The difference between email being identified as an art or a science is truly an individual decision based on the impact that the elements of the design mean when they are processed by the viewer.

Using "power copy" is the key to an effective digital communication. If your readers don't relate your words with your brand you don't stand a chance.

Many companies I've worked with find it much too easy to be less selective in their list pulls because it's so cheap. A longer-term approach to this could increase relevance and improve results fairly significantly.