This seems to be becoming a weekly occurrence. From The New York Times: The TJX Companies, the retailer that operates the T. J. Maxx and Marshalls discount clothing chains, has joined the ignominious list of companies that have had sensitive customer financial data pilfered by identity thieves. Yesterday the company, based in Framingham, Mass., said that as early as 2003 and during most of last year, an intruder had …
Hypertargeting a.k.a. Stalking
The Wall Street Journal looks at Unisys' attempt to reach key influencers. Advertising has long been a game of pitches to the masses, an approach still employed by makers of soda and fast food, among many others. Increasingly however, marketers who sell to other businesses are recognizing that aiming their advertising more narrowly can be more effective at driving sales. According to the story, around 20 …
Direct Mail May Not Be Sexy But It’s Still A Growth Biz
Even The New York Times calls it junk mail: Over the last year, marketers sent more than 114 billion pieces of direct mail — catalogues, credit card solicitations, coupons and the like — an increase of roughly 15 percent from five years ago, according to the United States Postal Service. And in the last year, for the first time, the volume of bulk mail, which is all direct mail, exceeded first class. Advertisers like …
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Price Will Always Play
In today's paper, New York Times takes a look at the lowly coupon and its place in the world. An estimated 99 percent of the roughly 300 billion coupons distributed annually in the United States — mainly in Sunday newspapers — end up in the trash, unused and unredeemed. “The paper coupon is the single most inefficient marketing tool you could imagine,” said Peter Sealey, a former chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola …
Now, Even Those With No Web Site Can Feel Warmth Of Google’s Glow
USA Today reports on Google's attempt to reach small businesses with no web presence. Internet search giant Google on Monday night began offering small businesses a free way to offer coupons online. The initiative is aimed primarily at the millions of businesses that don't currently advertise online, and offers them the ability to attract local customers with discounts or special deals. "For small businesses, coupons …
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Sex Sells (No Matter How Offensive The Come On)
When moving unwanted email to my spam box, I often ask myself who clicks on this shit, because someone obviously does, or it would not keep coming. New York Times has the answer: Spam messages promoting pornography are 280 times as effective in getting recipients to click on them as messages advertising pharmacy drugs, which are the next most effective type of spam. The third most successful variety is spam …
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Brands To Put Their Stamp On Mail
Earlier this week, I bought stamps at the post office. I picked out a book of Katherine Anne Porter stamps which led to a literary discussion with the mail clerk. It left me feeling glad that a federal worker was so well versed in American culture. Now this from Ad Age: The U.S. Postal Service last week canceled an old law that forbade businesses from placing ads or logos on any type of currency -- including postage …
How Dare Ray Edwards
Ray Edwards is a direct response copywriter. In fact, he's textbook. If this is your thing, go study this man. My copywriting colleages are going to be angry. They're going to call me a "renegade" for letting the secrets out. For giving away our tricks. But I'm going to do it anyway. In this quick, FREE video I'll show you specific changes that will improve the response rates and sales from a real-life …