Q&As

A British postman suspended for telling his customers how to stop receiving unsolicited advertisements has been reinstated after a nationwide backlash against direct mail, according to wire service reports.

Very often, people outgrow the things that seemed crucially important when they were kids: building models, collecting baseball cards, riding horses. Putting aside the question of whether that’s a good thing, the same can be said of companies: sVery often, people outgrow the things that seemed crucially important when they were kids: building models, collecting baseball cards, riding horses. Putting aside the question of whether that’s a good thing, the same can be said of companies: sometimes the platforms and features that served them well at start-up just don’t satisfy their needs as they mature: sometimes the platforms and features that served them well at start-up just don’t satisfy their needs as they mature.

A few winters ago—in the wake of the New England Patriots Super Bowl win and the Red Sox World Series victory—a friend outside the marketing world asked me if the local teams’ good fortunes had any impact on direct marketing response rates in the region.

Here’s a bit of unsurprising news for Sunday afternoon television enthusiasts: Indiana Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is the National Football League’s “Most Marketable Player,” according to a survey of sports marketing and media executives.

The rivalry between New England and New York sports fans is well documented. If only because of where I was born (Rhode Island) and currently reside (Massachusetts), I’m part of Red Sox Nation.

For this winter’s Super Bowl XLI, Doritos is skipping the celebrity commercial route and inviting consumers to create their own ads celebrating their love of the tortilla chips.

With two young boys and lots of spare toys cluttering up her house, Shetal Patel thought she’d create a Web site where other young mothers could sell toys and other products they no longer needed. She also sought to create an online community for young mothers.

Back in 2004, Kara Richter knew she wanted to start an online business and bring high fashion to the not-so-high income.

She already knew it’s possible to rent things online as a friend of hers had started a Web site where golfers can rent out clubs.

When a new writer enters the copywriting game, he or she studies the masters to see what they did and how they approached their prospects. When I started in the business, I was referred to copy written by Eugene Schwartz, who wrote for Boardroom, Rodale and his own publishing business. He sold millions of dollars worth of books.

Sharper Image founder, CEO and most public face Richard Thalheimer has stepped down, with the Associated Press claiming he was ousted by his company’s board of directors. Jerry Levin, who led a group of dissident shareholders and gained a seat on the firm’s board in July, will serve as chairman and acting CEO, effective immediately.