Business Publications'
Attorneys After Premature Termination
Business Editors
MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2001--At a deposition in
Little Rock on May 8th, Acxiom President Charles Morgan prematurely
terminated the deposition saying he was "going to have to go" and that
he had "a lot of stuff to do" during midst of questioning by
Progressive Business Publications' attorneys concerning Acxiom's
compliance with the guidelines of the Direct Marketing Association.
A few days later after the matter was brought to the attention of
the court, Acxiom's attorney offered to resume the deposition and pay
for attorney costs and travel. It is now scheduled to resume on
September 5th, 2001.
Previously Acxiom falsely stated that Mr. Morgan was out of the
Country for several months in an attempt to justify its refusal to
produce Mr. Morgan for a deposition. At the May 8th deposition, Mr.
Morgan acknowledged on the record that this was inaccurate.
After month's of refusing to make himself available to answer
questions, the Federal District Court Eastern District required
Charles Morgan to make himself available to Progressive Business
Publications to directly answer question under oath. Acxiom Direct
Media has been accused of a pattern of dishonesty including taking
PBP's lists from an approved data base and putting them in a private
data base without Progressive Business Publications consent, reneging
on agreements for reciprocity, and making appendages to lists even
though such appendages were expressly forbidden in writing.
The case involves matters of business privacy, integrity of
contracts and unfair business practices while renting the valuable
asset of a company's private customer list.
PBP believes that Acxiom's service is largely based on trust and
that such trust has been continually violated. After Mr. Morgan's
deposition, discovery will have largely been completed. A trial is
expected in during the fall. Damage claims in the case are
approximately $4.4 million. In addition, Acxiom could be subject to
punitive damages and attorney fees.
Progressive Business Publications (PBP) is a private company
founded in 1989 with the launch of a single publication for the
business community. It has since grown to twenty eight subscription
publications, ten product guides and a seminar division.
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CONTACT: Progressive Business Publications
Ed Satell, 610/695-8600 ext. 206 |
