Owatonna, MN—A study released on Oct. 8 by executive search firm Wheaton/Bernhart shows that 54% of direct marketing companies surveyed Oct. 1 planned to staff up by the end of the year. But 31% of respondents have a hiring freeze in effect. When asked if the Sept. 11 attacks had caused them to change their hiring plans, nearly 80% said it had no effect. Just 14% said they expect to reduce staff before the end of this year.