As best I can tell, Catalog Choice was not in the exhibit hall.
Attendees overwhelmingly shared with me that they were willing to speak with or work with Catalog Choice --- only a few individuals expressed frustration with constant calls from Catalog Choice to accept opt-outs.
There may be folks from Catalog Choice who are in attendance, and I simply haven't run across them. I'd have loved to have seen the DMA have the courage to invite Chuck Teller of Catalog Choice to speak at this conference, allowing their message to be heard along with the message of self-regulation offered prior to the keynote address.
Overwhelmingly, attendees told me they wanted to do "what is right" for their customers.
Kevin:
ReplyDeleteAlan Rimm-Kaufman invited me to speak at ACCM, but the DMA turned down the invitation. April Smith and Laura Hickey from our team are there meeting with many merchants, but we did not get a booth. I regret not having a booth at the event this year. Next year, we will.
I am glad to hear that you are reporting that the tide is turning. Accepting consumer requests is the right thing to do.
Chuck
In the long run, I think you'll find that Alan represents the demeanor of most catalog marketers. After the initial shock value of having somebody outside the system recommend a different way of doing business, people change.
ReplyDeleteThere's going to be problems for catalogers as the market gives more choices to consumers. There would also be equal and different problems if things had stayed the same.
Thank you for your response!
As Chuck said, I made several calls to try and get them a session there. (I was on a programming committee for the conference -- for a web track, sure, but still I had some inside connections.)
ReplyDeleteDMA shot down the idea of Cat Choice being there.
Shame, shame, shame.
Just indicates the DMA's incredible disconnect with what is really going on out there.
-- Alan
Mr. Greco's opened the conference, and received a rather tepid applause at the end of his talk.
ReplyDeleteMore than anything, his talk focused on keeping advertising channels open. He tried to encourage the audience to understand that his organization moves faster now, and is more nimble than in the past.
He also introduced a catalog advisory board --- my sense is that the board is the DMA's answer to the ACMA.
I might be wrong, but I sensed the talk was about frustration with Catalog Choice for usurping the service the DMA promoted. I sensed the talk was about frustration with catalogers for going in their own direction. I sensed the talk was about frustration with customers for no longer loving time-honored marketing techniques.
I sensed frustration!
These conferences would add more value if all sides of the industry were represented. Of course, it is easy for me to say that, since I was not invited, either!