Dianna Dilworth

Harte-Hanks' fourth-quarter direct marketing revenue decreased by 3.6% to $168 million, but the annual adjusted revenue for direct marketing was up 5.1% to $23.8 million, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth, the agency said in an earnings statement.

Netflix said Jan. 25 that it saw $876 million in global revenue in Q4, a year-over-year increase of 47%, although it spent nearly 60% less on marketing in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of the prior year.

FYI Direct is launching an integrated campaign for its FreeScore.com brand, a company that gives free credit scores online. Two new TV commercials will begin airing on Feb. 6 along with online efforts.

The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) has hired direct marketing veteran David Kenny as its new chairman and CEO, effective immediately, the company said.

Twitter has acquired a Web security startup company called Dasient, in a deal whose terms were not disclosed.

Chief marketing officers want greater influence in business strategy and to improve their understanding of technology, according to a new global CMO survey by Heidrick & Struggles and Forrester Research.

Tablet users who visited e-commerce websites in 2011 spent 54% more per purchase than smartphone visitors and 21% more than desktop or laptop visitors, according to a Jan. 19 report by Adobe Systems.

Marketing executive Neil Ashe has joined Wal-mart Stores as president and CEO of the company's global e-commerce business. Ashe is replacing Eduardo Castro-Wright, who is retiring but who will assist in the transition, the retailer confirmed Jan. 17.

Bank of America is looking for a new agency to focus on the company's brand positioning, a person close to the review told Direct Marketing News.

Marketing services agency SolutionSet MediaWhiz Partnership merged with D.L. Ryan Companies, an independent promotions and digital marketing agency, to form the Hyper Marketing Incorporated Network (HMI).