The Top 100 Mailers 2009 report published by sister titles Marketing Direct and Marketing has stated that BSkyB is the top direct mailer in the UK. The report covers the 12-month period between July 2008 and June 2009.

The survey, based on data from Nielsen Media Research, features the 100 brands that spend the most on direct mail and includes some of the UK’s best known organisations such as BT, Tesco and Virgin Media.

Direct mail is an essential marketing channel for all businesses seeking to build relationships with both existing and prospective customers.

During tough economic times, these relationships are even more crucial than normal, as getting out timely mailings with new destinations and offers is vital.

The Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) has announced the shortlist for its upcoming awards event celebrating some of the best promotional campaigns of the past 12 months.

The IDM Business Performance Awards are set to take place on 4th June and around 30 campaigns have been put forward in a range of categories.

Marketing magazine compares being a good marketer to Brian Clough’s management style following the release of The Damned United, a film charting the tumultuous 44-day reign of Brian Clough at Leeds United.

An article on redwriteweb.com clarifies why semantic technology will play an important role in marketing through improving marketing intelligence and providing more relevant content to customers.

The article identifies two technologies in particular (natural language search and content enhancement), which promise to bring companies much closer to their customers and deliver to them more relevant content than ever before.