DMA Announces New Affiliate Network Program

Atlanta, GA, October 17, 2005 – The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) announced today the launch of the DMA Affiliate Network, consisting of current DMA chapters and direct and direct marketing groups around the country. The Direct Marketing Club of NY (DMCNY) is the first independent group to officially join.

"We believe it will be good for both the DMCNY and the DMA, allowing both organizations to capitalize on our respective strengths," said Jane Weber, DMCNY President. "When John Greco spoke at our luncheon last January, he said ‘good fences don't make good neighbors, good neighbors make good neighbors’. It’s great to see that statement coming to life."

The DMA Affiliate Network will open the lines of communication between each group’s leadership to enhance local educational and networking opportunities and build membership at the local and national level.

The DMA’s Atlanta chapter will be the first of the existing local chapters to join the Affiliate Network. "Several large independent direct marketing associations have made significant contributions to the emergence of this new plan," said Ken Ebeling, DMA vice president, Membership Development. "The affiliate network will unify the direct marketing community, enhancing lobbying strength at the local, state and federal levels."

"Remaining affiliated with the DMA will allow us to continue to use the DMA as a resource," said Anna Brantley, Experian account executive and Atlanta Chapter chair. "Our goal to increase membership by providing quality programs that appeal to the broad spectrum of our members the Affiliate Network program supports.

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of business and nonprofit organizations using and supporting direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates industry 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 entire direct marketing process. Founded in 1917, DMA today has more than 4,800 corporate, affiliate, and chapter members from the US and 46 other nations, including 55 companies listed on the Fortune 100.

In 2005, companies will spend more than $161 billion dollars on direct marketing in the United States. Measured against total U.S. sales, these advertising expenditures are expected to generate $1.85 trillion in increased sales in 2005, or 7% of the $26 trillion in total sales in the U.S. economy (which includes intermediate sales). All together, direct marketing will account for 10.3% of total U.S. GDP in 2005.