How can Northern Trail Outfitters report the number of Contacts in their account to the CMO weekly?

The most effective way for Northern Trail Outfitters to report the number of Contacts in their account to the Chief Marketing Officer weekly is through configuring the Contact Extract Activity in Automation Studio. This method allows for automated data extraction processes, enabling the marketing team to schedule and customize when and what data to extract regarding Contacts.

By utilizing the Contact Extract Activity, Northern Trail Outfitters can efficiently automate the extraction of up-to-date Contact data at specified intervals like weekly. This not only streamlines the reporting process but also ensures that the information provided is consistent and reflects the most current data available. Additionally, this activity can be integrated into a larger automation workflow, providing greater operational efficiency.

Other methods listed might not provide the necessary automation or may involve more manual steps, which could result in increased labor time or outdated data being reported. For instance, querying the _Subscriber Data View or the _Contact Data View may require additional handling to compile and format the data into a report format suitable for the CMO's needs. Alternatively, scheduling a standard report could limit customization, and the standard report may not capture all relevant details in a way that suits the CMO’s specific requirements.

Thus, configuring the Contact Extract Activity in Automation Studio stands out as the best approach for seamless and