DMA Chairman Urges Marketers to Leverage DMA Resources to Address Industry Opportunities and Challenges

(Press release, Oct. 27, 2014) — Calling for marketers to collaborate in order to capitalize on opportunities and overcome industry challenges, Direct Marketing Association Chairman JoAnne Monfradi Dunn used her opening remarks at DMA 2014 in San Diego to challenge marketers to work together to advance data-driven marketing. DMA2014 is the world's largest annual gathering of data-driven marketing professionals.

In her keynote address, Dunn noted that marketers operate in an environment characterized by explosive channel complexity, increased regulatory scrutiny, and a growing expectation on the part of consumers for brands to responsibly deliver data-driven engagements. "We all know these challenges," said Dunn, addressing thousands of DMA2014 attendees in the San Diego Convention Center. "We face them every day. But fortunately, we don't have to face them alone."

"From using DMA's training resources and customized educational offerings, to engaging with DMA on such issues as data governance, our members accelerate their business effectiveness when they are involved in our industry and association," said Dunn. "DMA members logged over 70,000 hours last year alone in DMA education and training programs, and contributed time and insights to our advocacy efforts before the U.S. Congress and the 50 state capitals where self-regulation and so many of our issues are in play."

Dunn also pointed to the dynamic innovation accelerating data-driven marketing effectiveness - including the role of fast-growing channels such as digital, video, and mobile - to ignite customer engagement. She noted that DMA2014 is the unmatched "global collaboration event" for the industry, with over 250 exhibitors and sponsors and more than 150 education sessions.

"DMA is delivering two types of magic to our industry here in San Diego this year. The first is Magic Johnson, an athlete turned innovator who will kick off our conference," Dunn said. "The second is the kind of magic that happens when brilliant ideas collide with advanced technology, leading-edge marketing practices and peer-to-peer networking. That is at the heart of DMA."