Julia Porter, Guardian News & Media’s director of consumer revenues, has been named as the newly elected chair of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). Porter succeeds Scott Logie, partner at the Mothership Group and MD of Red Wigwam, who took up the chair in January 2011. Shaun Bailey, chief executive of Jacob Bailey, chair of the DMA Agencies Council and member of the DMA board, becomes deputy chair.
During her three years on the DMA board Porter has helped steer the organisation through a significant period of strategic redevelopment in which its membership increased by more than one-third. Porter has a long track record of strategic marketing and communications leadership for media brands including ITV, Getty Images and IPC Magazines.
Speaking at the start of her three-year tenure, Porter said that her focus will be on transforming the support the DMA offers its members to capitalise on the industry’s tech-driven shift from one-to-one, to one-to-one to millions communications:
“New technologies have given us the tools to extend one-to-one marketing to connect with millions of people. We’ll be ensuring that our members stay at the forefront of industry developments through the creation of an open, connected community of experts, mentors, change agents and thought providers who will be the creative engine of the one-to-one to millions industry.
“This is an exciting time for the DMA; over the last three years we’ve reinvigorated the organisation and we’re ready to move forwards. We will create a vibrant community, online or in person, which will provide a focus for campaigning, sharing best practice and networking for all our members.”