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Consumer Behavior

Targeting Video Series: Richard April, VP marketing, AG Salesworks

Melissa Hoffmann February 15, 2012

Richard April, VP of marketing at AG Salesworks, and Melissa Hoffmann, news editor at Direct Marketing News discuss the ins and outs of customer targeting

Social Media Week panel looks at women's buying behavior

Alex Palmer February 14, 2012

Even as their means for sharing product information grows, female consumers continue to seek out relevant reviews and simple ways to access them, said members of a panel discussing "Insights and Predictions on Women's Buying Behavior."

Report: 90% of consumers worry about online privacy

Alex Palmer February 10, 2012

Ninety percent of U.S. adults worry about online privacy, while 41% do not trust most companies with their personal data, according to a Feb. 13 survey from TRUSTe. The report, the Consumer Confidence Edition, is the first installment of a quarterly index from the privacy management company.

Holiday sales increase, fall short of expectations

Melissa Hoffmann January 13, 2012

Total U.S. retail sales generated an estimated $400.6 billion in December, an increase of 6.5% compared with the same month last year, according to a Jan. 12 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Total sales for the 2011 calendar year increased 7.7% to $4.7 trillion compared with the prior year, the report said.

Axe campaign has fans collaboratively write graphic novel online

Dianna Dilworth January 10, 2012

Unilever launched a campaign with digital agency Razorfish to promote a new line of Axe body spray called Anarchy. The campaign centers around a YouTube-based graphic novel that is being written in real time, which the company is promoting through its Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

RichRelevance acquires Searchandise Commerce

Dianna Dilworth December 13, 2011

RichRelevance, a San Francisco-based retail marketing services company, has acquired Searchandise Commerce, a Beverly, Mass.-based retail search marketing services firm. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

TV, magazines most effective affluent marketing media: study

Tim Peterson September 13, 2011

Affluent consumers are more receptive to TV and magazine advertising than other media, according to a survey from market-research firm Ipsos Mendelsohn.

TRUSTe debuts privacy icon for video ads

Tim Peterson August 26, 2011

Online security firm Truste rolled out the Digital Advertising Alliance's "Advertising Option" icon to online-video and rich-media ads on August 26.

Affluent consumers more likely to share information online: study

Tim Peterson August 01, 2011

Affluent consumers are more willing to share their information online in exchange for a more personalized experience than the general population, according to a study released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) on August 1.

Listen to customer communities to build loyalty

Juan Martinez May 11, 2011

The key to building customer loyalty is listening to your customers. There's no point trying to manage customer relationships if you don't know what it is your customers need. One way to build customer relationships is by creating a brand community atmosphere that fosters customer interactions with peers as well as your business.

Marketers must adapt to consumers' values, social media: Adobe Omniture Summit 2011

Tim Peterson March 10, 2011

The financial crisis at the end of the last decade forced marketers to shift the core of their messaging to value and consumers' values, said John Gerzema, chief insights officer at Young & Rubicam. Brands that interact with consumers via social media are also thriving, he added.

Monster adds 'Do Not Track' setting to personal preferences

Juan Martinez January 28, 2011

Job website Monster.com added a setting on its Career Ad Network January 28 that allows consumers to control behavioral ad targeting. It is the latest example of a company relinquishing some control over online tracking by allowing consumers to determine their own preferences.

Microsoft says Internet Explorer 9 will include behavioral advertising opt-out

Juan Martinez December 08, 2010

Microsoft said December 7 that yet-to-be-released Web browser Internet Explorer 9 will allow consumers to identify and block "many forms of undesired tracking."

Schizophrenic buying habits?

Rose Gordon July 30, 2010

Fascinating article in Businessweek today about the "new abnormal" American consumer's purchasing behavior.

Sassy selects Crossbow as direct/social AOR

Kevin McKeefery July 15, 2010

Sassy Inc., makers of infant toys and other products, has named Crossbow Group its agency of record for direct marketing and social media.

IAB launches educational push

Dianna Dilworth December 11, 2009

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is conducting its first consumer-focused campaign to educate consumers about online privacy. The initiative, called "Privacy Matters," will run throughout 2010.

Mattel launches e-commerce portal for various brands

Mary Elizabeth Hurn October 22, 2009

Toy manufacturer Mattel has launched MattelShop.com, which has, in addition to traditional e-commerce features, social shopping tools and real-time updated content. Previously, Mattel brands like American Girl, Fisher-Price and Barbie Collector had their own e-commerce portals. This is the first time all of Mattel's brands are sold on one e-commerce site.

Top Tips: Planning a successful e-mail campaign for the holidays

Dianna Dilworth October 07, 2009

Holiday sales are more important than ever this year, as retailers gear up for the final quarter of this recession year. As marketers begin to plan their strategy for the holiday season, five seasoned e-mail marketing veterans share their tips on the best way to reach consumers through the inbox during the busy shopping season.

Industry execs welcome UPS insert marketing program

Frank Washkuch September 28, 2009

UPS stuck its toe into the direct marketing industry on September 28, beginning a test of its insert marketing service in five US metropolitan areas. Industry executives reacted to the program by saying that they do not feel threatened by the move, but are hopeful that UPS's brand cachet creates opportunities for them.