Macy's Inc. will consolidate three divisions and focus more heavily on the needs of local markets in an effort to accelerate same-store sales growth and reduce expenses.

AOL has acquired independent affiliate network Buy.at. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Buy.at is the fifth advertising acquisition AOL has made in the past year.

With 24 states voting in primaries on February 5, candidates took advantage of highly geo-targeted online search marketing campaigns, according to Peter Greenberger, team manager, elections and issue advocacy at Google.

SearchIgnite, a search- and auction-based media technology provider, has struck multiyear agreements with CyberAgent and Septeni, two Japanese search and digital marketing advertising agencies.

Edith Roman Associates Inc. has been awarded list management of the GSN: Government Security News postal file of 49,339 subscribers. The company's e-mail division, ePostDirect, will manage 12,029 e-mail addresses.

DMNews is seeking submissions for its upcoming 2008 DMNews Deliver, which will be published in on March 10, 2008. In a climate of changing postal regulations and mail legislation, as well as consumer environmental concerns and an uncertain economy, today's marketers need to carefully consider every aspect of sending a direct mail piece — from technological developments in production and printing, to improvements in data quality, the development of creative campaigns, and optimal fulfillment practices.

David Williams, president and CEO of Merkle (l) says that the economy will lead to falling M&A activity during the remainder of the year, while Leon Henry says that "a lot of the cream has been picked off."

DMNews talks with Jean-Philippe Maheu about the effect of digital marketing on the industry and consumers.

NEW MANAGEMENT - Statlistics - Description: This file contains subscribers to financial magazine Barron's. These include investors, institutional investors, financial professionals, and senior corporate decision-makers.

INSERTS - Kroll Direct Marketing - Description: The CN Executive Guide is an annual publication which readies key decision makers responsible for food service in each K-12 public and private school and state institution in the US. According to the USDA, these subscribers collectively purchase more than $12 billion in food annually. Outserts are positioned on top of the poly-bagged publication. Inserts such as business reply cards or full-page space ads can be bound in the publication.

NEW LISTS - Adrea Rubin Management - Description: This file contains Figi's Gallery customers: buyers of home décor, bedding, housewares, jewelry, garden accents, apparel, collectibles and gifts.

NEW LISTS - Names and Addresses - Description: This file contains at-home hobby craftsmen who enjoy wood carving, scrolling, woodturning and furniture building. Each issue of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts, Woodcarving Illustrated and Fox Chapel books has information for amateur and professional woodcarvers.

NEW LISTS - The Catamount Group - Description: This file contains brides to be and new brides with the Happily Ever After; Newly Engaged & Newlywed file. These women have filled out space ads from bridal publications with their wedding date and contact information in exchange for sample party favors and wedding invitations.

NEW LISTS - eTargetMedia.com Inc. - Description: This file contains consumers that have expressed an interest in home repair, home renovation, interior decor, outdoor landscaping and do-it-yourself projects. These subscribers have provided demographic and lifestyle information and are eager to receive information regarding all their areas of interest.