TOP STORIES
--Mailers Like Postal Discount Idea, Balk at Timing
By Larry Riggs
While standard mailers generally favor the theory behind the U.S. Postal Service’s idea of discounting standard mail rates during the summer, several question its timing and aren’t sure they’ll be able to react quickly enough. For more, click here: directmag.com/mail/news/mailer-like-discount-balk-timing-0415/
--Talbots Records Half-Billion Dollar Loss In 2008
By Richard H. Levey
The Talbots Inc. reported a $560.7 million net loss during its 2008 fiscal year, a significant deepening of the $188.8 million loss it took during 2007. For much more, along with The Eavesdropper’s Take, click here: directmag.com/catalogretail/news/talbots-half-billion-loss-0415/

--Blyth Blames DM Drop On Consumer Discretionary Spending, New System
By Richard H. Levey
During its fiscal 2009, Blyth’s catalog and Internet business made up 18% of its revenue, the same as in 2008. But its direct selling operations, which rely on in-home and event sales, pulled in 63%, up from 59% a year earlier, primarily because of reductions in wholesale operations revenue. For more, along with The Programmer’s Take, click here: directmag.com/catalogretail/news/blyth-blame-dm-drop-0415/

--Leading Retailers, Government Agencies Not Authenticating: OTA
By Ken Magill
(Magilla Marketing) An alarming percentage of government agencies and leading retailers are not authenticating their outbound e-mail, leaving their brands at risk of being victimized by phishers and other scam artists, according to a study released today by the Online Trust Alliance. For more, click here: directmag.com/email/news/0414-government-authenticating-email/ (directmag.com/email/news/0414-government-authenticating-email/)

--USPS Requests Test Of Collaborative Logistics
Well, now, isn’t the U.S. Postal Service filled with surprises of late? According to a Postal Regulatory Commission notice, has requested a test of collaborative logistics. Wanna comment on its efforts before they go into effect? Click here for details on how to comment: edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-8401.htm

--Online Ad Spend Up As Global Ad Spend Falls
While worldwide online advertising will rise by 9%, overall ad spending will drop 6.9%, according to ZenithOptimedia. For the Associated Press’s big-picture take with region-by-region breakouts, via the Seattle Times, click here: seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009051405_apadvertisingdownturn.html

--EBay Revamps Item Display, Pricing
Online auction eBay has made its initial of two major announcements scheduled for 2009, according to WebProNews. In its first, the company debuts a variety of changes to its Web site. For details, click here: www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/04/14/ebay-unleashes-changes-galore-for-sellers (www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/04/14/ebay-unleashes-changes-galore-for-sellers)

--Orbitz Puts Booking Fees On Standby
Orbitz Worldwide Inc. has joined online booking service Expedia in suspending its booking fees, according to Eyefortravel.com. For details, click here: www.eyefortravel.com/news/marketing/orbitz-suspends-booking-fees-most-flights

--Mail Stream: A Report on Incoming Direct Mail
By ParadyszMatera and Direct Newsline
A recent catalog from The Container Store touts its “Tax Time Sale”. The Civil War Preservation Trust is mobilizing to prevent Wal-Mart from developing a location near a battlefield. And Talbots has mailed an oversized catalog featuring its spring collection. To read the full Mail Stream, click here: directmag.com/mail/mailstream/0414-mailstream/ (directmag.com/mail/mailstream/0414-mailstream/)

--List and Database News
Degree and Continuing Education Responders
Over the past 30 days, 156,770 individuals sourced from diverse direct response vehicles responded to e-mails and online promotions for research degree and other educational programs.
Selections: Age, broadband or dial-up, homeowner, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $105/M
Contact: Focus USA, 201-489-2525

Me Gusta Leer (I Love to Read) Spanish-Language Subscribers
A total of 3.4 million last-12-month magazine and newspaper subscribers are named here. They're sourced from direct mail that goes right to the publisher.
Selections: Age, income, donors, presence of children, catalog buyers, phone numbers, gender, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $100/M
Contact: Estee Marketing Group Inc., 914-235-7080

American Magazine Subscribers
Named here are nearly 4.2 million individuals who've agreed to receive marketing materials online.
Selections: Age, gender, homeowner, income, mail order buyers, marital status, monthly hotline, online buyers, presence of children, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $100/M
Contact: ETargetmedia.com, 954-480-8470

Charm Factory
During the past 12 months, 18,500 online-sourced individuals bought jewelry.
Selections: State/SCF/ZIP
Price: $95/M
Contact: Rosemary Ganci and Associates, 352-751-4432