http://www.dmnews.com/cara-wood/author/121/ Latest articles by Cara Wood from Direct Marketing News Direct Marketing News web@haymarketmedia.com no In some ways, small businesses were hit the hardest by the latest economic downturn. Heather Phillipson, online marketing manager at Overnightprints.com, says there are a number of ways small businesses can combat the tightening of budgets and the slowdown of consumer spending. http://www.dmnews.com/four-tips-for-small-business-marketing-in-a-poor-economy/article/176013/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:06 GMT In some ways, small businesses were hit the hardest by the latest economic downturn. Heather Phillipson, online marketing manager at Overnightprints.com, says there are a number of ways small businesses can combat the tightening of budgets and the slowdown of consumer spending. Direct Marketing News If your brand is not using social networks, what are you waiting for? There are benefits to using these (for the most part) free tools to enhance a brand's image, collect insightful customer feedback and influence online chatter about a brand, says Aaron Joslow, principal of Rally Point, a webinar and marketing firm. http://www.dmnews.com/six-social-media-platforms-that-brands-need-to-embrace/article/175999/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:46:58 GMT If your brand is not using social networks, what are you waiting for? There are benefits to using these (for the most part) free tools to enhance a brand's image, collect insightful customer feedback and influence online chatter about a brand, says Aaron Joslow, principal of Rally Point, a webinar and marketing firm. Direct Marketing News There is a lot that direct marketers can learn from sales techniques, says Amanda Lannert, president of Jellyvision Lab, an interactive firm. "My overall philosophy about communication is that if you are using a one-to-one rich media channel you should sound like a human being," she said. http://www.dmnews.com/three-ways-to-optimize-one-to-one-marketing/article/175993/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:37:16 GMT There is a lot that direct marketers can learn from sales techniques, says Amanda Lannert, president of Jellyvision Lab, an interactive firm. "My overall philosophy about communication is that if you are using a one-to-one rich media channel you should sound like a human being," she said. Direct Marketing News According to recent data from Coupons Inc., it's not just hard economic times that are spurring consumers' use of coupons. The company's latest trends data found that newspaper free-standing insert use was up 8.4% since last year, and digital coupon use on its own site increased 100% during the same time period. Most popular are offers on grocery items, particularly cereal brands, and women's fashion. http://www.dmnews.com/coupon-use-up-digital-coupon-use-booming/article/175288/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:59:00 GMT According to recent data from Coupons Inc., it's not just hard economic times that are spurring consumers' use of coupons. The company's latest trends data found that newspaper free-standing insert use was up 8.4% since last year, and digital coupon use on its own site increased 100% during the same time period. Most popular are offers on grocery items, particularly cereal brands, and women's fashion. Direct Marketing News Over the past 30 years, there have been incredible shifts in how telemarketing is because of technology and legislation. Outbound calls had their heyday in the early 90s, until rigorous growth was curbed due to the National Do Not Call Registry. http://www.dmnews.com/dialing-for-dollars/article/158530/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT Over the past 30 years, there have been incredible shifts in how telemarketing is because of technology and legislation. Outbound calls had their heyday in the early 90s, until rigorous growth was curbed due to the National Do Not Call Registry. Direct Marketing News Direct marketing analyst Mintel Comperemedia disclosed last week that 180 million credit card offers were sent to consumers last month, according to its research. That number is the highest monthly total tracked since last December and the first significant rise in mail volume all year, according to the company. http://www.dmnews.com/mail-volumes-begin-their-rebound-says-mintel/article/158345/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:32:08 GMT Direct marketing analyst Mintel Comperemedia disclosed last week that 180 million credit card offers were sent to consumers last month, according to its research. That number is the highest monthly total tracked since last December and the first significant rise in mail volume all year, according to the company. Direct Marketing News Nonprofit animal-rights group SPCA International is using the November 15 premiere of a documentary about Operation Baghdad Pups, a program that reunites members of the US Armed Forces with pets they befriended overseas, to connect with donors via e-mail blasts. http://www.dmnews.com/spca-international-improves-data-for-pup-saving-campaign/article/158060/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT Nonprofit animal-rights group SPCA International is using the November 15 premiere of a documentary about Operation Baghdad Pups, a program that reunites members of the US Armed Forces with pets they befriended overseas, to connect with donors via e-mail blasts. Direct Marketing News Visitors spend nearly twice as much time, an average of 60 seconds, hovering over rich media ads with video than rich media ads without video — which get an average of 30 seconds — according to a recent study conducted by Eyeblaster. The online advertising company analyzed more than 100 billion impressions from about 30,000 campaigns worldwide between the fourth quarter of 2008 through the third quarter of this year. http://www.dmnews.com/eyeblaster-study-touts-online-videos-benefit-in-time/article/158050/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:30:48 GMT Visitors spend nearly twice as much time, an average of 60 seconds, hovering over rich media ads with video than rich media ads without video — which get an average of 30 seconds — according to a recent study conducted by Eyeblaster. The online advertising company analyzed more than 100 billion impressions from about 30,000 campaigns worldwide between the fourth quarter of 2008 through the third quarter of this year. Direct Marketing News Marketers often cite cutting through the clutter as the goal of a new campaign — but how many of those messages are perceived as clutter themselves by consumers? According to a poll from the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council and InfoPrint Solutions Company, 41% of consumers say they would consider ending a brand relationship due to irrelevant promotions, and another 22% say they would definitely defect from the brand for that reason. http://www.dmnews.com/ad-noise-can-drown-brand-loyalty-says-cmo-council-study/article/157927/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:09:15 GMT Marketers often cite cutting through the clutter as the goal of a new campaign — but how many of those messages are perceived as clutter themselves by consumers? According to a poll from the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council and InfoPrint Solutions Company, 41% of consumers say they would consider ending a brand relationship due to irrelevant promotions, and another 22% say they would definitely defect from the brand for that reason. Direct Marketing News Publicis Groupe announced on November 16 the launch of MS&L Group, a services group that will mix various types of the holding company's firms. MS&L Worldwide, Publicis Consultants Worldwide, JKL, Winner & Associates, TMG Strategies, PBJS, Relay, Capital MS&L, Hanmer MS&L, Carré Noir, SAS, Masius and Publicis Events will make up the division. http://www.dmnews.com/publicis-to-launch-msl-group-division-to-integrate-marketing-services/article/157865/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:28:03 GMT Publicis Groupe announced on November 16 the launch of MS&L Group, a services group that will mix various types of the holding company's firms. MS&L Worldwide, Publicis Consultants Worldwide, JKL, Winner & Associates, TMG Strategies, PBJS, Relay, Capital MS&L, Hanmer MS&L, Carré Noir, SAS, Masius and Publicis Events will make up the division. Direct Marketing News