Q&As

Letters in response to “Loose Cannon: Twelve Quatrains on Four Quarters for 2005, Direct Newsline, February 21, 2006”

Best Western International and MasterCard International have teamed up to send a loyalty program member and a guest to Germany this summer for the 2006 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, and a special meeting with Hall of Fame soccer superstar, Pelé.

Coupons, Inc. has bought a patent from the American Consulting Co. enabling it to deepen its footprint in the online coupon industry.

Crown Royal is out with a line of limited-edition packaging tied to its association with NASCAR.

SOCIETY OF INCENTIVE & TRAVEL EXECUTIVES: (SITE) has opened its first regional office in Europe. The office

After years of legal wrangling, Gillette and Schick have reportedly reached a settlement that puts an end to the majority of long-running disputes over patents and advertising claims.

RadioShack Corp. will close 400 to 700 stores as part of its plan to turn around slow sales growth.

Last week represented a personal milestone: I managed to make it through seven consecutive days without writing “2005” on any check, form, or other note I was scribbling.

In honor of — finally — putting 2005 to rest, I offer the following verses on some of the more noteworthy direct marketing events of the year. If they seem skewed toward one specific subject… well, so was most of the year itself.

Draft Inc. is backing one of its top executives, who has been named in a sexual abuse lawsuit stemming from an alleged relationship that took place more than 30 years ago.

JCPenney is set to open a virtual store in New York City where customers can purchase the company’s products at interactive kiosks in a spectacular initiative the company said is its largest branding event ever.