Typically, a company’s internal data from its
marketing operations is used to develop and manage its
CRM activities. But other databases, such as those
available externally from syndicated sources, are also
available for purchase or lease directly from brokers
who design the database, compile the data, continually
update the database, and market the data to their
clients. One form of data that has been available for
many years for use by marketing professionals is
“mailing list data,” which in the past consisted of
information on individuals or companies and was
available on output formats such as computer paper,
index cards, mailing labels, or magnetic data tapes.
However, during the past few years, these traditional
“mailing lists” have become available on the Internet
as well as on CD-ROM and DVD. These multifaceted,
direct marketing “mailing files” consist of names,
addresses, phone numbers, and several other pieces of
information that can be used to develop marketing
campaigns. Because of their wide availability and high
tech nature, these databases can be used like never
before in the development of marketing campaigns to
both current customers and prospective customers
alike.