Politically Direct: Grassroots: Telling Your Story to Policymakers

April 1, 2009 — Utilizing all channels of the direct marketing community, from text messages and emails, to phone calls and mailings, President Obama ran one of the most successful direct marketing campaigns in recent memory.

Under the banner of change, Obama built up a network that proved its ability to raise funds, to the tune of close to a billion dollars. The campaign also disseminated personalized updates to an excited and connected base, got out the vote, and won the presidential election by a seven percent margin.

As demonstrated by the Obama campaign, the power of a well-connected and organized base creates a stronger voice, whether speaking for a presidential candidate, or representing the multifaceted direct marketing community.

A successful grassroots campaign depends upon members who share a sense of connection. To ensure success, these members must be regularly updated on relevant issues and new developments, and empowered at the appropriate times to take action.

With a new Congress and Administration in Washington, it remains vital to maintain and strengthen a well-connected network. Joining DMA’s Grassroots Network ensures that you will be part of such a powerful alliance, and that your voice will be heard.

Day in and day out, DMA is working with elected officials on the federal, state, and local levels of government. Our job is to keep all marketing channels open and economically viable.

To this end, we listen closely to all of the diverse segments of DMA membership. We represent and advocate for the direct marketing community, educate policymakers and the media on the substantial economic contributions of the direct marketing community, and protect multichannel direct marketing from overly restrictive, unreasonable laws and regulations.

But we can’t do it alone. Your organization and the greater direct marketing community need you to tell your individual direct marketing story. Let your elected representatives know how important your business or nonprofit organization is to your community — the jobs it creates, the people it serves, and the economic impact it has on your community and the state. Such first-hand accounts are priceless commodities within the world of politics.

Join us in creating a powerful network to speak out as direct marketing’s voice, and drive changes that will positively impact the entire direct marketing community.

It’s easy to join our grassroots network. Just provide us with the information below, and send it to Tim Donovan, DMA’s manager of Government Affairs, via email at tjdonovan@the-dma.org, or via fax at 202.955.0085.

Name ___________________

Title ___________________

Business ___________________

Address ___________________

Phone ___________________

Email ___________________

What legislative issues are most important to your company?

Business-to-Business

Business-to-Customer

Data Supply/Use

Nonprofit

Postal

Privacy

Security

Teleservices

Use Tax

What direct marketing channels do you use in your business?

Internet

Mobile

Broadcast TV

Mail

Catalog

Radio

Telephone

Other

In which of the following activities would you be interested in participating?

Attending a policy-oriented conference or seminar

Meetings with policymakers in Washington DC

Meetings with policymakers in your state or local government

Working with the media in your home state on relevant issues

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