May Also Expand Into Infomercial Market

ANN April 1 Special Edition

AOPA on April 1 announced plans to abandon its aviation advocacy efforts and refocus its core business in an area in which it has recently gained a lot of experience ... direct mail marketing.

New CEO Mark Baker (pictured) said it was time for the association to focus on what it seems to do best; sending mail. "The number of mail pieces we send out of here is extraordinary," Baker said. "And with declining membership, we thought it better to get ahead of the curve and do what we can to make this non-profit profitable. My business experience tells me that a company that is not agile is doomed to fail, and we want AOPA to be an agile company."

The association is to be re-named Aviation Organization's Persistence Amalgamated.

Baker said that AOPA would maintain its aviation focus by handling direct mail for other associations, such as EAA, NBAA, AEA, and others. "We know the market and can beat the price of the companies who are currently handling direct mail for them," Baker said.

Baker also said that, after making a significant investment in video equipment for "AOPA Live", the company was also considering moving into the informercial production market. "I can see us doing them for such things as LSAs and other small aviation companies that might want our expertise in creating something appealing for potential buyers," he said. 

A source not authorized to speak to the media told ANN that Baker had been overheard in his office with the door closed practicing such phrases as "But Wait! There's More!", "Now how much would you pay?", and "But I'm Still Not Done!"

FMI: www.aopa.org