Etc.

Even before we got married my wife started buying her own Christmas gifts from me. I’d get her the wrong size, something too tacky, or something I was more interested in than her (I though chicks dug Sony Playstation… who knew?). So I let Ursula get herself something she really wants, and she tells me “I’ll act surprised.”

To make sure I’m going through the motions, I’ll get Ursula some stuff for a dollar store or a discount store that I know she regularly uses or needs. A lot of times, it’s even “clearance crap.” And this year, if a recent survey by the National Retail Federation is dead on, it looks like I won’t be the only person out there scavenging the bargain bins this season. more

Want to know how I spent my day Thursday, other than having some medical tests done and bringing the puppy to the vets for her latest shots? Sending this e-mail reply to at least a half a dozen people in the public relations field:

“Hi [name], I have not covered [the industry and/or beat] for at least three years now. Can you please remove me from your distribution list? Thank you.” more

The economy is really starting to take its toll. If you don’t believe me, here’s what a few financial experts told me.

Linens N’ Things looked like it could restructure under Chapter 11, then decided it was time to say good-bye. Circuit City shouldn’t have come as a shock based on how many times it announced staff cutbacks and store closings. more

Talk about duck-and-cover. I went on medical leave for a month just as the question “Is the list industry dead?” appeared on the front cover of the December 2007 issue of Multichannel Merchant.

Well, a year later, is the list industry dead? Is it still serving the needs of multichannel merchants? Or are list firms still staving off extinction? more

I wish I could say I was kidding about this. But political pawn Joe the Plumber is hoping his fame can be extended to minute number 16.

Samuel J. Wurzelbacher is writing a book. He’s launching a Website. He’s got representation. Joe the Plumber will either be living the American Dream, or remain in a lower tax bracket. Love him or hate him, you’ve got to wish the guy some luck. more

Back in January I got in touch with Tony Cox of 5th Food Group, Gina Valentino of Hemisphere Marketing and Geoff Bartouney of Estee Marketing Group to talk about mailing catalogs around Super Tuesday. And of course, it led to talk about Election Day, which John Lenser followed up on in this article.

What it all boiled down to was past trends in presidential election years. The trend has been when a new leader is elected to office, as was the case no matter what this year, consumers start opening those purse strings.

Is 2008 going to be different? more