The Direct Marketing Club of New York is in talks to become a chapter of the Direct Marketing Association.
Vito Fortuna, recently elected president of the club, said yesterday that board members have discussed joining the DMA for several weeks. Fortuna contacted DMA officials, who expressed interest, but the association said that no deal has been made.
Founded 62 years ago, the DMCNY is a networking organization for direct marketers in the tri-state area. The club has 250 active members, down from 1,000 three years ago. If it became a DMA chapter, Fortuna said, member dues would rise but still would be much lower than if DMCNY members joined the DMA individually.
Fortuna thinks there may be opposition from members who want the club to remain independent. The board is to meet March 26, at which time a vote may be called.
“I haven't dug into the pros and cons yet,” said Ruth P. Stevens, first vice president of the DMCNY. “I'm waiting to hear both sides of the argument.”
There are seven official DMA chapters: Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida, Northern California, Seattle, Southern California and Southern Ohio.
