Direct Marketing Association and Participatory Marketing Network Co-Host Social Media Seminar

December 21, 2009 —The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and The Participatory Marketing Network (PMN) and today announced they will co-host “Spotlight on Social Media” on January 21, 2010 at the DMA Seminar Center in New York City. The event will feature keynotes from leading social media experts, a “brand spotlight” presented by Castrol and social media case studies discussing strategies and tactic attendees can use inside their own organizations. For more information or to register: www.the-dma.org/spotlight.

“Our members are eager to learn as much about social media as possible,” stated Neil C. O'Keefe, DMA’s V.P. Multichannel Segments. “For many organizations, however, the time for theoretical discussion is over, and it’s time for the dialogue to transition to tactical, practical discussions. That’s precisely what this seminar will deliver to attendees”, he continued.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from professionals in the trenches of social media and marketing,” said Michael Della Penna, founder and executive chairman of the PMN. “The participants will leave this seminar with ideas for better engaging customers and prospects and, undoubtedly, a new group of colleagues with whom they can exchange innovative ideas and best practices moving forward.”

Event Highlights:

Keynote by Steve Rubel, SVP, Director of Insights, Edelman Digital . Rubel’s keynote is entitled “Marketing in the Age of Streams.”

Joint Keynote with Harte-Hanks, and Aberdeen Group entitled “Getting Beyond the Hype of Social Marketing.”

Brand Spotlight” presented by Castrol.

Social Media Case Studies presented by Rahim Fazal, CEO and co-founder of Involver, Peter Dabol, CEO of Bunchball, and Ryan Deutsch, VP of Strategic Services, StrongMail.

Event Details:

January 21, 2010, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern.

DMA Seminar Center, 1120 Avenue of the Americas (Hippodrome building) on the 13th floor (between 43rd and 44th streets).

About the Participatory Marketing Network

The PMN helps marketers navigate change as consumers increasingly turn to each other for insight and information rather than brands. It helps marketers make the transition from push and permission marketing to participatory marketing – which is all about taking advantage of the social Web. The Network’s mission is to help educate marketers about how to market WITH customers rather than AT them. It focuses on the strategies and tactics that exemplify this kind of thinking and, most important, it will demonstrates why participatory marketing is so powerful by spotlighting brands that are already “doing it right.” For more information about the Participatory Marketing Network or to inquire about membership, please go to http://www.thepmn.org or email info@thepmn.org.

About The DMA Social Media Council

DMA Social Media Council (SMC) provides a community of common interest allowing members to share their online experiences, learn from experts how to best utilize the social media channel in establishing and promoting brands and successfully integrate social media marketing into an overall marketing plan. The council continues DMA’s commitment to provide marketers and businesses every opportunity available to capitalize on the latest technology and marketing innovations. The council works with DMA to provide members with events, programming, education and more in the areas of social and digital marketing.

About Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process. Founded in 1917, DMA today represents more than 3,100 companies from dozens of vertical industries in the US and 48 other nations, including nearly half of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as nonprofit organizations

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