Episode 012, bringing you news and commentary about direct marketing, and “general nonsense about general nonsense,” according to Mike. We introduce the Magic Hat Brewing Company’s Magic Hat #9, the “Not Quite Pale Ale,” which enhanced our discussions for this show. Nate gives a hearty endorsement for twitter.com’s highly interactive “microblogging,” then salutes the genius of one of twitter’s bright shining stars, Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV. Gary is really pushing Web 2.0 to the limit with his venture. Definitely check him out, especially if you love wine! We briefly discuss a wonderfully entertaining article from the Christian Science Monitor and Thomas Fox, a writer and development director in New Jersey. It’s called “How Junk Mail Stole My Heart,” and if you’ve often marveled at the copywriting excellence junk mail letters display, this article is a must read! Click here to check it out. We finally scratch the surface on the debate of greener direct mail practices. This is a real hot button issue in the press right now. We’d like those who lament about direct mail’s impact on the environment to step up with some actual figures and comparisons. Sure, we may all get 41 pounds of junk mail every year, but give us more! What hurts the environment more- direct mail or a paper receipt at Target or Wal-Mart? Direct Mail or newspapers? So why single out direct mail? Sites like greendimes.com and 41pounds.org are claiming they can help the average citizen virtually eliminate junk mail. What can those services do that the DMA’s Mail Preference Service can’t? Email us with your comments… junkmailgalaxy@gmail.com. The music featured in this episode is “Saint of Containment” by The Bloodsugars. The guys are from New York City and are desribed as an “amalgamation of indie rock and 80’s synth pop with excellent songwriting rooted in the classics of 60/70’s pop.” The song is courtesy of the band at http://www.thebloodsugars.com and the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com! Don’t miss the quick video of Mike’s friend Jimmy getting tortured by Mike and friend Pete Jr. as the credits roll. Lastly, here’s a big hello to our friend Eliot over at veedeepee.com. Eliot discussed our show in one of his recent blogs and we are truly grateful for the kind words! We’ll be featuring his great website in a future episode.