​Rick Rappe is the President and Owner of RPM Direct Marketing, a Seattle-based agency specializing in direct mail marketing services, including lead generation, acquisition, loyalty, and win-back programs. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Rick has developed and managed some of the largest and most successful direct-marketing-driven sales channels in the country. Under his leadership, RPM focuses on delivering performance-driven direct mail programs tailored to clients' specific goals.

Direct mail has been around for decades, yet many marketers question its relevance in today’s digital-first world. With online advertising costs rising and consumer attention increasingly fragmented, businesses are searching for ways to cut through the noise. Could direct mail be the hidden gem that marketers are overlooking?

According to Rick Rappe, a seasoned direct marketing expert, direct mail remains one of the most effective and trustworthy marketing channels. He highlights that while digital platforms are oversaturated and plagued by low engagement rates, direct mail reaches consumers in a tangible, less cluttered space — right in their homes. Unlike emails or online ads that can be easily ignored, direct mail allows brands to command attention and create a lasting impression. With strategic targeting, rigorous testing, and compelling creative execution, businesses can turn direct mail into a high-performing, cost-efficient sales channel.

In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, Rick Rappe, President and Owner of RPM Direct Marketing, is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to discuss why direct mail continues to thrive in a digital landscape. He explains how direct mail offers a level of trust and engagement that digital channels often lack, the role of data in optimizing campaigns, and why businesses are reinvesting in this strategy.