The Email Insider Summit kicked off with not one but two strong keynote addresses addressing the role of e-mail in a Web 2.0 World. By Web 2.0, we mean the convergence (man, remember that term?) of technologies such as e-mail, RSS, SMS, search, podcasting, social networking, user-generated content and a plethora of other media that marketers are trying to wrap their heads around. In that context, as Cisco's Brian Ellefritz put it, e-mail seems so 10 years ago--especially when discussing it with upper management.

"Dear E-mail Diva: We have several different segments of customers that we e-mail on a regular basis, and I have run into problems of hitting them multiple times with different offers. I want to take some of the confusion out of an already too-confusing database."

As I was getting ready to bask in the bright snow of lovely Park City, Utah at the E-mail Insider Summit, I thought, why not write about one of the most important issues e-mail marketers face today: how to recruit, retain and grow our talent pool in the resource-depleted world of advertising.

What if you are new to email marketing and do not even have an email campaign, let alone data? What if you do not even understand all the industry lingo and are starting from the very beginning? Welcome to my world.

A report out this week claims that there has been a significant rise in spam since June. The report, released by anti-spam solution provider Postini, claims that currently nine out of 10 e-mails are spam. And I have to admit that the number of pump and dump stock scam e-mails I've received lately has dramatically increased....

An interview with Beck in Wired about the future of the album captured my attention and won't let go. The article describes how fans could have heard the album "Guero" as an unfinished mix leaked online, the official release, the deluxe CD/DVD with bonus features and interactive components, or as "Guerolito," a companion piece with remixes by other artists.

Let's face it, Internet Service Providerss are an e-mail marketer's best friend. Like a boss who tells you the cold facts about what you need to do in order to improve your performance, or like a good friend getting you to face up to the tough truth, ISPs can be counted on to tell you what you need to hear.

Last week we took a look at Thanksgiving e-mails. Of course this means that Christmas is just around the corner. So this week we'll discuss the e-mail campaigns from last year's Christmas season, and also take a look at who is getting a quick jump out the door for this season.

E-mail Diva explains why a specialty retailer who seems to be asking too many preference questions is actually doing something right.

Debunking e-mail myths and legends.