he Canadian government has introduced legislation similar to the American "Do Not Call" telemarketing rules. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission allows people to register both their home and cell phone numbers to avoid unwanted telemarketing calls. This has prompted some companies to develop methods to get around the restrictions.

One Toronto-based digital marketing company called N5R, which has US clients such as Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, creates permission-based personal web sites for consumers that starts with the mailing of a postcard. The postcard tells the consumer a web site has been created in her name and encourages her to check it out online. Once at the site, consumers are asked for permission so that the marketer can continue a dialogue with them.... more