DMA's 2007 International ECHO Awards to Be Presented Oct. 16 at DMA07; Howie Mandel to Host Gala

October 5, 2007 — Of all of the 1,124 direct marketing campaigns that were submitted for the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) 2007 International ECHO Awards, which will win the Diamond ECHO, which goes to the campaign that is judged the “best of the best”? Well, that’s a top secret — for now, at least.

But on Tuesday evening, October 16, all of this year’s ECHO honors will be presented at a gala at Chicago’s historic Union Station during the DMA07 Exhibition & Conference. The evening will be hosted by Howie Mandel, the “Deal or No Deal” emcee and comedian.

Seating for the ECHO Awards Gala is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket exchange for seats will continue throughout Monday, October 15 until all seats have been assigned. To secure a seat, please visit the ECHO Ticket Exchange Counter (Level 3 outside the Exhibit Hall) on Monday, October 15 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (CT).

DMA07 delegates are also invited to stop by the ECHO Gallery Lounge in McCormick Place West, which will open on Sunday, October 14, concurrent with the Exhibit Hall’s grand opening at 4 p.m. (CT). The ECHO Gallery Lounge will showcase this year’s entries and provide a relaxed venue to review all of the creative excellence. Spot the exciting trendsetters in direct marketing and observe, first-hand, the unsurpassed innovation and creativity of each entrant.

According to Barbara Parker, DMA director for award programs, this year’s ECHO Awards competition beat an all-time record for campaign submissions: 1,124 campaign entries were submitted. The largest number of ECHO entries — until this year — was 1,122 submitted campaigns in 2001.

“This year’s record-breaking total of entries reflects the heightened prominence of data-driven marketing in the overall marketing environment, as well as the rapid escalation of multichannel marketing campaigns,” Parker said. “Not only have we had more entries submitted this year than ever before, but they represent some of the most innovative, creative, and technologically sophisticated campaigns that we’ve ever seen.”

Parker said more than half of the entries—650 entries—were submitted in new media categories, which are:

· Web Development: 225 entries

· Web Advertising: 198 entries

· Email and Instant Messaging: 197 entries

· Mobile: 17 entries

· Search: 13 entries

Since 1929, DMA’s International ECHO Awards have recognized the world’s outstanding direct marketing campaigns based on excellence in strategy, creativity, and results. DMA’s Global Knowledge Network Center in New York City houses the portfolios of all winners and finalists from the past three years. The Association also offers for purchase a CD-ROM portfolio of award-winning campaigns at www.the-dma.org/bookstore.

About DMA07 Conference & Exhibition

DMA07, the largest gathering of direct marketing professionals, is DMA’s annual conference and exhibition. DMA07 will feature more than 150 educational sessions, plus roundtables, case studies, white papers and research reports. DMA07’s exhibit hall will feature more than 500 exhibiting companies. For more information, or to register for the six-day multichannel marketing event of the year, please visit www.dma07.org or call 1.800.293.7279 or 330.425.9330.

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