Chief Marketer Staff

• Live From DMA08: DMA Forecast Sees Stronger 2009

  (Direct Newsline)—In direct marketing there is financial strength — at least, more so than for the economy at large. In 2009, U.S. sales will grow by 3.8%, to $30.96 trillion

• Agencies

  Hilton and Martell Pair for Exclusive Auction

  Hilton Hotels has partnered with cognac maker Martell in an auction that allows loyalty members to bid points for the “ultimate Martell experience.”

• Live From DMA08: Money Mailer Goes Mobile in Coupons Inc. Deal

  (Direct Newsline)—It’s not that Steven Gray wants the country to be suffering economic woes. But for his company’s portfolio of products it isn’t the worst thing in the world

• Agencies

  Citibank Sweeps Aims to Draw New Customers

  Citibank is trying to get more customers with a “Thanks-A-Million” sweepstakes, offering members in its ThankYou Network rewards program a chance to win 1 million rewards points

• Agencies

  Automaker Incentive Costs Show Annual Rise, Monthly Drop: Report

  The average cost of automaker incentives was $2,801 per vehicle sold in September, representing an 18% increase, $444 higher than the average cost in September 2007, according to a report from Edmunds.com

• Indie Mobile Retailers to Get Free Online Ads

  Ad-supported mobile content provider Myxer has launched a “$5 Million Giveaway” campaign

• Agencies

  Postscripts

  T.G.I. FRIDAY’S: restaurants have added another incentive to boost membership of its Give Me More Stripes Program

• News Brief

  ALL TERRAIN: aids Al Gore with a campaign to raise funds for We Can Solve It.org

• Live From DMA08: On the Block at the DMEF Dinner

  Concerned about the lack of direct marketing talent available today? It might look better in the near future, as the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation is all about “educating students today to enrich the direct/interactive marketing talent pool of tomorrow.”

• Accel-KKR Acquires the Endurance Group

  Accel-KKR, a private equity firm, has acquired the Endurance International Group Inc., an online marketing services firm.