1979

Jim Litwin here. Yes, I've changed jobs and am now director of database marketing at SmartSource Direct, a division of News America Marketing, the FSI and in-store leader. News America is part of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch¹s media giant that owns Fox and all the newspapers. (And, no, I had nothing to do with Temptation Island!). SmartSource Direct runs loyalty/frequent shopper card programs for various grocers, drug chains and other retailers and I will be mining these databases for marketing opportunities.

I made the move from MyPoints.com because I felt there was a more immediate opportunity at SSD to get involved with retailer data and make an impact on their business. While I enjoyed what I was doing at MyPoints and learned a great deal, the SSD opportunity was simply better.

After spending my first week in Boston for orientation, I am now in my office in Chicago. Please note my new contact information above.

Hiro Matsuzaki reports from Tokyo that he was appointed secretary general of The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC). Its core activity is to improve the communication skills of Japanese business leaders in a global economy. The institute administers the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) and last year attained their goal of testing the English proficiency of over one million Japanese. He writes that he and his wife, Sachiko, still miss Virginia. Along with their three sons, they returned to Japan three years ago. Hiro can be reached at hmatsuzaki@ toeic.or.jp.