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Knee-jerk Reaction: Infogroup Email

Talk about setting a bad example…let me count the ways:

  1. Identical messages, sent days apart
  2. Both hit my junk folder
  3. Multiple use of the word “email blast”
  4. Two separate opt-out mechanisms
  5. I’ve never opted-in to receive email from Infogroup, formally infoUSA

infoUSA Inforgroup Spam Folder

Email Blast? Really?
Update: I received yet another identical email today (01/29/10). Geez.

– Scott Hardigree | Indiemark | @indiescott

Scott Hardigree
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10 Comments

  • by George
    Posted January 29, 2010 4:36 pm 0Likes

    Don’t those guys own an email marketing company?

    • by Scott Hardigree
      Posted February 1, 2010 12:11 pm 0Likes

      Yes, several. Including Walter Karl and YesMail!

  • by Bryan
    Posted January 29, 2010 6:36 pm 0Likes

    As an industry leader in what we do, we’re sorry to hear you think we set a bad example. We’ve been actively listening and we’ve heard you loud and clear. If you will supply us the email addresses with which you’ve received our correspondence, we’d be happy to tell you as much as we can about when and how those addresses were opted in. Also, we utilize many opt-out mechanisms in the delivery of our marketing messages. Please be assured that ALL opt-out mechanisms work exactly as described: email addresses are removed within 10 days of the request.

    Should you wish to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to email or call. We will be happy to follow up with you as soon as possible.

    Best regards,

    Bryan Jennewein – Director of Social Media

    Infogroup

    Bryan.jennewein@infogroup.com

    402-537-7743

    • by Scott Hardigree
      Posted February 1, 2010 12:20 pm 0Likes

      I agree that Infogroup, through acquisitions, has become the leader in data compilation, brokerage, and management. But I can’t say the same for their approach to email marketing.

      Regarding the unsolicited mailings, it’s not a big deal at least for me. I worked in the list industry for many years. I get it. But others might not.

      Based on this series of emails, it’s clear that the core data group should enlist the services of YesMail.

      • by productreportstoday
        Posted February 1, 2010 3:49 pm 0Likes

        If you look at the creative, the footer shows multiple opt outs because Infogroup seems to be running an affiliate program and most likely paying the list owner that sent their creative / offer a commission based upon the success or conversions of the campaign.

        These are called CPA campaigns and are running rampant these days because the advertiser gets their message out there with no risk and pay nothing for their message to be broadcast unless it returns dividends.

        All it does is screw up the reputation of the sender’s IP addresses with the ISPs since the recipient of the message has no recollection of opting into the offer, however, they may have opted into the sender’s list.

  • by keith kouzmanoff
    Posted February 1, 2010 5:58 pm 0Likes

    Its pretty small print, so it’s hard to make out – but the opt out links looks like DotCom got your email address, not necessarily infoUSA… However, they probably also have it too.

    DotCom is what they commonly refer to as the “publishers” of the e-blast (couldn’t resist) for the “advertiser” InfoUSA.

    2cents

  • by Scott Hardigree
    Posted February 1, 2010 6:22 pm 0Likes

    It could be that DotCom (dotcom-mail.com) is an actual publisher, CPA or otherwise. Or perhaps both opt-out mechanisms as well as the list belong to Infogroup.

    If the latter is true, they might do this because they only want me to remove myself from a small segment (DotCom) of their master prospect list (Infogroup). So that they can continue to mail me and remain compliant.

    In either case it explains to some degree why their mailings only hit my junk mail folders.

    Thanks guys.

  • by Lisa Bowen
    Posted February 2, 2010 10:48 pm 0Likes

    This is the top of the iceberg, as far as I’m concerned.

    At least InfoGroup is claiming their e-mail addresses are opt-in.

    What about the proliferation of e-mail addresses available for sale through Jigsaw (and their relatively new partners-Hoovers, D&B and SalesView), ZoomInfo and the like.

    I checked into this about a year ago and apparently it’s not illegal for anyone to blast to these now-so-easily-compiled e-mail addresses as long as they comply with the CAN-SPAM Act, which basically means honest FROM/SUBJECT lines and a clear opt-out option…

    Unfortunately, I think many users of these data products don’t even know about the CAN-SPAM Act, or e-mail best practices…

  • by Infogroup TheWorst
    Posted November 16, 2010 2:29 pm 0Likes

    I’ve tried to ‘opt-out’ of Infogroup’s mass mailings several times after receiving several unwanted offers. I still receive spam from them about once a week. It’s ridiculous. Argue all you want about the CAN-SPAM act and ‘utilizing many opt-out mechanisms’. Infogroup STILL sends the unwanted emails. It’s not even about the emails themselves since it only takes a second to delete. It’s about the unwanted solicitation in the first place. The added insult is the fat that they won’t stop sending the emails after trying their opt-out mechanisms. Simply ridiculous. I sincerely hope these people that run Infogroup find real jobs someday.

  • by Brandon Hume
    Posted February 10, 2011 8:32 am 0Likes

    I’ve received spam from Infogroup as well… and yes, it’s spam. They crow about being “CAN-SPAM” compliant, but they are definitely not Canadian Privacy Law compliant… and if they don’t want to be, they shouldn’t be spamming Canadian users…. y’know, the addresses ending in “.ca”.

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