Q&As

Dolphin Limited Partnership, a Stamford, CT-based investment firm, has requested “books and records” pertaining to infoUSA’s activities, as well as those of its officers and directors. Dolphin holds 1.2 million shares, or around 2.2%, of the Omaha, NE-based data firm’s stock.

InfoUSA CEO Vinod Gupta was unavailable for comment at deadline.

Dallas retailer CompUSA has launched CompUSA Network for Business, a loyalty program for the SO/HO market. It awards points at a rate of 13 for every dollar spent.

iKnowtoin, a marketing and analytic consultancy, has promoted Michael McGuirk.

Letters in response to “Loose Cannon: Because They Can,” Direct Newsline, Sept. 19, 2005

Pontiac has once again partnered with a major TV show, this time, CBS’ hit show Survivor to showcase its new Pontiac Torrent SUV. Pontiac is the sole auto sponsor of the series. During the launch last Thursday night of Survivor Guatemala— Maya Empire, …

Yahoo and mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network, are partnering for a new, mini-reality series on long distance dating, in which viewers can vote on their favorite couple and send them on a two-week trip to Europe. The show, IMU: I Miss You …

Simon Properties will host the Care Bears for a two-day blitz in 88 malls in November. The event, timed to National Care Week, targets preschool members of Simon’s Kidgits Club. The Nov. 5-6 promotion brings costumed Care Bears to Simon malls in 35 …

Starz Entertainment is rolling out a new sweepstakes tied to the TV premiere of the Walt Disney Pictures smash The Incredibles, offering a grand-prize trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Consumers who watch The Incredibles on Starz, …

Letters in response to “Loose Cannon: Because They Can”, Direct Newsline, Sept. 19, 2005

Last week, New York City hosted several hotly contested primary races. Now, in primary elections candidates typically rely on rallying party faithful – which means the more one has participated in the past, the higher one’s name is on the electorate sucker lists used by candidates.

What makes this especially galling is that one of the most frequently used – I’ll even say abused – mediums is telemarketing. Remember telemarketing? That’s the medium most of these folks, once we vote them into office, inveigh against.