The job market for direct and digital marketers is recovering more quickly than the rest of the nation, according to statistics released on October 13 by executive placement firm Bernhart Associates. The survey, which tallied the responses of 359 companies from September 28 to October 12, found that 30% of respondents said they will add staff members during the remainder of 2009, up 10% from the third quarter.

Pitney Bowes filed suit against Zumbox in California Central District Court this month, alleging that Zumbox's Web-based mail system infringes on three of its patents. The suit seeks to stop Zumbox from using technology that Pitney Bowes claims is related to the patents.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is using a suite of Twitter, Facebook and iPhone applications to enhance its Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) loyalty program. The social media tools, which can also be downloaded by non-members, include SPG TripShare, a Facebook photo application developed with Buddy Media.

Outdoor gear multichannel retailer Cabela's has selected Webtrends as its analytics vendor, replacing Coremetrics. A key factor in Cabela's decision to hire Webtrends was the firm's ability to give the retailer free access to its data through an open API framework.

E-mail marketing service providers announced new platforms this week that take advantage of consumers' appetite for social media. For one, ExactTarget announced it will release a tool that integrates e-mail marketing capabilities into Twitter.

Men are discerning consumers of personal care products, and marketers find direct tactics are effective ways to reach them

E-commerce retailers have long been frustrated with consumers' propensity to fill an online shopping cart, only to get cold feet at the checkout screen. Four experts offer potential solutions to this problem

Omniture is a data company that works with hundreds of technology vendors, including ExactTarget and Silverpop to help combine data with digital channels. It recently partnered with ComScore to help media planners have better audience measurement tools. DMNews chats with Matt Langie, senior director of product marketing at Omniture, about data integration, behavioral targeting legislation and the new partnership

New list — Knee Deep In Debt — Whitestone Data — This file contains people who are behind on their bills. These individuals have all filled out a questionnaire indicating this. Their average age is 35 and their average income is $38,550.

New list — Best Home Paycheck Biz Op Buyers — Jara List Management Inc. — This file contains buyers of a home-based business information kit. All have paid $49.95 by credit card. The file is 65% male.

New list — Home Sweet Homeowner Details — ListAbility Inc. — This file contains people who own their own homes. Demographic, property value and mortgage information is available. It is collected from local authorities.