Have your say on the latest issues affecting our industry and the world of business. DMI columnist and ‘Master Debater’ Ian Hughes welcomes your comments on this, his latest rant. Today’s topic: a global gulf.

Do you know what . . . there is some astonishingly good stuff going on out there!

Of course, it’s unlikely that you’re going to hear about it, because we sit in the myopia of our offices, in our countries, and stroke our chins thinking how clever we are.

A few years ago, Geico insurance in the USA came up with the gecko to do their advertising, a cheeky little chappy with a British accent who has helped them raise their insurance brand. In the UK last year, we were introduced to Aleksandr Orlov, a meerkat who sells car insurance! He wins awards and, more importantly, he drives traffic to a website.

On a global scale, it seems to me that great ideas have no boundaries – they might have customers bound by their own national borders, but that shouldn’t hinder us.

But where is the platform for sharing this stuff? Your national DMA? I don’t believe so. We need a global platform; an independent place where good ideas and good people can come together and share – one which celebrates purely international direct marketing excellence.

This is something that can traverse national boundaries, indeed MUST traverse international boundaries.

I propose a new award or a new conference or a new something-or-other, where the very best DM (and I mean Direct Marketing, not Direct Mail only) is showcased. I want to see three new and innovative ideas from around the world that will make me say: "Hmmm . . . how fascinating."

What do you think? Talk Back to me in the comments box below.

Ian Hughes is managing director, Consumer Intelligence. Email: ianh@consumerintel.com   Twitter: ianchughes  Facebook: ianchughes   And on LinkedIn.