The fact is, our clients' offerings could assemble a pretty impressive gift catalogue. And their use of email in 2006 was the gift that kept on delivering.

Take Sirius Satellite Radio and its "110 channels of whatever you're into". The radios make good gifts in themselves and the monthly subscription makes them the gift that keeps on giving. Sirius has made excellent use of email marketing in 2006. Although arriving later to the party than its rival XM, it quickly sped past them in total Canadian subscribers and is hot on their heels in the U.S. Email has played a major role.

BlackBerries have made irresistible gifts since they debuted in the late '90s, and Research In Motion (RIM) just keeps pushing the envelope. The hot item this Xmas is the Pearl, RIM's answer to more consumer-oriented offerings from Palm and Nokia that offer integrated digital cameras and media players. RIM makes very strategic use of email, putting great emphasis on backend data systems and campaign management. As with everything they do, RIM is a perfectionist determined to get it right.

Movie tickets for Xmas? Our client Scotiabank just announced a customer loyalty joint venture with Cineplex Entertainment, going as far as to hang the Scotiabank name on five flagship Cineplex cinemas starting next year. The naming rights deal is tied to a joint loyalty card program that will extend to all 132 Cineplex theatres and enable Scotiabank customers and moviegoers to earn points for rewards, such as free movies and popcorn. Email will be part of the relational program.

We regret that we haven’t got the room to review every client’s Xmas possibilities, because they are certainly legion. But what we can say is that all made intelligent and innovative use of email in 2006, serving their unique communities in their own way.

We wish everyone happiness and continued success in 2007!