Chief Marketer Staff

• Why Poker Is a Safe Bet for Marketers

  Gambling is considered a major sin in many parts of the country, yet marketers are stepping up to back poker on television. The reasons that Moral Majority-type groups have not been picketing poker sponsors’ headquarters or calling for product boycotts could be of interest to marketers considering involvement with other “sinful” content.

• Department 56 to Acquire Lenox

  Department 56 Inc. will acquire collectibles direct marketer Lenox Inc. for $190 million.

• Drug Group Offers Preliminary DTC Ad Guidelines

  The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has released an outline of voluntary guidelines drug manufacturers should use when advertising prescription products to consumers.

• InfoUSA Board Taps Lazard to Mull Gupta Offer

  A special committee of the board of directors of InfoUSA Inc. has engaged Lazard as its financial advisor to assist it in evaluating CEO Vinod Gupta’s proposed acquisition of all of the shares of company stock that he does not own.

• Onit Names Vader Vice President of Marketing

  Onit Communications Inc., a provider of enhanced voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, has named Darren Vader vice president of marketing.

• New Products and Services

  ThomasNet CAD Library on CD-ROM: the latest version of he company’s specifying guide for industrial products

• List and Database News

  Crafter’s Showcase Over the past 12 months, 10,767 direct-mail-sold people have responded to craft-related offers. Selections: Gender, state/SCF/ZIP Price: $80/M Contact: List Locators and Managers, 913-338-5055 Modus Vivendi: Business Publications With …

• DMA Reaffirms Support for DNC List

  The Direct Marketing Association has reaffirmed its support for the federal Do Not Call list and has rejected claims by some consumer groups that businesses are trying to take advantage of loopholes in the law that would let them contact consumers who had signed up for the DNC.

• DMA Sets Up Deceased Do-Not-Contact List

  The Direct Marketing Association has set up its Deceased Do-Not-Contact List (DDNC).

• EBay Reports Income and Revenue Gains

  EBay Inc. reported net income of $291.6 million for the second quarter, up from $190.4 last year.