Monthly ERA Update
On the last Monday of every month, ERA president and CEO, Julie Coons, addresses the ERA membership to deliver important and time-sensitive information. The content of these monthly e-mails ranges from upcoming ERA events to ERA's involvement in industry-related activities on the Hill. Check back monthly for the latest Monthly ERA Update from Julie Coons. To learn about becoming an ERA member, visit retailing.org/membership or contact VP of membership, Robin Greenspan.
August '10 Update | July '10 Update | June '10 Update |
May '10 Update | April '10 Update | March '10 Update
Monthly ERA Update: Welcome New Members of the ERA Board of Directors – August 2010
Dear ERA members:
September is just about upon us, and it is always a critical month for ERA. Perhaps the most obvious reason is that September is the month we host the industry’s premier trade show—the ERA D2C Convention. (This year we have special reason to celebrate: 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of our flagship event.)
The month is also important—to the association and, by extension, to the industry at large—in that it’s during September that we welcome new members to the association’s board of directors, in addition to naming a new board chairman.
In fact, this year we welcome eight volunteer leaders to the board. They join existing board members to create a board that not only is comprised of gifted and talented leaders, but one which is also balanced, as well as reflective of the industry which it represents; as such, it’s perfectly constituted to provide leadership in what is sure to be a pivotal 2010-11.
This year, we welcome two more women to the board: Omni Direct’s Denira Borrero and Cecilia Turner of International Commerce Agency. Both bring extensive DR experience—both domestic and international—and join incumbents Stacy Durand of Revenue Frontier/Media Design Group and Murad’s Carey Grange to give us four female senior executives on the board.
Harry Hill of Oak Lawn Marketing Group will broaden the board’s international representation and add an Asian perspective. (In addition, John Mills—of John Mills Limited—will represent Europe as the new chairman of the board of ERA Europe.)
DRTV marketers are certainly foundational members of our association, and BJ Fazeli of BJ Global Direct and veteran industry and ERA leader Elliott Segal from Guthy-Renker add to our representation of this crucial sector of the industry.
HSN’s Greg Henchel will ensure that we continue to have a board presence from the home-shopping space. Dave Wallace of Syndero brings a wealth of experience from the e-commerce world. Matt Fisher is SVP and GM of direct response at LiveOps, a very techno-centric company with leadership that has its roots in e-commerce, as well.
Taking the helm as chairman will be Jeff Tuller, president of Savvier. Jeff, a true industry leader, has been a valued member of the association for many years, continually taking on positions of increasing responsibility. A member of the Strategic Planning Committee, Jeff is well positioned to lead the association in the first year of the three-year implementation of the strategic plan. As new vice chairman, SF Video’s Steve Feinberg will ascend to leadership for the 2011-2012 term.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize outgoing chairman Lee Swanson and thank him for his outstanding service throughout the year. Lee has led ERA through an extremely transformative period. He served as vice chair during the re-launch of the ERA D2C Convention and ERA’s mid-winter event, The Great Ideas Summit. As chairman, Lee was an enormously positive influence and helped drive the approval of the strategic planning process and saw it through to its successful conclusion with the ultimate board approval of the strategic plan.
The first year of implementation of our strategic plan is absolutely critical, and one that is likely to produce challenges. And as we head into this important phase of ERA’s development, I couldn’t be more pleased with the assembled ERA volunteer leadership and trust that, as members, you share my enthusiasm and look forward to working with them in the coming year.
I hope to see many of you soon at the ERA D2C Convention, September 21-23 at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Best wishes,
 |
 Julie Coons President and CEO Electronic Retailing Association |
Monthly ERA Update: 2010 D2C Keynote Speaker – July 2010
Dear ERA members:
 |
I am pleased to announce the keynote speaker for the 2010 ERA D2C Convention, held September 21-23 at the Wynn Las Vegas. Love Goel, chairman and CEO of GVG Capital, will deliver a presentation titled “Innovation 3.0: Winning Customers in a Multichannel World.”
Mr. Goel’s credentials are truly remarkable. While a 20-something COO, he transformed the department store chain Macy’s and catalog retailer Fingerhut into two of the world’s top-two multichannel retailers. He is the only CEO ever to have built three Internet start-ups into billion dollar companies. At GVG Capital, Mr. Goel has acquired 25 multichannel companies and amassed more than $30 billion in shareholder value. A sought-after speaker and multichannel retail consultant, he has advised some of the world’s most successful and iconic brands, such as Wal-Mart, Google, Apple, Nike, Amazon, Tiffany, Starbucks, Walgreen’s, among many others.
Mr. Goel will outline the new rules for success in a retail environment that is shifting on a daily basis. It’s one where customers have more information about products, prices and promotions than ever before, and more channels to buy from—and where retailers have more data concerning their customers than ever before, and more channels through which to market and sell their products. We’re living in a retail world that’s transforming dramatically before our very eyes, and Mr. Goel can help us adapt and innovate—which, he says, marks the difference between extinction and success.
Mr. Goel will tailor his remarks for the direct response industry. He has extensive experience in our space and is extremely optimistic regarding its future, believing steadfastly that our industry has a skill set that makes it well positioned for success in the retail environment of tomorrow.
Mr. Goel’s keynote address will be delivered on Wednesday, September 22 at 9:00 a.m., following Tuesday’s Education Day. New this year, all attendees will be able to attend the address. Both All Access Pass and Show Floor Only Pass holders are invited to what’s sure to be a compelling and informative event.
For more information about the 2010 ERA D2C Convention, its robust education program, tradeshow, networking events and other activities, please visit D2Cshow.org.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Best wishes,
|
Julie Coons President and CEO Electronic Retailing Association |
Monthly ERA Update: Direct Advocacy – June 2010
Dear ERA Members,
I am pleased to report an important win in what has quickly emerged this year as the front-burner government affairs topic for the direct-to-consumer industry: data-pass and advance-consent marketing.
Most of you are aware that Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act in May. It’s a piece of legislation that would impose significant restrictions on online negative options and other advance-consent marketing practices—practices that have been leveraged ethically and to great success for years by many members of the ERA.
Thanks to an extensive advocacy effort undertaken by ERA members and staff, a particularly onerous provision has been stricken from the bill. Specifically, the Senate Commerce Committee removed language requiring a seller to provide 10 days’ notice (including cancellation instructions) each time a consumer’s account is to be charged.
This important development, together with a legislative calendar that works in our favor leading to the August recess, has me cautiously optimistic that we’ll be able to contain this issue. However, I must emphasize that it remains a fast-moving issue. If we’ve learned anything as this matter has developed, it’s that anything can happen.
I can say with utter certainty, however, that this matter reflects the critical importance that legislative and regulatory issues have on our industry. Because of this—and to reflect ERA’s efforts to increase the association’s reach and influence in defense of the industry—you’ll see government affairs assume a greater role at the 2010 ERA D2C Convention this September 21-23 at the Wynn Las Vegas.
This year at the event, we’re introducing a new education track dedicated to legislative and regulatory issues. “ERA Government Affairs: Protecting Your Profitability” will join tracks devoted to direct response success, digital marketing intelligence and business operations and profitability to comprise our most robust and comprehensive education program ever. The four tracks—together with the popular DRTV 101 class that continues to be in great demand among aspiring direct response marketers—will be presented on our Education Day on Tuesday the 21st.
Four additional Spotlight Sessions will be held on the D2C show floor on the 22nd and 23rd. They will include a comprehensive analysis of the $25 billion affiliate and online performance-based commerce from the direct response marketer’s perspective; a discussion of fast-evolving trends in DRTV production; and case studies featuring the latest innovations in direct response. In addition, it will be my great pleasure to moderate a panel discussion with some of the leading women executives in direct-to-consumer retail.
It’s an education program—and a conference—that you won’t want to miss. Something else you won’t want to miss is our early-bird registration deadline, which arrives this week. If you register by this Thursday, July 1, you can save up to $300. Just click here and be sure to use promo code JULY1 when registering.
Best wishes,
|
Julie Coons President and CEO Electronic Retailing Association |
Monthly ERA Update: Direct Advocacy – May 2010
Dear ERA Members,
Just a couple of weeks ago, two events took place here in Washington, D.C. that are of utmost importance to the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) and its membership.
The 2010 ERA Government Affairs Fly-In was held on May 18th and 19th. It’s arguably the most important event on ERA’s calendar, and while each year’s gathering is crucial to the industry—a fascinating lesson in how our government operates and a personally rewarding experience for all who participate—this year’s GA Fly-In was particularly noteworthy, for a variety of reasons. I’ll focus on two of the most critical.
First, although attendance has grown steadily year to year since the event’s inception, this year saw 40-percent growth over 2009, with industry leaders gathering from across the country to learn more about several key issues impacting direct-to-consumer commerce, and to voice their positions on these issues to their elected officials and policy makers.
Second—and powerfully underscoring the significance of this event—Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced the much-awaited bill on data-pass and advance consent marketing the very day our contingent was on Capitol Hill. Amazingly, in the middle of this very dynamic and fluid environment, a group of members and industry leaders—Jeff Knowles of Venable LLP, Elliot Segal and Dirk van de Bunt of Guthy-Renker, David Wallace of Syndero and Litle & Co.’s Tim Litle—and I were able to meet with the actual authors of the proposed legislation.
It was direct advocacy in real-time, and a timely and serendipitous situation that can only occur in an event like the GA Fly-In. It was a very constructive meeting, with the ERA members forthrightly explaining their view of the impact of this bill on the industry. Of course, we await the policy makers’ reaction to our concerns and proposed amendments to the bill.
I urge you to attend next year’s GA Fly-In and to become involved in our ongoing advocacy efforts. There’s no substitute for the passion and knowledge that actual industry participants bring to the table.
The second event took place on May18th, when ERA’s strategic planning committee presented its plan to the association’s Board of the Directors. As most of you are aware, ERA has undertaken a strategic planning initiative, to outline the association’s goals and objectives, to set forth metrics and milestones to gauge our progress toward those goals and—perhaps most important—to harmonize the Board’s and the members’ vision of ERA’s future.
I’m pleased to report that the plan was approved unanimously, pending the development of next year’s budget. Complete details of the plan will be announced at the 2010 ERA D2C Convention in September in Las Vegas. It was built upon and reflects the input of ERA members and contains eight initiatives focused on growing the association, better defining and communicating the ERA brand and member benefits, becoming a more content-driven organization and making our government affairs efforts a more fundamental element of the association’s DNA.
If you have any questions about the strategic plan, or anything else regarding your association and its direction, please don’t hesitate to call me. I would be pleased to talk with you.
Best regards,
Julie Coons
President and CEO
Electronic Retailing Association
Monthly ERA Update: ERA Event on the Hill – April 2010
Dear ERA Members,
Each May, ERA hosts what I consider to be one of its most important events: the annual Government Affairs Fly-In. Members of the direct-to-consumer commerce community—many of them c-level executives—gather in the nation’s capital to learn more about some of the most important legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry, and then spend an afternoon making their positions known to their individual Senators and Congressmen.
It’s an enjoyable event and personally rewarding, in addition to a superb networking opportunity. But it’s also of vital importance to you and the industry as a whole that our viewpoints are heard on Capitol Hill. And I can assure you—as was borne out last year when the primary issue was the FTC’s proposed changes to its Guides Concerning Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising—they are heard and it does make a difference.
This year, you attendance is more crucial than ever. It’s an incredibly active time here in Washington, on a number of fronts of importance to our industry. The following are just a few:
As you may know, the Senate Commerce Committee is continuing its investigation into data-pass and advance consent marketing practices, including the use of pre-acquired account information, free-trial offers and free-to-pay conversions. Members of our government affairs team and our partner lobbying firm will brief you on the very latest on this fluid and fast-moving issue.
Net neutrality is back on the table, with members of both houses eyeing potential legislation following the FCC’s loss of its case against ComCast and its blockage of BitTorrent; this decision has called into question the FCC’s oversight of ISPs.
Privacy remains an important issue, with a variety of legislative and regulatory bodies examining how personal data should be collected, stored and shared.
And finally, there are concerns that the FTC is attempting to dramatically increase its power through language that’s part of the financial-regulation reform bill. ERA continues to work with a large coalition of industries to oppose these efforts.
Not only are there many crucially important issues currently in play, we’ve revised and enhanced the GA Fly-In’s format. We’ll now host an in-depth webinar one week prior to the event—May 11 at 3:00 p.m. EDT—where experts will brief you on the issues (we will also provide a refresher Q&A session at the GA Fly-In). On the 18th, we’ll conduct an interactive game where attendees will get to experience for themselves some of the day-to-day pressures experienced by members of Congress. Many of us have already participated in the exercise: it’ll be fun, informative—and maybe even a bit competitive. An opening night reception will follow.
On the 19th, we’ll gather for breakfast before being treated to a 2010 electoral projections presentation where political experts will project how the political landscape is likely to change on Election Day 2010. Then, we’ll conduct a lightning round Q&A refresher course before heading over to the Hill for an afternoon of meetings with your elected representatives, where you’ll have the opportunity to communicate your positions on the key issues to your Senators and Congressmen. At the conclusion of the day, we’ll reconvene for a closing reception.
It’s a fast-paced, informative and important day—and one of the most meaningful experiences your association provides. I urge you to attend; you will not regret it. For more information, please visit www.retailing.org/Fly-In.
Best Wishes,
Julie Coons
President and CEO
Electronic Retailing Association
Monthly ERA Update: A Global Association – March 2010
Dear ERA Members,
As we transition into the month of April, springtime and the start of Q2, I hope this letter finds you well and your businesses prosperous. April brings with it a number of important ERA events—both domestic and international—to which I would like to draw your attention.
Here in the U.S., the ERA task force on data-pass and advance-consent marketing will be meeting in Chicago on April 6. As you know, these marketing practices are currently under scrutiny by a variety of government and business entities, including the Senate Commerce Committee, the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general and MasterCard and Visa. The task force—comprised of representatives of the full spectrum of stakeholders in the industry including marketers, payment processing companies, fulfillment companies, industry attorneys, policy experts and the Electronic Self-Regulation Program—will consider revision of ERA’s guidance on general marketing practices, online marketing practices and advance-consent marketing practices. The collected business practice and policy experts will be looking at appropriate language to accurately reflect current best practices in these areas so fundamental to our industry. The goal is to set our industry on solid footing with respect to these business practices, and to ensure that the Senate Commerce Committee, the FTC, the AGs and MasterCard and Visa are comfortable with the guidance we provide to the membership and industry as a whole.
As you know, ERA is a truly global association, with members doing business in their respective markets and around the world. On April 9, ERA Europe will gather in Milan, Italy for its 2010 annual meeting. The ERA Europe Board of Directors, led by Chairman Alexander Chacon, will present the past year’s activities, achievements and plans for the coming year. In addition to the General Assembly and an associated strategic planning meeting, the Milan gathering will present a wealth of networking opportunities.
As many of you know, The Electronic HomeShopping Conference 2010, hosted by ERA Europe, will be held June 27-29 at the Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo. This marks the final year the event will be held in the spectacular Mediterranean seaside resort before moving to Montreux, Switzerland in 2011 and Stockholm, Sweden in 2012. The keynote speaker for this year’s show is Fredrik Haren, founder of interesting.org and author of The Idea Book.
If you’ve yet to attend one of ERA Europe’s annual events, I urge you to put this one on your calendar. I assure you that it will be a conference that provides you with a unique opportunity to learn about the European market and forge new business relationships—and an event that lingers long in memory.
Let me highlight two other global events on the ERA calendar. I am pleased to announce that ERA—after a four-year hiatus—is again hosting a networking reception in Asia. On April 22, during the renowned Hong Kong Houseware Fair, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with industry executives from all over the world at the ERA Networking Reception: Hong Kong, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong—which is conveniently located just a block from the Convention and Exhibition Center.
ERA will once again be in Canada for the ERA Networking Reception: Toronto. Building on last year’s popular event, the reception will be held at Rosewater restaurant during the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) National Convention. It’s an intimate, relaxed venue that’s sure to be a welcome respite from the CMA show floor. For more information about these and all the other events on ERA’s busy calendar, please visit www.retailing.org.
Best Wishes,
Julie Coons
President and CEO
Electronic Retailing Association