NEW DIRECT MARKETING FIRM FORMED

By: Burney Simpson, October 11, 2005

Three direct marketing firms specializing in statement stuffing have combined to create V12 Group, the new firm reported today. Paul Chachko, V12's CEO, tells CardLine the company has about 70% of the domestic credit card insertion market, with 47 of the top 50 banks as clients, along with major retailers and gas companies. The three firms that formed V12 are Datagence, a provider of demographic databases, and Media Solution Services and Spectra Products, both providers of in-statement services. Chachko was CEO of Datagence. Terms of the merger were not disclosed. Combining the three means V12 can offer customer data analysis, direct marketing and e-mail marketing under one roof, Chachko says. Growing V12's email business positions it to serve the 25% of credit cardholders that will shift to online statements in the next decade, says Chachko. V12 is categorized as a below-the-line (BTL) marketer offering targeted marketing in contrast to the mass marketing of television, radio and print products. V12 is based in New York City.