Chief Marketer Staff

• Fake Hand Grenades Spook Bulk Mail Center

  About 80 postal employees were evacuated and the bomb squad was summoned to the bulk mail facility located in Richmond, CA over the weekend, according to a local newspaper.

• People in the News

  Derek Apanovitch has been named vice president of marketing at Health Benefits Direct Corp. Apanovitch will be responsible for developing a multi-channel marketing strategy for this insurance direct marketer.

• Short Cuts

  Call center operator Five9 Inc. has arranged for U.S. telemarketing calls to be rerouted to call centers operated by BayanTel based in the Philippines, in event that a disaster disrupts operations at centers based in North America.

• Letters to the Editor

  LOL!!! Richard, thank you for a not only insightful but delightful column on the future as Ogilvy saw it 25 years ago. And special thanks for using the word “prognostications”.

• Agencies

  Mountain Dew Offers $7 Million in Prizes in DreamWorks Partnership

  Mountain Dew launched an under-the-cap promotion yesterday tied to the upcoming film “Transformers” that offers prizes valued at more than $7 million.

• Agencies

  Disney Hypes Up ‘Ratatouille’ Cheese Tour

  Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios are generating excitement around the upcoming film “Ratatouille” with a multi-city tour that lets fans get up close to the characters and storyline.

• Agencies

  Del Monte Introduces an Energy Drink

  Del Monte Foods is entering the energy drink business.

  Bloom Energy hit stores shelves this month, promoted as containing antioxidants, nutrients and a full serving of fruit.

• Agencies

  Malibu Rum Hires Vital Marketing for Major Hispanic Push

  Malibu Rum has named Vital Marketing as its agency of record for the Hispanic market.

  The experiential marketing agency will be tasked with creating a multifaceted national promotions program for the beverage, made by Pernod Ricard USA.

• Word of Mouth the Biggest Influence in B-to-B: Survey

  Business-to-business sales are more affected by conversations between executives than any other marketing tool.

• News Brief

  INFINITY PARTNERS: hired Eric Mower & Associates as agency of record for the upscale real estate developer.