IDM celebrates 20th anniversary with a year of initiatives
Released 04 September 2006: This September the Institute of Direct Marketing will be begin its 20th year. The IDM plans to mark the anniversary with a year of initiatives, many of which will give the IDM the opportunity to thank the hundreds of practitioners who have helped shape the profession and have supported the work of the IDM.
The year kicks off with the launch (on 4 Sept) of a new, dedicated 20th anniversary microsite, (http://www.idm20years.com/) and will culminate in a mega party in the summer of 2007. Other initiatives throughout the year include:
- Graduates Reunited event for the 7,000+ graduates to connect with ex-classmates
- New student web site
- 20th Year Annual Lunch with guest speaker, Sir Martin Sorrell
Commenting, Professor Derek Holder, Managing Director of the IDM, said, “It’s a great opportunity for us and all the practitioners who have supported and helped the IDM to reflect back on the past 20 years, and to be honest, to recognise the great achievements and advances that have been made in our discipline. From a perceived tactical medium of the 70s, it is now integral to mainstream business and marketing, while the IDM qualifications have provided career structure for practitioners. Today, DM is a recognised profession - a profession to be proud of - not an industry.”
The IDM was launched in September 1986 by its founders Derek Holder and Caroline Owen-Jones. Caroline now lives in the south of France, but still teaches DM at Montpelier University. With DTI approval, it became a registered charity in 1989 and an Education Trust.
Today the Institute has grown to become an extremely influential force in the direct marketing profession, delivering world class training and internationally recognised qualifications. IDM Membership ensures that the direct marketing community has a means of sharing and developing their knowledge, while the Education Trust makes it its mission to encourage and inspire the next generation of marketing talent to enter the profession.
Note to editors
For more information contact Juliet Hilditch on 020 8614 0229 or email juliethilditch@theidm.com.
