In this engaging 30-minute masterclass, John Thompson of TrueSense Marketing will dive deep into the strengths, weaknesses, and unique impacts this time-honored channel has as it is practiced in the dynamic new omni-channel fundraising ecosystem of today...and tomorrow.

What You'll Learn:

How Direct Mail can influence online giving.
How (and why) machine-learning and AI-powered modeling can better predict donor and prospective donor behaviors.
How taking 3 simple steps can improve their direct mail’s acquisition value.

Speaker Bio:

John started his direct marketing career with The Richard A. Viguerie Company in 1978 as an art director, and he was lucky to learn the fundraising business directly from one of the masters. In 1982, John left to open Direct Design, a creative studio specializing in direct marketing with a focus on fundraising, publishing, and association marketing. He re-entered the agency world in 1999, and over the next 20+ years, he has worked at several agencies as a Creative Director and VP of Creative, including Merkle, Moore, and Russ Reid. Since 2017, he has been privileged to lead teams at TrueSense Marketing as Chief Creative Officer and Chief Marketing Officer.

John was inducted into the DMAW Hall of Leaders in 2024 and is the co-chair of the 2025 Bridge Conference. He and his wife reside in Potomac, Maryland.

Our Speakers

John Thompson

Chief Marketing Officer at TrueSense Marketing