Using measurability to make strong agency connections

Engauge's Crawford explains how she brings things together for her agency

What agencies wish marketers knew

DMNews asked five top agency executives what they wish marketers knew about working with a direct or digital agency - that they typically don't.

Going global with international search

Search marketing is a global endeavor — after all, your potential customers can come from anywhere around the world. Four experts share tips on how to optimize your international search campaign.

Boone the new kid on the block at Enfatico

Enfatico's Boone on his six months at the Dell-focused agency.

Meeting of the minds

Vertis' DuBose discusses convergence of companies — and media

Marketing, Chicago style

Euro RSCG's Bess on millennials, the holidays and more

Integrating traditional DM

Rapp's Paul Price talks about the outlook agency in a digital world.

Planning for agency success

Strategic planners are the data-diggers of the agency world — Sharon Goldman chats with three leaders in this exciting sector.

DMNews talks with Sarah Superfon, director of interactive marketing and direct response at Philosophy

Sarah Superfon, director of interactive marketing and direct response at Philosophy, discusses how the beauty brand used user-generated storytelling to bring mothers and daughters together.

The converging agency

Publicis' Farrell discusses his view of direct agencies.

Few, proud and social

The Marines' Internet marketing is increasingly focused on social media.

Power market

A booming population and growing spending strength means US Hispanics are a prime target for smart marketers.

Web Exclusive: "Conference Call" with Digitas, InterContinental Hotels Group and Communispace

Digital agency Digitas recently enlisted Communispace, a company which creates private online communities to connect businesses and customers, to help optimize InterContinental Hotels Group's loyalty program through the power of consumer feedback. The responses have led to specific changes at IHG, including in their customer materials.

How you can highlight the 'R' in CRM

Customer relationship management may be a highly technical sector, but it has a touchy-feely core. Four experts share how CRM can help you connect organically with customers.

DMNews talks with Adam Lefton, director of Web strategy for Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Adam Lefton, director of Web strategy for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, discusses how search helped people looking for cancer treatment information.

DMNews talks with Dan Jones, VP of channel development at SmartReply

This March, Dan Jones, VP of channel development at SmartReply, worked on a month-long voice and direct mail campaign to help drive repeat visits to meal preparation franchise Dream Dinners.

Conference Call: Bausch & Lomb and Digital Pulp

Kicking off "Conference Call," DMNews' new online exclusive feature series, Kevin McKeefery chats with Gene Lewis, partner and director of Web site development at agency Digital Pulp; and Kimberly Jones, senior manager, interactive marketing at leading eye care supplier Bausch & Lomb. The two companies have worked together since 2005 on online marketing and Web sites for the brand - both primary sites and microsites for initiatives and partnerships. Jones and Lewis discuss Bausch & Lomb's current efforts as well as the evolution of their working relationship.

DMNews talks with Jackie Heitman, SVP of marketing at Bresnan Communications

Jackie Heitman, SVP of marketing at Bresnan Communications, helped the broadband telecommunications company drive direct mail results using a new marketing platform from Pluris.

DMNews talks with Mark Hardison, VP of marketing for restaurant El Pollo Loco

Mark Hardison, VP of marketing for Mexican-inspired fast food restaurant El Pollo Loco, explains how the chain was able to connect on a social level to engage consumers with a user-generated video campaign.

Spotlight Conversation: Reaching the inattentive

B Direct's MacAron reflects on the changing customer.

The game changers: Online exclusive

Five more agency leaders share their thoughts on direct marketing's evolution

The game changers

Five agency leaders who embrace DM's evolution — and are ready to play at the next level.

Spotlight conversation: To affinity and beyond

North American Media Group's Brandt champions her channel.

DMNews speaks with Dan Jones, VP of events, Intersport

Dan Jones, VP of events for Chicago-based event marketing firm Intersport, worked with GMC's Southeast division to promote test drives for its line of Sierra trucks across Tennessee.

DMNews talks with Steve Jacobs, president of AdPack USA

Steve Jacobs, president of AdPack USA, worked with the producers of Legally Blonde: The Musical to help boost ticket sales following last November's strike on Broadway.

Spotlight conversation: Rules of digital engagement

Engauge Digital's Hilimire talks about the evolving digital agency.

Learn the top rules of recruitment

When it comes to attracting DM managers and executives, demand exceeds supply. Four experts discuss how to make sure your company wins the war for the strongest talent.

Creative solutions from Schlotzsky's, Range Rover and Emkay

Integrated promotion a winner for Schlotzsky's; Range Rover mobile efforts target drivers; and Emkay leads roll in with wheel chart.

DMNews spends a few minutes with Mark Garms, SVP, dealer operations and strategy at Autobytel Inc.

Mark Garms discusses Autobytel's Rapid Response tool, which allows auto dealers to respond more quickly to leads.

Spotlight conversation with Paul McNulty, CMO of Unica Corp.

Paul McNulty talks with DMNews about technology and software marketing.

DMNews spends a few minutes with Ernan Roman, president of Ernan Roman Direct Marketing

Ernan Roman discusses the role of customer engagement in the PHI's latest promotional campaign.

What are best hiring practices for outsourcing?

As advances in technology and communication take place, businesses are growing more comfortable looking outside of their local areas for the best technology talent. However, managing a global remote team poses many complexities. So while there will always be some bumps in the road when hiring a remote team, a few tips can make the process much smoother.

DMNews spends a few minutes with Russell Glass of ZoomInfo

Zoominfo SVP and general manager of advertising products Russell Glass discusses the company's use of the Rubicon Project.

How can small suburban agencies attract top talent from their larger urban counterparts?

The challenge of smaller suburban companies is to turn the perceived negatives of working off the main drag, so to speak, into positives in order to attract top-level talent.

GLOVES OFF: Focus spend on retention or acquisition?

CONTENDERS: Donovan Neale-May - Founder and executive director, CMO Council; president, Neale-May & Partners and Tom Cates, President and founder, The Brookeside Group, discuss best practices of allocating marketing capital.

A narrow view and widgets work for social networks

Last month, AmericaSkiing.com, a Web site for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, announced a new social networking site designed exclusively for the skiing and snowboarding industry. It was one of many social networks aimed at a niche market that launched during the past year.