DMANF Honors Senators Collins, Carper

WASHINGTON, February 16, 2006 – The Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation (DMANF) today honored Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) as recipients of the organization’s Public Service Award.

The award is designed to recognize public officials who have made an exceptional, lasting and positive contribution to a nonprofit organization, or to the nonprofit sector. Senators Collins and Carper are being honored this year for their long-term commitment to reforming the nation’s postal service.

Just last week, their efforts saw success with the passage of postal reform legislation by unanimous consent on the Senate floor. As the postal reform legislation moves into the conference stage, their leadership will continue to be vital toward ensuring the long-term success and growth of the United States Postal Service.

"Senators Collins and Carper have been outstanding as the true drivers of postal reform. Postage costs are a major expense for nonprofit organizations, and could spell success or failure for many," added Craig Floyd, Chairman and Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and chair of DMANF’s awards committee. "Their success in pushing for reform will have a major impact on the nonprofit sector, and especially for those organizations that rely on the mail for public support."

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Since 1982, the DMA Nonprofit Federation and its predecessor organizations have been aggressive and effective advocates for nonprofits in postal, regulatory, legislative, and accountability issues. It has led the way in professional education, networking, and industry advancement. The Federation is the premier agent for improving public awareness and receptivity to direct/interactive marketing-driven philanthropy, and is the ‘top brand’ among all associations and advocacy groups working on behalf of nonprofits in this area. With more than 400 members, the DMANF is one of the largest member segments of the Direct Marketing Association

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of business and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel 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 spent an estimated $161 billion on direct marketing in the United States. Measured against total US sales, these advertising expenditures generated an estimated $1.85 trillion in increased sales in 2005, or 7% of the $26 trillion in total sales in the US economy (which includes intermediate sales). All together, direct marketing accounted for 10.3% of total US GDP in 2005.