Association for Interactive Media Acquires Merch.Net

The Washington, DC-based Association for Interactive Media (AIM), a subsidiary of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), is acquiring Merch.Net, a consortium of the “best-of- breed” e-commerce solutions providers.

Merch.Net’s executive committee, which consists of LinkShare Corp., Impulse! Buy Network, Inktomi, Binary Compass Enterprises and Netcentives, will become the e-commerce leadership committee of AIM.

AIM, now combined with The DMA and Merch.Net, claims to be the largest trade association in the world for companies doing business on the Internet. Merch.Net will operate as a premium membership committee within AIM, educating retailers and online merchants about the best practices in Internet commerce by sponsoring research and e-commerce forums nationwide.

“With Merch.Net on board, AIM has significantly augmented its ability to help members succeed in building their businesses on the Web,” said AIM President Andy Sernovitz. “Similar to mergers in the Internet industry, it is clear that the consolidation of Internet associations has begun. There is strength in numbers and power in consolidation. Together, The DMA, AIM, and Merch.Net will bring effective e-commerce to mainstream businesses.”

“Traditional direct marketers must learn about available online merchandising tools. Merch.Net’s mission is to assist both offline and online marketers and retailers in launching a successful online business,” said Mark H. Goldstein, Merch.Net executive committee member.

Part of the acquisition agreement stipulates that Merch.Net members automatically become members of AIM.

The DMA and AIM will host a dinner to honor Merch.Net board members on Monday, Nov. 16 in San Francisco, at the DMA’s Councils West Forum. AIM was acquired by The DMA on Oct. 12, 1998.