Merkle Direct Marketing Selects Demaree PR to Manage Multi-faceted Public Relations Campaign

GERMANTOWN, MD, July 9, 2003, Demaree Public Relations, Inc. (www.demaree-pr.com), an agency specializing in the delivery of world-class public relations services to high-tech companies, announced that the firm has been selected by Merkle Direct Marketing, Inc., of Lanham, Maryland, to manage its nationwide public relations campaign. Merkle, a premier provider of database marketing services, selected Demaree Public Relations as agency of record to provide strategic consulting and media relations services to help distinguish Merkle as a key provider of advanced database marketing and direct mail solutions.

Merkle provides services to about 300 clients, comprising both public and private companies, non-profits, and the U.S. military. Included on the Merkle client roster are organizations such as American Express Financial Advisors, Dell Computers, DIRECTV, Marriott Vacation Clubs, Nationwide Insurance, Phillips Publishing, the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service, and the United States Marine Corps.

Merkle CEO and President, David Williams said, “The fact that Merkle is now actively pursuing opportunities to get our key messages out to an increased number of publications, news sources, and industry experts is a reflection of the company’s natural evolution into a nationally known database marketing firm. We decided to partner with Demaree Public Relations because of its solid experience and success in working with companies that provide advanced technological services and solutions.”

In April 2003, independent research firm Forrester Research (www.forrester.com) published a Wave Brief entitled, “Buyer’s Guide to Database Marketing Service Providers,” that cites Merkle as the leader in database marketing services. The Forrester brief evaluated the top 10 out of over 30 national database marketing service providers in the areas of database marketing, technology, and analytical services.

Demaree Public Relations President and Founder, Dan Demaree, stated, “We are excited to represent Merkle, a company that is rapidly gaining recognition as an innovative leader in the database marketing and direct marketing industries. Merkle is successfully leveraging a combination of new technologies and marketing savvy to help drive corporate growth for its global customers.”

About Merkle

Headquartered in Lanham, Maryland, Merkle Direct Marketing, Inc. has been delivering high-quality information-based database marketing services to clients across the United States for more than 30 years. By applying database marketing strategies and unparalleled database infrastructure to direct marketing programs, the company enables its clients to close the gap between marketing strategy and implementation, which can lead to significant improvements in new customer acquisition, customer retention, maximization and profitability. The company’s services and solutions include strategic consulting, business intelligence, marketing knowledge center development and maintenance, analytical services, data products, list processing, mail production, and response processing services. A privately held corporation, Merkle has over 700 employees and approximately 300 clients. For additional information, contact Merkle at (301) 459-9700, or visit: www.merklenet.com.

About Demaree Public Relations, Inc.

Founded in 1998, Demaree Public Relations, Inc. is a highly focused public relations agency specializing in the delivery of world-class public relations services to emerging high-tech companies. The firm has a proven track record representing a variety of e-commerce companies, software firms, system integrators, consulting firms, high-tech manufacturers, and specialized service companies. With offices near Washington, D.C. and Boston, Demaree Public Relations has the experience and key industry contacts to help launch new companies and new products, and to significantly increase the name recognition and industry presence of existing companies. For more information, call 240-686-1000.

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