DMA Announces Committee on Social Responsibility Members

Atlanta, GA, October 18, 2005 —The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) announced today at DMA· 05 the members of its Committee on Social Responsibility (CSR). Established in March 2005, the goal of the CSR is to identify challenges direct marketers face with social responsibility issues and to develop and encourage best practices in addressing them.

"CSR will focus on roles and responsibilities of direct marketers beyond the business transaction," said Pat Kachura, DMA senior vice president, ethics and consumer affairs. "In doing so, CSR aspires move the industry forward in this regard."

Consistent with DMA’s Strategic Plan, CSR resolves to expand the convergence zone of consumers, policymakers, and business interests.

Chaired by Jennifer Barrett of Acxiom Corporation, the list of CSR committee members includes:

• Austin C. Bliss, FreshAddress, Inc
• Carolyn Beem, L.L.Bean
• Meta Brophy, ConsumersUnion
• Jeanette Cassano, American List Counsel, Inc.
• Chet Dalzell, Harte Hanks, Inc.
• Joseph Eustermann, Experian Interactive
• Billie Flaherty, Pitney Bowes, Inc.
• Richard Goldsmith, The Horah Group
• Liz Kislik, Liz Kislik Associates
• Connie LaMotta, LaMotta Strategic Communications
• Robert McDonald, Cosmetique, Inc.
• Catherine McIntyre, ICOM Information & Communications
• Don McKenzie, Petsky Prunier, LLC
• Gerry Pike, DMSA, Inc.
• Eugene R. Raitt, AIG Companies Worldwide
• Eliot D. Russman, Magneto Marketing Group, LLC
• Suzanne Swenson-Ridenour, Ridenour & Associates
• Lynn Wunderman, I-Behavior, Inc.

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At its meeting on Sunday, the DMA Board of Directors approved a first year’s agenda for the CSR highlighting three issues.

The Committee will work to improve the industry environmental footprint.

As phishing, spam and other forms of email abuse continue to erode the confidence of consumers, the CSR will play an important role in educating consumers on how to protect themselves and in assisting members rebuild trust in these areas

Finally the CSR will develop a generic disaster response plan to assist consumers and members in affected areas.

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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.