Q&As

First, the obvious. When marketers were asked which one campaign metric was most valuable in determining ROI for their data-driven campaigns, near-equal numbers cited increasing their total number of customers, a rise in top-line revenue and a jump in bottom-line profits, according to Direct magazine’s most recent survey of database practices.

Marketers will spend an average of nearly a quarter-million dollars to upgrade their databases, according to a survey of Direct magazine’s readers. Will the investment pay for itself?

As Internet business owners, we are bombarded with advice on how to manage, market and grow our businesses. Because of the sheer volume of information, we are forced to weed through the “need to know” versus the “nice to know.”

What’s the biggest hit to your customer service ROI? No surprise: It’s personnel costs, according to a new survey.

Eastman Kodak Co. has all guns blazing for its mega-promotion around one of the summer’s most anticipated films, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The company has prepared a host of movie-themed promotions and sweepstakes prizes.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is out with a new loyalty program that rewards customers with points to earn free food.

kicks off, and will likely get it by offering radio listeners 40 consecutive days of commercial free radio, as well as carpeting several New England states with promotions and samples.

Big Idea, Inc. is rolling out a host of promotions around its upcoming DVD release of VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple, signing on Tyson, Braum’s and Minor League Baseball as promotional partners. The DVD, which hits retail stores Aug. 1, is the brand’s latest LarryBoy episode in seven years.

Skyy Spirits is reading its largest promotion to date in a bid to build buzz and business around its portfolio of spirits.

Dodge is sending nine college students packing for a road trip from their collegiate towns to Miami to promote the 2007 Caliber brand, and to earn money for charity.