News

• Brookstone Launches Gardeners Eden Store, Web Site

  Brookstone Inc., Nashua, NH, had net income of $15.3 million for the 53-week year ended Feb. 3, compared to $13.3 million for the prior year. Sales jumped

• National Geographic Brings Member File to Market, Selects Direct Media as Manager

  National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, has made available for the first time its active membership file for list rental. The Society has chosen

• After Three Decades of In-House List Management, Meredith Taps ALC

  After managing its customer files in house for 28 years, Meredith Corp., New York, has chosen American List Counsel (ALC) Inc. to manage its lists of

• Lake Group Announces New Lists

  The Lake Group, Rye, NY, has five new-to-the-markets lists and has taken over management of two others. The new lists are: Autoweek Enhanced Masterfile

• Three Charged with Bilking Buyers on Ebay

  Three men who allegedly plotted to push up bids on eBay Inc.’s Internet auction site have been charged with bilking art buyers out of $450,000 for works

• Amazon.com and Wal-Mart Said to be in Talks

  Amazon.com Inc. shares surged more than 23% yesterday after rumors surfaced that the online retailer was in talks with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to form some kind of strategic e-commerce deal…

• CURMUDGEON-AT-LARGE: From Here to Obscurity

  The asterisk, that accursed punctuation mark, is flourishing again like a weed in a petunia patch. Perfectly matched to three-point type, it’s a cancer growing–and, damn it, thriving–as it eats away at the credibility of advertising messages.

• DIMAC Emerges From Chapter 11

  DIMAC Holdings Inc., Windsor, CT, has emerged from chapter 11 protection, following approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Wilmington, DE. The company,

• Catalog Production Moves J. Jill to Profitability

  The J. Jill Group Inc., Quincy, MA, had net sales of $246.3 million in 2000, down slightly from the $250.3 million recorded in 1999. The company had net

• Aptimus Lays Off 150 Employees as Company Restructures

  Aptimus, a direct marketing infrastructure provider, has laid off 150 employees out of 210, in an effort to cut expenses. About 60 employees remain at the Seattle-based company….