Definition in the ICO’s dictionary (or, at least, in his good practice note on electronic mail marketing) is **Direct marketing … includes messages trying to sell goods or services, as well as those promoting the values or beliefs of a particular organisation**
We fell foul of an ICO decision a few years back when they decided, following a complaint, that emailing our students about opportunities for students at this University constituted marketing. So everyone who is interested in staff development will already have (hopefully) opted in to our opt in email list on staff development issues. We’ve never yet (says she, touching wood) had a complaint from staff, but we’re trying to avoid that happening by looking hard at how we communicate to staff in the same way we scrutinise the ways we communicate with students. So that’s why I’m cautious. I’m happy to be talked out of my caution (staff development are nice people and at least three of the courses they want to promote are mine!) but having been burnt once the “no one ever get burnt” argument doesn’t quite wash!!
Sara