DMA MAKES CHANGES TO ECHO AWARDS CEREMONY -- Actor/Comedian Larry Miller Scheduled to Host Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, May 22, 2003 – The Direct Marketing Association (The DMA) today announced that, based on members’ requests, the International ECHO Awards ceremony, traditionally held the first evening of The DMA Annual Conference & Exhibition, this year will be held as a presentation bunch. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 12, during the DMA 86^th Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center – South Theatre.

"We listened to our members and are pleased to give them what they want and need to make the most of this year’s Annual Conference & Exhibition experience," said H. Robert Wientzen, president & CEO, The DMA. "The change in schedule will allow participants to take advantage of even more networking opportunities throughout the conference."

The DMA also announced that actor/comedian Larry Miller will host this year’s ceremony. Miller’s television credits include being a regular on NBC’s "Pursuit of Happiness" and ABC’s comedy "Life’s Work" and recurring roles on two series "Law and Order" and "Mad About You." He has regular guest appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman" and has had two of his own critically acclaimed specials for HBO. His film credits include "Pretty Woman," "Necessary Roughness," "Undercover Blues," "Corrina, Corrina," "Dream Lover," "The Favor," "Waiting for Guffman," "A Mighty Wind, " and as the voice of the Boss on the animated series "Dilbert."

Gold, Silver and Bronze ECHO Awards represent the top three levels of recognition in all business categories that will be awarded this year. Five further special awards will be presented as well: the DMA Diamond ECHO – representing the most outstanding, "Best of Show," campaign; the USPS Gold Mailbox Award (sponsored by United States Postal Service) – presented for the most innovative use of direct mail; the Henry Hoke Award (sponsored by Hoke Communications) – honoring the campaign with the most courageous solution to a difficult sales problem; and to address the growing importance of marketing on the Web, the ECHO Digital Award – which honors the campaign that best applies new technology to execute proven direct marketing principles. Adweek and Brandweek magazines will serve as media sponsors of this year’s Awards.

Additional information on The DMA ECHO Awards and the ceremony can be obtained online at http://www.dma-echo.org/home2.htm or by contacting Terri Edwards at Tedwards@the-dma.org or 212 768-7277, ext. 1350.

The DMA is the leading trade association for businesses interested in interactive and database marketing, with nearly 4,700 member companies from the United States and 53 other nations. Founded in 1917, its members include direct marketers from every business segment as well as the nonprofit and electronic marketing sectors. Included are catalogers, Internet retailers and service providers, financial services providers, book and magazine publishers, book and music clubs, retail stores, industrial manufacturers and a host of other vertical segments, including the service industries that support them. According to a DMA-commissioned study, direct and interactive marketing sales in the United States are projected to have surpassed $2 trillion in 2002, including $126 billion in catalog sales and $34 billion in sales generated by the Internet. The DMA's Web site is www.the-dma.org, and its consumer Web site is www.shopthenet.org.

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