DMEF Receives Record Number of Submissions for Research Summit-- read more

A MESSAGE FROM DMEF CHAIRMAN ALLEN W. DYON AND PRESIDENT TERRI L. BARTLETT

Dear Members of the Direct Marketing Community –

Spring depicts a time of renewal … promise … excitement!  That is exactly what is taking place here at the DMEF, especially when we speak of two of our newest programs, namely the June Rising Stars Awards Dinner and the Direct Marketing Leadership Development Program.

Originally, we encouraged you to place your reservation for the Rising Stars Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 10 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square … but it’s one month from the event and we have sold out!  We hope you’ll pay close attention when we introduce the Annual Awards Dinner in October – and make your reservation early.  We guarantee – our Awards Dinners are the place to be! 

But, let us tell you about the Rising Stars Awards Dinner, which will showcase the spirit and life of the direct / interactive marketing community … we are honoring five professionals with bios that will greatly impress and inspire us.  These professionals represent the dynamism and talent of the younger generation (40 and under).  We’re seeing this kind of success in younger generations, partly because of the nurturing corporate culture of many companies in our field, which is demonstrated to a tee by this year’s Corporate Commitment Award Winner – KnowledgeBase Marketing / Wunderman.

We’re pleased pay tribute to these winners who continue to raise the bar in our field. 

But that’s not all.  One year ago we introduced a groundbreaking program called the Direct Marketing Leadership Development Program (DMLDP), which offers top graduating seniors the opportunity to rotate employment among a variety of direct / interactive marketing companies.  This program not only offers corporations the opportunity to bring in top talent from schools such as Boston College, Columbia and Duke, to name a few, but it also gives some of today’s brightest college graduates a glimpse of the opportunities and scope of work available in a direct marketing career.

Year I of this program far exceeded our expectations; we’re now finalizing the selection of our Year II candidates, who clearly are following the path of success of the first year’s group.  While this program has been a major feather in the cap of DMEF, we don’t stand alone.  We can’t say enough of our corporate sponsors, including Goodman&Company, Scholastic and Wunderman with the first two returning for Year II, and it’s our pleasure to introduce Kraft / Gevalia as our third corporate sponsor for Year II.  A unique aspect of this collaboration is the role DMA has played, and continues to play in making this program one-of-a-kind.  DMA provides professional education, conferences, administrative services and more, all of which enable us to administer this program flawlessly.

We continue to talk about all the new and exciting activities and initiatives taking place here at the DMEF … these are not empty words or big promises.  We’re setting precedent literally every step of the way.

What is surprising to us is how many of you “out there” don’t know who WE ARE and what we do.  Essentially, direct marketing companies have an educational nonprofit organization that is working tirelessly to attract, educate and place top college students to ensure that top talent gets to DM companies ready to hit the pavement running.  However, many throughout the community have no idea we exist.

So, we need your help!  Please spread the news about the DMEF.  Tell your friends and colleagues about our programs and activities, and invite them to spread the news.  Sending this E-Update to those you work with is a start. 

We look forward to populating this field with the best and brightest talent … as we work together to ensure the future of marketing … direct!

Sincerely,

We’re delighted to announce that our premier New York gala event has sold out!  The DMEF Rising Stars Awards Dinner to be held June 10 in conjunction with Direct Marketing Week in New York brings together 400+ industry leaders to celebrate the current – and future – stars of the Direct / Interactive Marketing field.  Although the room is full, we encourage you to still support and get visibility at this event through your tax-deductible donation or sponsorship – to benefit countless deserving students looking to enter the expanding world of marketing direct.

Please click on the links below to be acknowledged for your support for this important fundraising event supporting the DMEF and the future of our community.

How:               Reserve a sponsorship package (contact Jeannette Monaco)
                        Make a contribution (contact Jeannette Monaco)

Join us as we honor (l-r): Janet Barker-Evans, Draftfcb; Todd Leiser, Rodale, Inc.; Joseph Pak, Google, Inc.;
Joe Pych, Nextmark, Inc.; Jeff Yowell, Datacore Marketing

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DMEF AND SPONSOR COMPANIES MEET FINALISTS FOR DIRECT MARKETING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - YEAR II

On April 24th and 25th, DMEF welcomed eleven graduating seniors – chosen from a record-breaking 200 applicants – for final interviews at the DMEF offices for the 2008 New York Direct Marketing Leadership Development Program (DMLDP).  Finalists represented some of the top graduates from the following colleges and universities:

• Boston College
• Columbia University
• Duke University
• Harvard University
• New York University
• University of Chicago
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Virginia

The eleven finalists met with DMEF staff as well as representatives from Goodman&Company, Kraft / Gevalia and Scholastic.  The chosen Associates will be announced mid-May. The 2008 New York City program offers qualified applicants the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience through a unique combination of settings during a 12-month program. Each candidate acquires valuable experience working alongside some of the profession’s most experienced direct marketing professionals. Associates interact with clients and obtain firsthand experience of direct marketing management and operational resources. Participants in the program gain unprecedented exposure to the vast variety of potential career options available in the many disciplines under the direct marketing umbrella. The program provides a unique perspective that will impact future career decisions.  For more information about the program, visit the  DMLDP Site.

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DMEF RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS FOR RESEARCH SUMMIT