Howie Mandel to Host DMA's 2007 International ECHO Awards Ceremony on Oct. 16 in Chicago

April 27, 2007 — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has announced that entertainer Howie Mandel will host its 2007 International ECHO Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, October 16 at Chicago’s historic Union Station during the DMA07 Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, IL. In addition to honoring “the best of the best” direct marketing campaigns, gala attendees will be feted with a reception, dinner, and a night of dancing.

The “Deal or No Deal” emcee and comedian, who is no stranger to handing out prizes, will do so this time for talented marketers from around the globe. This year’s ECHO Award winners will be chosen from the best entries submitted to DMA by Wednesday, May 2. The ECHO-winning campaigns will showcase outstanding strategy, innovative creative, database techniques, and exceptional results.

Now in its 78th year, this mark of distinction is the only international award symbolizing excellence in direct marketing creativity, marketing strategy, and response results. The ceremony that first took the stage in 1930 keeps pace with ever-changing techniques and technologies. Today, the ECHO program recognizes every type of media used in multichannel direct marketing campaigns. This year, DMA expanded it to include five new advertising media: e-mail and instant messaging, mobile, search engine marketing, Web advertising, and Web development.

Mandel hosts one of the most-watched programs each week, “Deal or No Deal,” and has proven his staying power by remaining a constant force in show business for more than 30 years. The NBC game show airs at 8 p.m. (ET) Mondays and 9 p.m. (ET) Sundays and allows contestants to have a chance of becoming an instant millionaire combining nothing more than instinct with luck.

Although primarily known as a comedian and emcee, Mandel’s versatile career has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film, and stage. His work includes six seasons playing the role of “Dr. Wayne Fiscus” on the Emmy-Award winning “St. Elsewhere,” and eight seasons as series creator, executive producer, and voice actor in the international, Emmy-nominated animated children’s series “Bobby’s World.”

The 2007 International ECHO Awards will take place during the DMA07 Conference & Exhibition, which will be held October 13-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place West. For more information or to register, visit www.dma07.org.

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