The direct marketing-direct consumer gap: Qualitative insights

The need to explore consumer reactions to any form of marketing is central to the marketing concept and this paper reports part of an industry-funded project to investigate how consumers interact with direct marketing. The programme was qualitative, based on both individual depth interviews and group discussions. A theme of “paradox” emerged from the research in a variety of ways. Consumers generally take a pragmatic view of marketing activity, but at the same time they are sceptical of much direct marketing. The research identifies consumers’ key concerns with direct marketing as: privacy, control and relevance. The resulting “gaps” between direct marketing practice and consumer expectations and desires produce clearer areas for the direct marketer to address.