The more messages you send to invalid, closed or non-existent email addresses, the higher your bounce rate will be. When the bounce rate crosses a threshold of about 5%. ISPs may start preventing your emails from making it to your contacts' inboxes. Keep your bounce rate as low as possible so that your future campaigns don't suffer from poor deliverability.

According to a survey conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, office workers spend 2.6 hours per day reading and answering emails. This equates to 33% of a 40-hour workweek. What's worse is that smartphones, laptops, and other mobile devices have many checking their email constantly: while commuting, at the doctor's office, at mealtimes, and every other situation imaginable.

According to Return Path, the average large company (one having 10,000 or more employees) spends, on average, $3.7 million a year to recover from phishing attacks. Perhaps just as damaging, their email subscribers are less likely to trust a brand through which they have experienced a phishing attack and mailbox providers are more likely to flag a brand's legitimate email as spam.

The DMA will continue to play an active role in FEDMA, ensuring that the voice of the UK marketing industry is heard in Brussels on important issues such as the current consultation on the e-Privacy legislation and moves to create a single digital market. Throughout this period of uncertainty, the DMA will take a pro-active role in both Brussels and Westminster.

The ICO's role has always involved working closely with regulators in other countries, and that will continue to be the case. Having clear laws with safeguards in place is more important than ever, given the growing digital economy, and we will be speaking to government to present our view that reform of the UK law remains necessary.

After going down on Friday, the ASOS Web site and app were back up again on Saturday with an apologetic bearing the subject line 'Sorry, can we make it up to you?' The body message contained a 10% discount for one day that was offered to all shoppers. It was a simple thing to do, but the right thing to do and the copywriting within helps to keep things light.

Email marketing continues to top the charts for return on investment (ROI) -- ahead of SEO -- according to the tenth Email Marketing Industry Census report, produced in association with Adestra. It showed that almost three-quarters (73%) of those surveyed said that email marketing offered excellent to good ROI. This is up from 66% last year.

The Entertainer, the UK's largest high street toy retailer, chose a new email and personalisation platform for its ecommerce business. With an increased ability to test and learn, the retailer has increased email revenue by 300% since the change. There has not been big growth of the database -- the team has simply sent "better messages to the same people and got a better result."

Yahoo is rolling out an update for its Mail app that enhances the personalisation features of the app, while also adding new productivity capabilities. The new Stationery feature allows you to send emails with professionally drawn themes.

Radley & Co and Oliver Sweeney are using personalisation methods to engage with customers, from segmented email marketing campaigns to tattooing designs onto leather shoes. Both retailers are also personalising their eCommerce Web sites and email marketing campaigns.