Q&As

Big-name brands are boosting the holiday spirit with rebate offers tied to Classic Media’s re-release of animated Christmas DVDs, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, Frosty the Snowman, The Legend of Frosty the Snowman, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol and Cricket on the Hearth.

Today we meet David Brill, vice president of list brokerage and management at Listdata. Brill entered the list business 21 years ago straight out of the University at Buffalo, NY.

Blair Corp., an apparel and home products marketer, will close its leased Returns Center in Erie, PA, and move all returns operations to the Blair Distribution Complex in Irvine, PA., which is located approximately seven miles from its Warren headquarters.

Third quarter net sales for Tiffany & Co. rose 10% above third-quarter 2005’s level, to $547.8 million. Net earnings for the quarter jumped 23%, to $29.1 million, but the quarter’s earnings included sale of investments.

Direct marketing services provider Inktel Direct has named Manny Hernandez corporate controller.

Sears Holding Corp. has added a cause-marketing overlay to its holiday shopping site, ReadySetHoliday.com.

In the last few years, marketing accountability has evolved from being a directive of industry analysts and thought leaders to become a full-fledged strategic imperative for corporations.

Before we even spoke with Cathy Fultineer, executive vice president, sales and marketing for Harry & David, we knew the answer to our first question. She had to reschedule the interview twice, because the holidays are definitely the busiest time of year for the Medford, OR-based food and gift marketer.

Sure, as usual, this year Starbucks changed its coffee cup color to red to signal the start of the holiday season. But it went beyond cups this year with ItsRedAgain.com and the accompanying Cheer Pass campaign, an effort to spread holiday good will to customers and encourage them to pass it on. Brad Stevens, vice president U.S. marketing (favorite holiday drink: peppermint mocha) talked with CM Plus recently via e-mail about the Cheer Pass initiative.

Sure, you know what Santa Claus does in December. But did you ever wonder where he goes in the off-season? You can always find him at Santa’s Village, a Jefferson, NH Christmas-themed amusement park.