Direct Group has added four direct marketing industry sales veterans with significant experience servicing agencies and the insurance, telecommunications and retail markets.

 

Charles Lauricella joined Direct Group as a member of the senior team. A 27-year direct marketing industry veteran, Lauricella previously was a partner in and executive vice president of US Web, Inc., where he directed a sales force responsible for 70 percent of the company's total sales portfolio. Prior to US Web, he was president and owner of PMA Industries, a family-owned business offering printing, data processing, personalization, mailing, fulfillment and warehousing services. Widely respected as an industry leader, Lauricella will apply his extensive business and direct marketing experience, knowledge and network to support Direct Group's sales infrastructure.

 

Arnold Friedman joined Direct Group as vice president, sales. A 30-year direct marketing industry veteran, Friedman previously owned Elite Direct, a direct mail operation in southern New Jersey that serviced some of the industry's largest customers, and at one time produced 635 million pieces of mail per year. In his new role at Direct Group, Friedman will be responsible for helping build the lettershop and print sides of the business as well as expanding relationships with existing accounts.

 

Eric Koelmel joined Direct Group as National Account Executive. Prior to joining Direct Group, Koelmel was senior sales representative for US Web, Inc., where he handled new business efforts for clients in the financial, agency, publishing, not-for-profit and trade arenas. At US Web, he was responsible for more than $10 million in sales of continuous forms, commercial print and lettershop services. In his new role at Direct Group, Koelmel will be responsible for expanding the company's reach in the agency and telecommunications sectors, working with clients in the Northeast United States

 

David Keith joined the company as national account executive. A sales veteran with nearly 25 years’ experience, Keith was most recently with Transcontinental Direct where he was a senior sales executive responsible for the development of new business focusing on direct mail, commercial and form printing, fulfillment, and data management. Keith has served in numerous management positions for direct marketing service providers and companies including MetroGroup Marketing Services, Inc., Protocol Integrated Direct Marketing, CMGI, Inc./SalesLink Corporation, and Office Depot. At Direct Group, Keith, who is based in Manchester, N.H., will be responsible for building client relationships and helping enhance Direct Group's presence in New England.

 

"We are very excited about the addition of these talented direct marketing industry veterans to our sales team," said Pat O'Brien, Direct Group chief marketing officer. "Adding them strengthens our company in significant areas, and helps position Direct Group for growth and success in both the short and long terms."