Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating call centers that initiate or receive communications via telephone, facsimile, email, or other communication modes for purposes such as: (1) promoting products or services, (2) taking orders, (3) soliciting contributions, and (4) providing information or assistance regarding products or services. Telemarketing bureaus and other contact centers provide these services on behalf of clients and do not own the products or provide the services that they are representing, or they serve other establishments of the same enterprise.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Answering telephone calls and relaying messages--are classified in U.S. Industry 561421, Telephone Answering Services;
Wholesale or retail sales--are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade;
Providing automated data processing services and computing infrastructure for call centers--are classified in Industry 518210, Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services;
Providing restaurant meal and grocery order and delivery services (i.e., independent order and delivery services)--are classified in Industry 492210, Local Messengers and Local Delivery;
Organizing and conducting charitable fundraising campaigns on a contract or fee basis, that may include telephone solicitation services--are classified in U.S. Industry 561499, All Other Business Support Services; and
Gathering, recording, tabulating, and presenting marketing and public opinion data, that may include telephone canvassing services--are classified in Industry 541910, Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling.