The PR Consultants Association has short-listed [ Link to Hell Mail article removed as the website no longer exists – JB ] the Direct Marketing Association for an award in 'crisis and issues management'. The crisis the junk mail lobby group had to deal with was, apparently, Panaroma's Why Hate Junk Mail? broadcast in July.

Not exactly a crisis, if you ask me. I suspect the Direct Marketing Association had anticipated a public outcry, but the programme was mostly about scam mail and gave the junk mail industry more than a fair hearing.

Of course I did keep an eye on the Direct Marketing Association's 'crisis management' before and after the broadcast. Again, nothing too special. They were quick to encourage members of the association to tweet about how unfair the programme was and produced a myth sheet to explain why unsolicited mail is good for the environment.

Anyway, if you fancy a night out, for £195 + VAT you can attend the fun packed and dazzling award ceremony on 15th November.