List broker

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A list broker acts as an intermediary for customers looking to market themselves to a group of people. A customer address is accompanied with a name and often aggregate transaction information. Most promotional mailings such as catalogs, coupons, promotional offers and credit offers utilize lists purchased through list brokers.

List brokers are consultants that specialize in the sourcing of lists, or the creation of new lists. They can have ready-made lists, or can be briefed to produce new lists – meaning a few weeks "lead time" before a direct mail-out campaign can be started. List brokers are the members of different country's Direct Marketing Association.

More often than not, list brokers act as a "go-between" - matching list owners to those who wish to buy or rent the list, with the cost for doing so acting as a commission to the broker and paid by the group wanting to use the list. Many can also supply information, price quotes and other advice on purchasing access to a list. They may request details about an organization to keep an eye on how the list is being used.