in_the_media

Personalized junk email repels potential customers

Media Outlet: 

Daily Mail (U.K.)

Junk emails that greet people by name are far more likely to repel potential customers than endear them, according to a study led by Sunil Wattal of Temple's Fox School of Business. Ninety-five percent of people respond negatively when an advertisement sent by email uses their name. The fear of privacy invasion heavily outweighs the intended personal touch, says Wattal. "Given the high level of cyber security concerns about phishing, identity theft, and credit card fraud, many consumers (are) wary of e-mails."