This thought provoking headline was borrowed from Cynthia Maniglia who responded to my last post. Her blog "Copy Grove" contains some interesting posts with multiple examples of what it takes to create winning direct mail.

This blog addresses a positioning problem for direct marketers. It continues to weaken the concept of integrated marketing and limits the potential for advertisers in all industries everywhere.

One would think this was obvious in today's complex marketing world. But this type of narrow thinking continues unabated. So we must continue to revisit the basics from time to time.

Silos within the corporate universe represent the CMOs' greatest challenge according to David Aaker's new book "Spanning Silos, The New CMO imperative.”

As budgets tighten in tough economic climates, marketing is often the first place the CEO and CFO look to cut expenses.

We hear the discouraging news that somehow blunts a joyful season for many. Jobs lost, homes going through foreclosure, sales dropping, terrorist attacks in India and a new President many trust and just as many do not trust.

You would think that marketers would do a better job in this economy. But poor marketing decisions live on in spite of today's unforgiving marketplace.

Dean Rieck wrote a superb eye opening post entitled 3 predictions for the future of direct marketing that comments on the present state of affairs and future of the “direct marketing selling method.”

Direct Mail is growing by 4% to 5% per year in advertising mail according to Craig Simpson, a leading direct mail consultant, coach and author of The Direct Mail Solution and The Advertising Solution.