DMA Appoints Peggy Hudson Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the world's largest trade association for advancing and protecting responsible data-driven marketing, today announced the appointment of Peggy Renken Hudson as senior vice president, government affairs.

Hudson brings to DMA a broad and powerful policymaking network, the ability to build coalitions and strategic alliances, and a demonstrated expertise in furthering industry agendas by working with key stakeholders.  She used these talents most recently as CEO of Hudson Global Strategies, LLC, and prior to that, as vice president, federal and international affairs of BP America.  She has successfully led lobbying on a number of initiatives, including three comprehensive energy bills; a bill supporting the Alaska Gas Pipeline; legislation on highway and airport construction; and legislation to increase the deductibility of small business health insurance costs.  Hudson also brings with her an extensive history of public speaking and media appearances, including televised appearances on C-SPAN and CNN.

"Peggy has a distinguished track record advocating for necessary legislation, building bridges, and formulating policy strategy for a wide variety of businesses and industries," said Linda A. Woolley, DMA president and CEO.  "Her extensive experience with the media and public speaking will prove beneficial to our communication strategy with legislators and journalists — particularly at a time when this industry is in need of widespread understanding and clarity about what we do.  We are excited to have her join us at this crucial time for the data-driven marketing industry."

Hudson has led a number of coalitions, chaired the American Petroleum Institute's Tax Committee, and served on the API Government Affairs Committee, and successfully developed relationships with international diplomats and leaders from the UK, Russia, China, Georgia, Trinidad, and other countries on issues affecting BP during her tenure there as vice president. She also has been featured in Washingtonian Magazine as one of the "Top 100" women leaders, and in Washington Life Magazine as one of the "Power 100."

Hudson will replace longtime DMA senior vice president of government affairs, Jerry Cerasale, who will work side-by-side with her until his planned retirement at the end of the year. "We are so grateful to Jerry for his nearly twenty years of remarkable dedication and distinguished service," Woolley says.  "With his outstanding record of advocacy and commitment to our industry, he has been an invaluable asset to the Association and to the entire data-driven marketing community.  We will all miss Jerry, and are glad for this overlap period with Peggy that will make the transition more seamless for our members."   

About Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

The Direct Marketing Association (http://www.thedma.org) is the world's largest trade association dedicated to advancing and protecting responsible data-driven marketing.  Founded in 1917, DMA represents thousands of companies and nonprofit organizations that use and support data-driven marketing practices and techniques.

In 2012, marketers — commercial and nonprofit — spent $168.5 billion on direct marketing, which accounts for 52.7 percent of all ad expenditures in the United States.  Measured against total US sales, these advertising expenditures generated approximately $2.05 trillion in incremental sales. In 2012, direct marketing accounted for 8.7 percent of total US gross domestic product and produces 1.3 million direct marketing employees in the US.  Their collective sales efforts directly support 7.9 million other jobs, accounting for a total of 9.2 million US jobs.

SOURCE Direct Marketing Association, Inc.