Marketers are spending freely on technology this year, judging by the Martech Replacement Survey from Martech.   Of companies polled, 21% have replaced their email distribution platform -- down from 24% in 2021.  But while email remains the most effective channel, it came in fourth in terms of platform replacement -- behind marketing automation, CRM and SEO tools, at 23% apiece.  Only 17% of midsize companies replaced their email platform. SEO topped the list, at 23%.  How did they pursue these replacements? The respondents say they:

• Replaced homegrown with a commercial platform — 26% 
• Replaced homegrown with another homegrown …

Although email marketers lack confidence, they have ambitious plans, including mobile-friendly design and personalization, Ascend2 reports.

Direct mail is especially popular with consumers ages 55+, a study by Lob finds, conducted in partnership with Comperemedia.

Email is a key channel, and a strategy for dealing with third-party cookie loss, Ascend2 and Wpromote report.

The top phishing subject lines globally look as if they were sent by HR departments, KnowBe4 reports.

Amazon drove $12 billion in global sales during Prime Days this year, and email played a part, SparkPost reports.

Consumers have many complaints about using social media and trust brands more with their data. Few like to shop via social networks, SimplicityDX reports.

Firms are also plagued by lack of real-time analytics, Moengage reports.

At-risk customers click and convert at high levels in several verticals, Bluecore reports.

Predictably, most consumers will want cost savings. But it depends on their age and geographic location, Aki Technologies and TapResearch report.