A substantial fourth-quarter loss led retail bookseller Borders Group yesterday to announce a major strategic shift, including a new concept store and a comprehensive e-commerce Web site.

Membership services direct marketer Affinion Group Inc. reported on Thursday that its net revenues for the 2006 fiscal year decreased by $73.6 million, compared to the previous year. It reported $1.1 billion in net revenues for 2006.

Loyalty Lab, Inc., an on-demand loyalty and customer relationship systems provider, has named veteran veteran direct marketer George Wiedemann to its board of directors.

DMA Financial Services Council to Honor Gerber Life Insurance Company President & CEO, Wes Protheroe and Wells Fargo Consumer Credit Group

The Direct Marketing Association's Financial Services Council has selected Wesley D. Protheroe, president and CEO of Germer Life Insurance Co. as its Direct Marketer of the Year, and Wells Fargo Consumer Credit Group as its Company of the Year.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is giving online auction sites like eBay a run for its money. The hotel chain's Starwood Preferred Guest program is letting loyalty club members use their Starpoints for bid on exclusive experiences.

Arby’s is planning to give away 1.5 million discount cards to drive trial and repeat business.

Borders has named former Barnes & Noble marketing executive Jessica J. Harley to vice president, acquisition and retention marketing.

Borders Group Inc. has appointed Jessica J. Harley vice president of acquisition and retention marketing. In the post, Harley will take responsibility for all efforts to acquire new customers and expand business with current ones, including optimization of the Ann Arbor MI bookseller's Borders Rewards loyalty program

New York, NY, March 13, 2007 - The secrets behind the ultimate marketing mix for today's multichannel merchants will be abundant at several forums presented at the upcoming Annual Conference for...