The Big Fat Marketing Blog

For those willing to read the tea leaves, Monday’s layoffs at the Direct Marketing Association provide insight into the organization’s priorities. What those leaves augur ain’t pretty.

To back up a bit: On October 20, the DMA chopped 21 people from its 120-or-so employee roster. That’s about 18% of its staff. Click here for the full article on the downsizing: http://directmag.com/news/1008_long_term_dma/.

Long story short: The cuts came throughout the company. That includes membership services, conference planning, research and lobbying – but not, apparently, tippy-top management. more

For those willing to read the tea leaves, Monday’s layoffs at the Direct Marketing Association provide insight into the organization’s priorities. What those leaves augur ain’t pretty.

To back up a bit: On October 20, the DMA chopped 21 people from its 120-or-so employee roster. That’s about 18% of its staff. Click here for the full article on the downsizing: http://directmag.com/news/1008_long_term_dma/.

Long story short: The cuts came throughout the company. That includes membership services, conference planning, research and lobbying – but not, apparently, tippy-top management. more

I like to keep things simple. Simple makes my life easier. But, can you really simplify your entire business plan/model by writing it on a Napkin? This guy calls it the “Million Dollar Napkin.” Too good to be true? You be the judge.

I love those freecreditreport.com commercials with the guy singing about his credit misfortune. He’s had to move in with his in-laws, he’s driven a Yugo, he’s bought a 1960s bike, all because he didn’t monitor his credit.

Those videos have gone viral in part to the fact they weren’t designed to become viral classics. Now the credit report service bureau has released viral videos starring credit-unworthy celebrity Ed McMahon, or “Ed McGangsta,” trying to get his “big checks” back (just in case Publisher’s Clearinghouse tried to take whatever’s left in his empty pockets). more

I love those freecreditreport.com commercials with the guy singing about his credit misfortune. He’s had to move in with his in-laws, he’s driven a Yugo, he’s bought a 1960s bike, all because he didn’t monitor his credit.

Those videos have gone viral in part to the fact they weren’t designed to become viral classics. Now the credit report service bureau has released viral videos starring credit-unworthy celebrity Ed McMahon, or “Ed McGangsta,” trying to get his “big checks” back (just in case Publisher’s Clearinghouse tried to take whatever’s left in his empty pockets). more

That’s what we’re seeing in several surveys. And the American consumer can’t hammer that point to death enough. Oh… and did you know that most Americans, while they won’t be spending more this holiday season, will be spending less?

The latest survey I’ve seen came in my inbox this morning, and was conducted by Robert Passikoff at Brand Keys. And the indication… people are not going to spend as much this holiday season… more