Jul 07

Response June: Money Mailer, Social Media and a Growing Market

Better late than never, here’s a look at my work in Response‘s June issue!

Money Mailer’s Chris Rimlinger leads Response’s June issue.

Our cover story on Money Mailer’s marketing leader Chris Rimlinger was a bit of a late bloomer, coming to us after a couple of other opportunities dropped out. But that turned out to be a lucky break, as Rimlinger was a pleasure to deal with and a very thoughtful interviewee. Not only that, but the size and scope of Money Mailer as a direct response marketer, via print, Web and mobile, was a surprise to me once we delved into the story. Money Mailer not only services hundreds of local communities across the U.S., but it’s also one of the leading franchise ownership opportunities in the country. To learn more, here’s the link once again: The Deal Is in the Mail

The latest Response Advisors’ Forum, about the growing power of social media, became a Web exclusive when the print version was cut for space. But that allowed for us to run all of our experts’ answers in their entirety. As usual, the opinions were varied as some believe social media is a perfect DR outlet whose measurability is truly underrated at this moment. Meanwhile, others still have questions about social’s viability as a standalone DR opportunity. To hear from the industry’s experts on social media in DR, click here: A Social Solution

Finally, my Editor’s Note column for June talks about some of the positive financial statistics that are trickling out in the DR space of late, questioning why so many folks you speak with in the industry still seem to downplay the industry’s health. The idea came up when researching recent media stats for a different project, but those numbers are hard to dispute: direct response is getting healthier every day, and often at a faster pace than other, more touted marketing mechanisms. To read my thoughts, here’s the link: Most DR Indicators Are Up

Thanks again for reading and interacting with Response!

May 11

Response May: Almost All About Expo

I’m back again with some links from this month’s edition of Response Magazine and some back story on each piece. Please click on any of the links to jump to the stories included within!

John Foley is the magazine’s May cover and the Expo’s keynote speaker.

  • The May cover features John Foley, former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and holder of two master’s degrees from Stanford and another from the Naval War College — and Response Expo 2012‘s Keynote speaker (5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15 in San Diego). As in the past two years, with Sir Bob Geldof and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, it was a no-brainer to relate our cover to such a great keynoter for our Expo. And the 40 minutes I spent on the phone interviewing Foley were fantastic. He’s lively, engaging and has no hesitation in getting very personal. He really responded to every question with a full voice and didn’t shy away from broaching any topic. After the interview, I was more excited than ever to hear him speak in San Diego. If you missed the story link above, here it is again: Blue Angel John Foley
  • My monthly Editor’s Note column is centered on the Sixth Annual Response Expo. When John Yarrington and I started kicking around the idea six years ago to resuscitate the event (which had a good run in the 1990s with our predecessors), we never imagined just how amazing the response from this industry would be, year after year. It’s become the most gratifying week of the year for me personally, to see everyone in San Diego having such a great time doing business and getting the latest education. And the feedback we get from you all on site is truly breathtaking. Here’s hoping next week’s event is just as satisfying as the first five have been! Check out my take on it here: All Aboard for Response Expo!
  • Finally, our biggest issue of the year so far also includes my recap of our late March trip to Washington for the DMA in DC event, as well as my interview with Euro RSCG Edge‘s Steve Netzley, both found in our Field Reports news section. I spoke directly about the event in my April issue Editor’s Note, but this news piece gives you a more circumspect look at the entire event, with some attendee feedback. Meanwhile, talking with Netzley is always like listening to a great history of the DR world, while at the same time speaking to someone who is truly connected to what’s next. For these stories and more, visit our Field Reports section online now: DMA and Edge stories

Thanks again for reading and interacting with Response!

Apr 18

Response April: A Capital Vision, A Capitol Vision and an Important Cause

I’m back again with some links from this month’s edition of Response Magazine and some back story on each piece. Please click on any of the links to jump to the stories included within!

Capital One's Patrick McLean

Capital One’s Patrick McLean graces Response’s April cover.

  • The April cover features Capital One’s Patrick McLean. The story grew out of an initial meeting in Boston during the fall 2011 Direct Marketing Association (DMA) annual convention. McLean was on an interesting panel about digital marketing, and after watching some of the session, my goal was to get him involved with a speaking opportunity at Response Expo, which will take place on May 15-17 in San Diego. Well, after a few conversations with Pat and Capital One staff, not only did we confirm him to be part of one of our high-profile sessions next month, but we also convinced him and Capital One to be featured on our cover. With a background in telecom, McLean’s transition to the financial services sector has gone rather smoothly, and his ideas about digital, online and social media marketing are intriguing. If you missed the story link above, here it is again:“Building Social Capital”

    DC Visit

    A great day on Capitol Hill

  • My monthly Editor’s Note column touches upon my recent visit to Washington, DC, with publisher John Yarrington, as sponsors of the DMA’s annual “DMA in DC” event. What a great experience it was for both of us, from working closely with Rachel Thomas, Linda Woolley and the rest of the DMA staff, to hearing the concerns of industry leaders about regulatory topics and government action, to visiting with Congressional staffers on the Hill to share concerns about the industry. At the same time, we were able to catch up with some DC-area clients, including Time Life’s Tim Pearson, FaceTime Strategies’ Todd Mason and Venable’s Jeff Knowles and Chuck Wilkins. A worthy three-day trip, indeed. Check out my take on it here: “Response Goes to Washington”
  • Lastly, but most importantly, the April issue also includes an exclusive interview with long-time DRTV industry executive Ray Golden, who is battling terminal cancer. Ray’s diagnosis was a gutshot to many in the industry who not only enjoyed doing business with him, but also counted him as a personal friend. The silver lining? Response is stepping up to the plate — and asking all of our DR industry friends and cohorts to join us — to support the Amber Golden Educational Fund, which Ray started to benefit his daughter, who is in her third year in pursuit of a nursing degree. For more on this moving story, and how you can contribute, visit our Field Reports exclusive with Ray right now: “Ray Golden Speaks on His Career and His Daughter’s Battle” 

Thanks again for reading and interacting with Response!