Is direct mail dead, or still alive and kicking?

I've read opposite opinions about this in recent times....

On the one hand, I've read that direct mail is dying or dead. I think I read Bill Myers state this on his membership web site. He's a very experienced direct marketer, both online and offline, so if he says it, I listen.

But on the other hand, I just read the opposite opinion, in Gary Halbert's most recent newsletter, which he put online on his web site.

http://www.thegaryhalbertletter.com/remote_docs/newissue.html

The part I'm talking about is near the end.

Here's what he says....

Know what I think? I think, in this "Age-of-Anthrax"...

Direct Mail Is Still The "Jackpot" Way To Produce Fungolas!

For one thing, as far as competition goes, it has thinned out the weak (cowardly) members of the herd.

Gary Halbert is a legendary direct mail marketer. He's the creator of the historic "Nancy" letter which Gordon wrote about recently right here. The direct mail letter which made big money being sent to a PHONE BOOK list!

http://www.sowpub.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl?read=6751

So what do you think?

Has the internet, combined with the fear of anthrax, killed off direct mail as a promotional medium?

Or has the lower competition in fact made it a better medium than ever?

- Dien Rice