Founded in 1948, today the DDV, Deutscher Dialogmarketing Verband (German Direct Marketing Association), is the largest national affiliation of companies in the direct marketing industry in Europe, and one of the foremost associations in the marketing and communication sector in Germany. The goal of the DDV is to further increase and communicate the attractiveness and acceptance of the direct marketing sector. The 800 members of the DDV promote quality assurance, and advance the promotion of young talent as well as the freedom of communication and dialog with the consumers.

The members represent the entire supply chain of direct marketing. They include direct marketing- and online agencies, address and information service providers, call center, direct mail companies, as well as companies and multinational corporations from all different kinds of industry sectors, such as the media, insurance companies, automotive, trade, and IT.

The DDV includes the various key players in their markets as well as medium-size and small companies, which have made a name for themselves in their sector through specialized product offers and services. As the DDV represents the concerns of both the service providers and those who apply direct marketing, it gives voice to the entire industry.