[Re: Direct Hit: Black September, Direct Newsline, Sept. 30, 2003]:
I, along with many thousands, enjoy the industry news you provide in your newsletter. Thank you for your hard work.
The “Black September” segment of your latest issue was an excellent listing of the lunacy surrounding the do-not-call fiasco. You raised my eyebrows, however, when you told of the “Massachusetts Republican” behind a bill for a state do-not-mail list. Nonsense indeed, but certainly no “right-wing conspiracy” (yes, I’m a conservative). I didn’t notice the political affiliations listed for anyone else– the management of JetBlue or Axciom, the judges, or the litany of lawyers involved. Liberal Democrats perhaps?
Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? And that’s the point–this isn’t a partisan issue, it’s just foolish. Pick most any issue you want lately, and you’ll find a generous helping of foolishness on all sides.
Anyway, I enjoy the newsletter. Keep us posted on the progress of the “Massachusetts lawmaker.”
Joe Duray
Director of Marketing
Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative
King Salmon, AK
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It was with interest that I read your commentary regarding the national do-not-call list. Having a major client in the telemarketing arena I am always on the lookout for additional information and thoughts on this sensitive subject.
There are two points that need to be reviewed:
You say: “We should listen when 50 million Americans determine that they don’t want to be shilled by phone.” I don’t even want to get into the implications you created when you used the word “shilled” although I am sure the proponents of the do-not-call list are glad you are on their bandwagon.
The real issue is that the do-not-call list did not balloon to 50 million until Congress, in their infinite wisdom, determined it was too difficult to register from your home phone number and allowed consumers to register via the internet. The only problem with that is anybody can register any phone number. You are right in the fact it is difficult to get two people to agree on anything. I do not think 50 million people have either.
The second issue is if we, as direct marketers, allow this to happen, we are allowing Congress and others to take our industry away from us. Do you think it will stop with telemarketing? If you do, you are kidding yourself.
It has already started. In fact you wrote about it: “A Massachusetts Republican is pushing a bill to create a state do-not-mail list. That’s right — postal mail”.
All of us in the industry, from list owners, mailers, list brokers and list managers, to editorial directors of Direct Newsline should be scared to death. Our industry is being stolen from us. We should be fighting for our industry instead of accepting the restrictions that will ultimately lead to our demise.
Jim Hall
Chilcutt Direct Marketing
Oklahoma City, OK
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