TIMELINE

June 16, 2006

HORMEL FOODS CORP., the maker of Spam, agreed to a lawsuit settlement that would allow NetBop Technologies, a small Welsh technology firm, to use the word “spam” in a product name. Hormel sued the company last year over its attempt to trademark SpamBop, a product designed to filter bulk unsolicited e-mail. Hormel agreed to settle when it became clear in a preliminary hearing that European Union patent officials were leaning in the tech company's favor, according to NetBop. The settlement means NetBop can use the spam name as long as it keeps it lowercase.

June 15

The DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION said it would discontinue InMarketing, its monthly magazine, after its June issue. “InMarketing was intended to streamline DMA communications to members; however, continuous feedback indicates that more segment-specific information is preferred,” said DMA president John A. Greco Jr. in a statement.

June 14

HSBC NORTH AMERICA acquired the credit receivables and ongoing credit program of Musician's Friend, which sells instruments and music gear on its Web site (www.musiciansfriend.com) and via catalog.

NICK MOORE joined Wunderman New York as chief creative officer. He replaces Joel Sobelson, who left the agency last fall. Moore, who previously worked as creative director at Tequila London, plans to relocate from London to New York.

June 12

INTERSECTIONS INC., a consumer credit services firm, said it would acquire Chartered Marketing Services Inc., a direct marketer of insurance and financial services products, for approximately $50 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in July.