Maynard – December 7, 2011 – There are segments in the market that are healthier than others, either lagging the crisis, emerging from it, or immune to it. The challenge is to find those segments and market directly to them.

There are two approaches we see among marketing departments in this environment: one is a ‘hunker down’ mentality, and the other is to ‘invest now to kill those who are hunkering down.’ The latter is aggressive and gutsy, but history is filled with stories of how this can work.

There are several reasons the “invest now” approach succeeds.

First off, there are segments that are relatively prosperous and buying. Government seems to have the appetite to buy. Healthcare anticipates a delirious carnival of new spending. Engineering, design and construction are poised for a renaissance. Organizations fearful of waking up to CNN with breaking news about security breeches are frightfully ready to invest. Don’t buy into the myth that nobody’s buying.

Second, marketing professionals, vendors, partners… all are on their toes right now, so programs will more likely be designed and guided by highly-motivated, highly-focused individuals who are painfully aware that upper management will not tolerate waste, slackers or unsubstantiated results. We have all elevated our game.

Third, marketing dollars go further in this economy. Why? Pricing is down, and vendors, suppliers, consultants are open to making deals. No need to be predatory – a dependable vendor driven to extinction does no one any good – but everyone understands that discounting is to be expected in such times.

Fourth, it is a time when any marketing program tacitly communicates to the market that the company is healthy, confident and forward-looking. “Going dark” during this period helps confirm suspicions clients and prospects may have about your organization’s viability. Like gazelles that jump and prance extra high while lions are about, it is a statement that you have a lot of fight in you.

Fifth, it might just drive your competitors to make their own irrational decisions. In 1980, at the height of the Cold War between Russia and the United States, the Russians took one of their supersonic fighters and intentionally flew it through skies they knew were being tracked by US radar. The plane was tuned for high-performance, the pilot flew the fighter at speeds much higher than the plane’s engines could handle, and he returned to his base with a crippled aircraft, its jet engine’s dangerously falling apart from overuse. But the US had tracked its speed as considerably higher than their intelligence thought the Russians capable… and proceeded to try to build their own fighter fast enough to match this performance. It nearly bankrupted the US trying to catch up. Perhaps this is a good time to show off to your competitors, and watch them attempt to catch up, as well.

All of this takes money, for sure. But therein lies the need for programs like SimplyDIRECT’s. If you’re going to try to free up budget, make the argument that every dollar will be spent directly on known buyers. Make sure the list is ‘spot on’. Go with programs where response rates are guaranteed. Leave nothing to chance.

About SimplyDIRECT Corporation..

SimplyDIRECT is the leading marketing services company that identifies, engages and qualifies enterprise sales leads with maximum precision. The offering includes survey-based lead generation, building targeted account databases, and cleaning and enhancing existing databases. Many of the Fortune 100 companies are long-time clients of SimplyDIRECT. Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

Maynard, MA – April 15, 2011 – SimplyDIRECT started 2011 by setting another record for revenue for the company.  The record comes as the company has expanded the sales, marketing and service staff to addresses the needs of the growing list of clients that include Fortune 100 companies, 3rd Party Data providers, and growing companies looking for accurate and high quality sales leads.

“This record revenue for the first quarter of 2011 was made possible by the phenomenal team we have at SimplyDIRECT,” said Lisa Vitale, President of SimplyDIRECT.  “We work with the most demanding companies in the world, that need to see quick results with a very high degree of accuracy.  We are able to exceed our client’s expectation because of the skill and dedication of the employees at SimplyDIRECT”.

About SimplyDIRECT Corporation
SimplyDIRECT is the leading marketing services company that identifies, engages and qualifies enterprise sales leads with maximum precision.  The offering includes survey-based lead generation, building targeted account databases, and cleaning and enhancing existing databases.  Many of the Fortune 100 companies are long-time clients of SimplyDIRECT.  Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

Maynard, MA – December 19, 2010 –  SimplyDIRECT will end 2010 setting another record for revenue for the company.  The record comes as the company celebrates 15 years of serving the marketing and lead generations needs of Fortune 500 companies such as Computer Associates, IBM, Symantec, and Novell.

“While 2010 will be a record year for the company, we believe 2011 will see tremendous growth with the addition of Brian Perks, our Vice President of Sales,” said Lisa Vitale, President of SimplyDIRECT.  “Brian’s extensive experience in lead generation and databases with Jigsaw and Salesforce.com fills in the final piece needed to make SimplyDIRECT the complete  marketing partner for our clients”.

“Accuracy and responsiveness are the keys to any successful database and lead generation project,” said Brian Perks, Vice President of  Sales at SimplyDIRECT. “I am convinced there is no better company to partner with when you need an accurate database or well qualified leads quickly.  2011 will be an exciting year for SimplyDIRECT.”

About SimplyDIRECT Corporation
SimplyDIRECT is the leading marketing services company that identifies, engages and qualifies enterprise sales leads with maximum precision.  The offering includes survey-based lead generation, building targeted account databases, and cleaning and enhancing existing databases.  Many of the Fortune 100 companies are long-time clients of SimplyDIRECT.  Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

Maynard, MA – August 18, 2010 – SimplyDIRECT was once again recognized by its Fortune 100 clients as providing not only the highest level of database accuracy, but also for providing the greatest value for each marketing dollar spent.

In a recent Harvard Business School survey it was discovered that over 80% of leads generated by marketing departments and marketing programs are never followed up on by the sales organization.  This is due in part to what has historically been poor quality leads provided by low cost list generating firms.

“Nothing is worse than following up on a marketing generated lead only to be told you have the wrong person, wrong department or wrong number,” said Lisa Vitale, President of SimplyDIRECT. “We strive to not only offer a competitive price for the marketing investment, but to offer the highest accuracy in the industry.  Having our clients recognize us for both accuracy and value is the greatest compliment we could receive.”

About SimplyDIRECT Corporation
SimplyDIRECT is the leading marketing services company that identifies, engages and qualifies enterprise sales leads with maximum precision.  The offering includes survey-based lead generation, building targeted account databases, and cleaning and enhancing existing databases.  Many of the Fortune 100 companies are long-time clients of SimplyDIRECT.  Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

Maynard, MA – March 5, 2010 – SimplyDIRECT continues to be the company that top corporations like IBM, Symantec, Computer Associates, and SAP look to in order to make the best use of reduced marketing budgets.

The latest IPA/BDO Bellwether survey published 18th January 2010 reveals that marketing spend fell for the ninth quarter running in Q4.  No longer are the marketing budgets unlimited.  Companies large and small have to use a more targeted approach to their marketing and lead generation.  These are the basics that SimplyDIRECT have always offered.

“Anyone can build you a database of names and numbers, what is important is determining if the list contains truly qualified leads for the sales team,” said Doug Barth, Founder of SimplyDIRECT. “We have focused on providing the highest quality databases with industry leading accuracy and survey-based lead generation that guarantees pre-qualified leads. This is why we are recognized by our clients for providing the highest return for their marketing dollars.”

About SimplyDIRECT Corporation
SimplyDIRECT is the leading marketing services company that identifies, engages and qualifies enterprise sales leads with maximum precision.  The offering includes survey-based lead generation, building targeted account databases, and cleaning and enhancing existing databases.  Many of the Fortune 100 companies are long-time clients of SimplyDIRECT.  Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

Accountability: Marketers have to be more careful than ever to ensure their marketing investments yield a return. SimplyDIRECT has always guaranteed response rates to its campaigns, as well as accuracy on the lists it develops. Vitale provides context: “That’s heresy to most marketing firms, a guarantee of both quality and quantity.”

Trend toward Account-Based Marketing: “Boiling the ocean” is an unaffordable approach. SimplyDIRECT has always been about marketing just to the accounts and individuals that matter. “Most sales teams already have identified their ‘wish list’ of accounts,” Vitale said. “Why not market only to them instead of broadcasting your message or offer to companies that will never buy or you don’t even want as clients?”

Trust: For 13 years, SimplyDIRECT has carefully built a reputation of being a trustworthy partner. When your job is on the line, you go with vendors who’ve never let you down.

“The individuals we work with today have been with us for years. Our first clients are still with us today, “Vitale said.

SimplyDIRECT is enjoying its best year. Whether it is new clients confidently trying the account-based marketing approach, or existing clients that have been with us for 13 years, they all depend on SimplyDIRECT.

About SimplyDIRECT Inc.

SimplyDIRECT is a marketing services firm that helps clients identify, engage and qualify prospects with maximum precision. Its offerings include survey-based lead generation, building target account databases and cleaning and enhancing inquiries and leads. Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

As tribute – and commitment – to its growth and success, SimplyDIRECT has recently added to its management team. The additions will help to accelerate the company’s growth and success.

Effective October 1, 2009 Lisa Vitale replaces Doug Barth as president of SimplyDIRECT. Barth, the founder of SimplyDIRECT, will focus his efforts on sales, customer service and new business development.

About Lisa Vitale:

Ms. Vitale has a 20 year background in direct marketing; previously Ms. Vitale worked for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (catalog division), Phillip Johnson & Associates (interactive marketing agency), Lighthouse Direct and Reed Travel Group (a division of Reed Business Information and Publishing). For the past 9 years Lisa has served as the CFO for SimplyDIRECT. She holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Maine. “SimplyDIRECT is really the leader in B2B direct marketing services. I’m excited to lead this company, with its impressive list of clients,” said Vitale.

Also joining as Chief Operating Officer is T. Paul Thomas. “Paul has a proven history of helping established organizations with unique technology realize their full potential,” said Vitale.

About T. Paul Thomas.

His background includes nearly 25 years of sales, marketing and operations experience from leading companies such as Compaq, Apple and Secure Computing. Paul is an 8-time CEO and President. Paul serves on the board of directors for New Jersey-based Armanta, Inc, Trade Winds Aviation in San Jose, CA, the Northern Arizona University Foundation Board, as well as the Northern Arizona University, College of Business Administration National Advisory Board. He is a former member of the Young President Organization (NorCal and Arizona Chapters). Mr. Thomas holds a BS in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University.

SimplyDIRECT is also actively expanding its other staff positions to both accommodate and facilitate its growth, with its goal to become the market leader in B2B direct marketing services.

SimplyDIRECT is a marketing services firm that helps clients identify, engage and qualify prospects with maximum precision. Its offerings include survey-based lead generation, building target account databases and cleaning and enhancing inquiries and leads. Founded in 1996 and based in Maynard, Massachusetts the company is privately held.

While SimplyDIRECT regrets the pain of the current chilly economic climate, it sees signs that the climate is already warming. There are segments in the market that are healthier than others, either lagging the crisis, emerging from it, or immune to it. The challenge is to find those segments and market directly to them.

There are two approaches we see among marketing departments in this environment: one is a ‘hunker down’ mentality, and the other is to ‘invest now to kill those who are hunkering down.’ The latter is aggressive and gutsy, but history is filled with stories of how this can work.

There are several reasons the “invest now” approach succeeds.

First off, there are segments that are relatively prosperous and buying. Government seems to have the appetite to buy. Healthcare anticipates a delirious carnival of new spending. Engineering, design and construction are poised for a renaissance. Organizations fearful of waking up to CNN with breaking news about security breeches are frightfully ready to invest. Don’t buy into the myth that nobody’s buying.

Second, marketing professionals, vendors, partners… all are on their toes right now, so programs will more likely be designed and guided by highly-motivated, highly-focused individuals who are painfully aware that upper management will not tolerate waste, slackers or unsubstantiated results. We have all elevated our game.

Third, marketing dollars go further in this economy. Why? Pricing is down, and vendors, suppliers, consultants are open to making deals. No need to be predatory – a dependable vendor driven to extinction does no one any good – but everyone understands that discounting is to be expected in such times.

Fourth, it is a time when any marketing program tacitly communicates to the market that the company is healthy, confident and forward-looking. “Going dark” during this period helps confirm suspicions clients and prospects may have about your organization’s viability. Like gazelles that jump and prance extra high while lions are about, it is a statement that you have a lot of fight in you.

Fifth, it might just drive your competitors to make their own irrational decisions. In 1980, at the height of the Cold War between Russia and the United States, the Russians took one of their supersonic fighters and intentionally flew it through skies they knew were being tracked by US radar. The plane was tuned for high-performance, the pilot flew the fighter at speeds much higher than the plane’s engines could handle, and he returned to his base with a crippled aircraft, its jet engine’s dangerously falling apart from overuse. But the US had tracked its speed as considerably higher than their intelligence thought the Russians capable… and proceeded to try to build their own fighter fast enough to match this performance. It nearly bankrupted the US trying to catch up. Perhaps this is a good time to show off to your competitors, and watch them attempt to catch up, as well.

All of this takes money, for sure. But therein lies the need for programs like SimplyDIRECT’s. If you’re going to try to free up budget, make the argument that every dollar will be spent directly on known buyers. Make sure the list is ‘spot on’. Go with programs where response rates are guaranteed. Leave nothing to chance.

SimplyDIRECT simply doesn’t understand those marketing departments who, in these – or any market conditions – waste money on markets, segments, contacts who are never going to influence or buy their solutions. Broad brush branding is a luxury. And you can’t afford to “boil the ocean” by spewing our large, undisciplined email blasts (it costs plenty to filter through the unqualified responders). Dangling offers using search marketing is a similarly backward approach. If you know ahead of time who can or might buy from you, then compel THEM to respond. Do your branding upon them. Message on their minds. Ask them what their pain is. Segment your pitch onto segments known to resonate with your solution.

So, while you may not afford to boil the ocean, you can affordably laser onto those pockets of prosperity. Boiling oceans is wasteful and should be prevented, but the economic climate is definitely warming in key areas, and you should invest in participating – or helping kick-start – in this warming trend.

No one likes a show-off, but SimplyDIRECT is pleased to announce that 2009 is off to a recession-defying start with the return of clients to the engaging of new clients.

“There’s no question that we’re all on edge,” explained Doug Barth, “but we like those edgy clients who market into this economy. We’ve been told repeatedly that ‘… yours is one of the few programs we’re running’ and we respect that.”

New, expanding or returning clients in 2009 include:
CA
Clearwell Systems
Endeca
IBM
Informatica
Internap
IronKey
Manhattan
Marathon Technologies
MarkMonitor
Novell
Precise Software
ThreatMetrix
Veracode
VMware
Workday

“We’re actually poised to have our best year since the bubble,” said Barth. “Only this time we’ve all learned how to keep it from popping.”

“I’ve cut everything in my budget except SimplyDIRECT.” So explains Oonagh O’Regan, Director of Marketing for Vaultus, provider of mobile application access solutions. Except for those marketing departments who’ve stopped all spending, maintaining forward progress often means sharpening your focus only on the targets that matter. To Vaultus, and others, this translates to precisely identifying key contacts, in high-value accounts, and then maximizing response rates to programs designed to engage and qualify those targets.

“Ours is a one-two punch,” explained Doug Barth, president of SimplyDIRECT. “We first build super high-accuracy email lists, and then design lead gen programs that achieve guaranteed high response rates within your key accounts.”

“SimplyDIRECT got us into 62% of the accounts we targeted,” said Terry Hunt, Director of Marketing Programs for E2open. “That’s just amazing. And because they don’t do with telemarketing, the person contacted is often more open to an extended dialogue.”

“More than ever the people who buy our services are putting their jobs on the line,” Barth said. “We respect that, and take every assignment very, very seriously.”

SimplyDIRECT is a marketing services firm that helps clients identify, engage and qualify prospects with maximum precision. Its offerings include survey-based lead generation, building target account databases and cleaning and enhancing inquiries and leads. Founded in 1996 and based in Sudbury, Massachusetts the company is privately held.