With marketing budgets dwindling, the direct mail channel is still a valuable opportunity for travel and tourism marketers.

Search marketing tool provider WordStream today announced the release of a new online search engine marketing and search engine optimization application used to enhance search campaigns.

Google reported an 18% increase in fourth quarter earnings over the same period last year. The search giant released its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008 earnings this afternoon during a conference call with investors. The leader in search market share reported revenues of $5.7 billion for the quarter, which ended December 31, compared to $4.83 billion for the same period last year.

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

Social networks such as Linked-In and Facebook have long been used for developing personal and professional connections online.

MediaCom London, using Eyeblaster's Ad Campaign Manager (ACM) and Channel Connect for Mobile, has launched a third-party-served mobile campaign promoting mobile operator T-Mobile across the Nokia Media Network. Eyeblaster's new solution Channel Connect for Mobile allows MediaCom to serve ads to many different mobile publishers and accept third-party delivery information, cross channel updates and real-time optimization.

Google and Procter & Gamble (P&G) have been swapping employees since earlier this year in an effort to foster creativity and establish a mutual relationship. Since January, about 24 employees from Google and P&G have been sitting in on each other's business meetings while brainstorming and offering outsider opinions and ideas.

Database marketing agency Merkle has announced that the Arthritis Foundation, the largest private nonprofit organization devoted to arthritis research, has renewed its marketing contract. Merkle will continue to provide database management, strategic advice, printing, mailing response and list support and fundraising insight among other services for the Atlanta-based Arthritis Foundation.