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10.2 Direct marketing

As defined by Kotler et al. (2004, p. 696), direct marketing is 'an interactive system of marketing which uses one or more advertising media to effect a measurable response and/or transaction at any location'. Not only is it a measurable response but a direct response, usually in the form of increased sales. Once regarded as only direct mail activities, direct marketing now encompasses many different forms as shown in Table 18.1 on page 699 of your text.

Turn now to the reading for your text's introduction to direct marketing and note the importance placed on interaction between buyers and sellers.

In your text

Kotler et al. (2004) Chapter 18, pp. 692-699, 'Direct and online marketing' and 'What is direct marketing?'.

Activity 10.1

Write a paragraph that explains the differences between mass marketing and one-to-one marketing and provide some examples within the maritime industry.

At one time or another most of us would have been influenced by direct marketing attempts. Think about the glossy catalogues or brochures we receive stuffed into our letterboxes, or the telephone operators who ring us during our evening meal to ask for donations for charities. Who hasn't been tempted to ring the 1-800 number to order that product we can no longer do without, and we must do it now so we also receive the free set of steak knives-that's right, another victim of direct marketing.

Kotler et al. (2004) discusses a number of direct marketing techniques including:

Turn now to your text to find out more about each of these techniques and ten tips on using direct mail techniques.

In your text

Kotler et al. (2004) Chapter 18, pp. 714-718, 'Direct marketing tools and techniques'.

Reading 10.1

Plaskitt, S. 2004, 'Tricky lessons for DM', B&T Weekly , 2 April, p. 8.

Consider this

Does your organisation make use of any of the above direct marketing techniques? If yes, are they effective; if no, what techniques should the organisation begin implementing first?

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