May 28, 2008 — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) today announced keynote speakers for DMA08 Conference & Exhibition, taking place October 11-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” host Ty Pennington, crayon’s Joseph Jaffe, Playboy’s Christie Hefner, and Spanx’s Sara Blakely will headline during the global event for integrated marketing.
“Direct marketing prowess plays a part in each of these keynote’s genius,” said DMA Group Show Director Paul McDonnough. “While others rolled the dice, these innovators used their skill and insight to make an indelible mark in business. That’s why we’re thrilled attendees will hear from them at DMA08.”
Sunday, October 12: Joseph Jaffe
As creator, founder, and president of crayon, a new marketing company, Joseph Jaffe is one of the most sought-after consultants and speakers of the digital age. Jaffe’s convictions about the power of the Internet and social media marketing is so firm, he has built his entire career, and two companies, on it.
During his DMA08 keynote on Sunday, “Join the Conversation: How to Engage Marketing Weary Consumers with the Power of Community, Dialogue, and Partnership,” Jaffe will show attendees how technology such as digital, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and podcasting can help catapult them to greater marketing success.
Monday, October 13: Ty Pennington
With two Emmys for Outstanding Reality Program, and two People’s Choice Awards, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” is a winner all around. Hosted by Ty Pennington, the show is consistently rated in the top 20 of all television programs.
“It’s about the joy of doing things for others,” Pennington said of the widely popular ABC series. “Extreme Makeover is about family, it's about America, and it about these random acts of kindness that can restore your faith in people.” Pennington’s Monday keynote address is sure to inspire DMA08 attendees to greater marketing heights.
Tuesday, October 14: Christie Hefner
As chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Christie Hefner is a force to be reckoned with. In fact, Forbes magazine named her to its “100 Most Powerful Women in the World” list in 2005 and 2006 for overseeing the expansion of the Playboy empire beyond print, and building the brand globally. Since joining Playboy in 1975, Hefner has restructured operations and initiated the company’s highly successful electronic and international expansion. She served on the DMA board from 1987 to 1989.
During her keynote address, “Global Case Study: Playboy's Growth as a Multichannel Marketer in the Digital Space,” Hefner will explain how she led the company into the digital age, making it the first national magazine on the Web.
Wednesday, October 15: Craig Newmark
Keynoter Craig Newmark is the ‘Craig’ of Craigslist, the founder of the centralized network for worldwide urban and regional communities featuring classified advertisements with discussion boards. Started in 1995 as a simple email exchange service, Craigslist now hosts 195 websites serving all 50 states in the US and more than 47 countries and maintains a triple-digit growth rate.
As huge as Craigslist has become, it remains a model of modesty and community service. The key to its success: listening hard, following through, and doing what people need the site to do. Called “The Wizard of the Local” by Time Magazine, Newmark was named to its 2005 Time 100. Smart marketers will be hanging on every word as this exciting keynoter wields his magic.
“‘Astounding’ is the word that describes each and every one of these fantastic DMA08 keynoters,” said McDonnough. “Savvy attendees will be hanging on every word.”
About DMA08 Conference & Exhibition
The DMA08 Annual Conference & Exhibition, the Global Event for Integrated Marketing, is the world’s largest gathering of multichannel marketing professionals. DMA08, which will be held October 11-16 in Las Vegas, will feature keynote presentations, educational sessions, roundtables, case studies, white papers, and research reports. DMA08’s exhibit hall will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies. For additional information, or to register for the six-day multichannel marketing event of the year, please visit www.dma08.org or call 1.866.486.0734.
For information about DMA08 exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Donna LoPorto at 212.790.1468 or dloporto@the-dma.org.
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