Sep 8, 2009
I SUCCESSFULLY STOPPED THE CALLER!!
Media Marketing Group is a vendor that contracts with various magazine publishers to renew subscriptions to their magazines. I don't know if they solicit new subscriptions.
I'm a small business owner who subscribes to a particular magazine--it doesn't matter which, as I'll explain in a minute. After I had received several calls from this #, with no response after I answered, or no message left on my voice mail, one caller, who had a non-North American accent and who sounded like he was reading a script, identified himself with this particular magazine, asking me if I wanted to renew.
I told him I knew that they (whoever he really worked for) had to only be associated with the magazine, not the publisher or marketing arm itself (I had dealt with the magazine personally, previously), and explained the annoying phone calls. The caller seemed unable to respond for a second, and then repeated the script he was reading.
I then asked him what was the name was of HIS company, not the magazine, and could I speak to a manager? He responded with the name "Media Marketing Group," asked me to hold for a minute, and then he hung up.
I then emailed the magazine's umbrella company, NewBay Media, which publishes several magazines in various professional fields, such as Broadcast/Video, Professional Audio, Music Industry, Systems Integration, and K-12 Education (see www.nbmedia.com), explained the annoying phone calls, and asked if they were associated with this "Media Marketing Group."
I also asked them, if they were associated, to consider discontinuing their association because of these annoying (if not illegal) business practices (the caller asked me if I wanted to cancel the subscription--potentially damaging to a magazine). And if they weren't, to take measures to stop them because it was beyond my ability.
A NewBay Media Vice President over publishing (for the magazine to which I subscribe), emailed me back. Here is the email:
"Hi Mr. XXXXX -
"Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and your earlier phone call as well.
"This company is indeed a vendor of ours authorized to re-qualify your subscription to the magazine. We have removed your name from the list and you should not hear from them any further. We will also be evaluating their practices. Thanks again.
"Sincerely,
"XXXXXX
"XXXXXX XXXXXX
"VP/Group Publisher
"Broadcast Video Group
"NewBay Media
"(o) XXX-XXX-XXXX
"(c) XXX-XXX-XXXX
"xxxxxx@nbmedia.com"
I have not received any calls, since!!!
YOUR SITUATION MAY BE DIFFERENT!!! I am certain that Media Marketing Group contracts with MANY different publishers. If any of YOU READERS are receiving calls from them, you may be doing or may have done business in the past (subscribed) with a magazine that uses them as a vendor. Please do not contact this publisher unless you KNOW they have a direct relationship with you!
I would suggest you find the parent companies of any magazine (probably a professional one) to which you have ever subscribed in you life, or to which someone with whom you closely associate has ever subscribed in their life, and ask that company's publishing arm if they use Media Marketing Group, and then ask them to quit using them.
Let's get these guys!!!
Good luck!
Iffenschnebbel