DUBLIN Institute of Technology this week launched the institute's first ever Diploma in Direct Marketing. The course is a joint industry/academic response to the growth of direct marketing which last year accounted for expenditure of £108 million by Irish-based companies. The 25 students on the course, which is running at DIT Mountjoy Square, are drawn from a variety of firms including Bank of Ireland, EBS, Touchline Insurance, Telecom Eireann and other users of direct marketing techniques. The programme aims to equip its graduates with direct marketing skills and expertise in the use of direct marketing technology.