nline advertisers today have a range of options at their disposal � video ads, microsites, viral campaigns, blogs and social networks. However, there is an ad platform which is one of the oldest and still surviving, and that is email. According to online research firm JuxtConsult�s India Online 2008 report, 91 per cent of online Indians send and receive emails.

With so many engaging platforms, do marketers still consider email marketing relevant? �Visiting the email inbox at least once a week is a compulsive habit of internet users. Hence, email marketing is still a sure shot direct marketing tool for conveying new promotions or generating interest,� says a Rediff.com spokesperson. Rediff�s email service has more than 65 million registered users and it sends out emailers based on their interests. The site also earns ad revenue from display advertising and sponsorships. ... more