2008 telemarketing amendments: What now

Abstract

Telemarketing is defined as communication by telephone between organizations and customers or prospects. In the United States, the telemarketing industry is well established and mature. Productivity gains from technology, internet self-serve options and call center consolidation, as well as state and federal legislative restrictions, have affected US operations. Even with all these changes, telemarketing remains a very important marketing tool. There are 56 900 call centers in the United States, employing over 3 million agents. It is important that the seller and its agents are aware of recent developments in telemarketing law, including administrative agency rules and regulations and agency opinion letters. This article gives a short history of this law and its accompanying rules and regulations, and then identifies the most recent legislative actions of the federal government in order to assist sellers and their telemarketing agents in using this valuable communication tool in its market. © 2009 Palgrave Macmillan.