Much of the SBPs activity is driven by the business plans that are generated within the Councils. Representatives from each SBP liase with each Council thereby aligning experienced, knowledgeable DMA staff with Council activities.

The seven programmes are as follows:

One of the core activities of the DMA is to protect the interests of DMA members from harmful legislation that might restrict their business. The legal and public affairs department proactively monitor all legislative developments both in the UK and Brussels to identify, and assess, the implications for the direct marketing industry.

For further information please visit the legal area

The DMA manages the industry's preference services: the Mailing Preference Service (MPS); Baby Mailing Preference Servcies (BMPS); Telephone Preference Service (TPS); Corporate Telephone Preference Servcie (CTPS); and the Fax Preference Service. It also provides a gateway to the global Email Preference Service (EMPS) managed by the US DMA. DMA members who inform and educate the consumer and the industry of their rights by displaying the preference service logos, promote themselves as responsible users of direct marketing thereby giving them a competitive advantage.

For further information please visit the preference services area.

As part of an ongoing commitment to raising industry standards and promoting consumer safeguards, the DMA develops best practice initiatives covering specific areas of direct marketing.

To maintain best practice and members' commitment to it, the DMA continually monitors activity and promotes the use of the DMA logo.

For further information please visit the best practice area.

The DMA seeks to be the portal of direct marketing knowledge and experience. What is going on in the industry? What is new? What is the latest research and who is doing it? What are the trends and experiences across the various channels and sectors?

The DMA Research Centre provides information and research free of charge to members giving them a competitive advantage in the area of business planning and strategy. All information is available online.

For further information please visit the research area.

The DMA runs a range of professional seminars, conferences and training programmes throughout the country - catering for all levels of expertise and covering all aspects of direct marketing for both clients and suppliers.

Such events provide attendees with the opportunity to develop their skills, network with their peers and cultivate business leads.

For further information please visit the events.

To help fulfil the DMA's mission of developing consumer trust and confidence in direct marketing, the DMA works to maintain a positive image of direct marketing through trade, regional and national press, online, TV editorial and advertising coverage. This in turn benefits the development of members' business, especially for those who display the DMA logo.

For further information please visit the consumer area link to 'introduction' page, within the 'dma for consumers menu.

Maximising competitive advantage for our members is one of our most important priorities. Initiatives to address this include accreditation schemes, online directories, promoting member's services to external audiences and arranging a number of business service discounts.

In order to further these initiatives DMA Councils have a core focus on member business development. This allows the DMA to make best use of member expertise in order to deliver commercial value to our members.

For further information please visit the Council area.