Redwood City, Calif. - April 5, 2005 - Connect Direct, a full service agency specializing in direct marketing for high technology companies, was recently named the fifth largest advertising agency in Silicon Valley, based on gross income from advertising services, by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. Of the top five firms, only Connect Direct is focused exclusively on direct marketing, making it the largest independent direct marketing agency in the area.

The ranking caps two years of explosive growth by the Redwood City-based firm. Since 2002, Connect Direct has increased gross revenues more than 400 percent, and expanded staff from six to 19. And they're still hiring. "This time last year, we were managing about 30 campaigns," says Howard J. Sewell, the company's founder and president. "This year, we're up to 47. The demand for our services has spiked significantly, even after a year of momentous growth."

How to Stay Afloat in a Recession

Connect Direct helps clients develop the optimal mix of response-oriented strategies in order to meet specific sales or marketing objectives. Founded as a direct mail agency in 1990, the firm now creates and manages a wide range of direct marketing campaigns, from direct mail and e-mail to paid search, content syndication, e-newsletters, and event promotion.

Even though the agency's target market, high-technology, suffered more than most in the recent recession, Connect Direct is one of the few Silicon Valley "boutique" marketing agencies to survive the economic downturn. Sewell attributes the agency's staying power to a number of factors.

"We've always maintained our focus on direct, response-oriented marketing," he says. "When business was tough, I think a lot of our competitors fell victim to the temptation of trying to be all things to all people, and they lost credibility as a result. Because we stuck to our guns, we've developed a reputation as specialists, and in the Valley, word of mouth is your best salesman."

Industry trends have helped also. "At the height of the dot com boom, branding was the buzz word, and people didn't care whether or not they could show a return on their investment," Sewell adds. "Then when budgets dried up, the focus turned to measurable, ROI-based programs, and that's played to our strength."

Credit Goes to Staff

Last but not least, Sewell credits his staff for the company's enviable growth rate. "We've been fortunate enough to build a stellar group of employees who truly care about what they do, and most importantly, make this a great place to come to work," he says. "I'm a firm believer in "happy employees make for happy clients." We have a great culture at Connect Direct that reflects in the work we do for our clients."

About Connect Direct

Connect Direct (http://www.connectdirect.com/) is a full-service agency that specializes in direct marketing for high-technology companies. Founded in 1990, the company has produced hundreds of successful campaigns for companies ranging from start-ups to some of the biggest names in high-tech. Connect Direct clients include BEA, Covad, and E.piphany.

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Contact:
Allison Spiller
Allison Spiller & Associates
408-267-1173
aspillerassociates@pacbell.net