DMA Announces Search Committee for New President and CEO
Jan. 25, 2010, New York, NY — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit multichannel direct marketers, today announced the formation of an executive search committee charged with finding a new president & CEO to lead the DMA. The committee will be spearheaded by Kelly B. Browning, EVP & COO of the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Other members of the committee include: current DMA Board Chair Eugene R. Raitt, SVP of Accident & Health and CMO, Asia Allied World Assurance Company; and DMA Board members David S. Williams, Chairman & CEO, Merkle, Inc.; Brian Wolfe, EVP of Consumer Marketing & Sales, Time, Inc.; Steven Dapper, Chairman & Founder, Hawkeye; Don McKenzie, President & CEO, Direct Group; Matt Blumberg, CEO & Chairman, Return Path; as well as Sue R.E. Geramian, SVP, Chief Communications Officer, Direct Marketing Association.
"This team is a diverse group of professionals that are all dedicated to moving the DMA in a positive direction. We will conduct a rigorous search process, and I am confident that we will find an exceptionally qualified individual to fulfill the goals and vision set forth by the DMA," said Committee Chairman Kelly B. Browning.
Mr. Raitt stated; "The committee will be working in conjunction with an executive search firm to be selected shortly. The permanent replacement for the DMA President & CEO will face a rigorous slate of requirements. They need a comprehensive understanding of the association marketplace, a deep knowledge of direct marketing practices, management skills, visibility within the industry and outstanding credentials across a wide range of traditional and new media, particularly digital and social channels."
"The new leader will be required to navigate some very difficult stretches for DMA and have the capacity for negotiating with other trade associations. Their understanding of direct marketing practices and grasp of direct marketing's impact on the US economy are critical," concluded Raitt.
About Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process. Founded in 1917, DMA today represents more than 3,100 companies from dozens of vertical industries in the US and 48 other nations, including nearly half of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as nonprofit organizations.
In 2009, marketers — commercial and nonprofit — spent $149.3 billion on direct marketing, which accounts for 54.3% of all ad expenditures in the United States. Measured against total US sales, these advertising expenditures will generate approximately $1.783 trillion in incremental sales. In 2009, direct marketing accounted for 8.3% of total US gross domestic product. Also in 2009, there were 1.4 million direct marketing employees in the US. Their collective sales efforts directly support 8.4 million other jobs, accounting for a total of 9.9 million US jobs.
