Joint Statement from the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and the American Catalog Mailers Association

Boston, MA, March 11, 2010 — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) have come to an understanding of their common goals in protecting the catalog segment from legislative and regulatory threats.  We pledge to work together on postal issues at the US Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, and Congress, and in fighting Do-Not-Mail proposals at the state and local level.

Going forward, both groups will continue to represent our respective members’ best interests, which may differ at times.  ACMA will continue its aggressive work in postal and other catalog-specific matters.  DMA will continue its work on postal issues, as well as the many other issues that affect catalogs and the broader direct marketing community, including tax, privacy, and offers.

There is an enormous amount of work to do.  It requires significantly increased participation from every company with an economic stake in cataloging.  Both ACMA and DMA are under-resourced from the catalog community.  Our ability to operate successfully requires the financial resources, executive time, and broad-based membership of catalog mailers and their suppliers.

ACMA and DMA would like to call on all companies that mail catalogs to join both organizations if you are not a member already; and to become active participants.  We need a broad-based and unified effort to continue the endeavors both organizations have shaped.  ACMA and DMA are excited about developing a productive and cooperative relationship and look forward to making a difference for catalogers on a long list of public policy issues.