Naperville, Illinois, USA – October 13, 2005 – Allant, a Marketing Optimization solution provider, and Eric Schmitt, Principal Analyst, Forrester Research, will speak at the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing’s Bob Stone Education Day scheduled for November 9, 2005.  Eric will deliver “Direct Marketing Gets a Promotion” as the keynote luncheon speaker.  “We are very excited about Eric speaking at an event that is designed to provide a high quality educational experience to attendees,” said Joe DeCosmo, President of CADM and Senior Principal, Analytic Solutions for Allant.  There is a great deal of change impacting the direct marketing industry and Forrester’s research on both the client side and service side is extremely insightful and relevant to the direct marketing community today.     

Eric’s presentation will begin by highlighting key changes in consumer behavior.  It will include Forrester’s observations on how marketing organizations are – at least in theory – adapting to these new behaviors.  Almost inevitably, these reorganizations are handing direct and database marketing more influence – and responsibility – than ever before.  More influence means bigger budgets, and increased spending, but on what?  Eric will answer this question by discussing the direction of the marketing software and services industries.  The presentation will include data culled from Forrester’s 2005 surveys of tens of thousands of consumers and hundreds of database marketers.    

Mark Kovscek, Senior Principal, Strategic Consulting, for Allant will also be a panelist for one of the educational sessions on the topic of “Successful Balancing of Acquisition and Retention Efforts.”   Mark will discuss concepts for effectively optimizing customer value by acquiring, growing and retaining “customers who count” through advanced strategic and analytic capabilities that drive superior communication strategies.    

CADM’s Sixth Annual Bob Stone Education Day is being held at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza at 350 North Orleans Street in Chicago on November 9th, 2005.  The event features a full day of interactive sessions for intermediate direct marketers and provides a unique opportunity to network and learn the latest techniques of the trade.  For more information on this event please contact Cari Elder, Marketing Manager, for Allant at 800 367 7311 or log on to www.cadm.org.

About Allant
Allant is a Marketing Optimization solution provider that leverages predictive intelligence, strategic and analytic services and marketing automation to maximize marketing spend productivity, strategy and results for its clients. Founded in 1984, Allant has built core competencies in data management, database services, analytics and strategy which are delivered by highly skilled professionals. For more information on Allant and its products, services and solutions, call 800 367 7311 or visit Allant on-line at www.allantgroup.com.