VALASSIS SELECTS BIGFOOT INTERACTIVE AS STRATEGIC EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER
High-Performance Email Communications Technology Will Power Integrated Marketing Programs For Valassis, VRMS and PreVision Marketing Clients
NEW YORK – January 27, 2003 –
Bigfoot Interactive, the leading provider of strategic, ROI-focused email communication solutions and marketing automation technologies, today announced that it has been selected as the strategic email communications provider for Valassis (NYSE: VCI), the leading company in marketing services for the retail, technology and consumer packaged goods industries. This business relationship provides Valassis and its affiliates, Valassis Relationship Marketing Systems (VRMS) and PreVision Marketing, with access to Bigfoot Interactive's advanced email technology platform and complementary professional services for the development and execution of highly targeted multi-channel customer marketing initiatives.
Through the agreement, Valassis and its affiliates join Bigfoot Interactive's Partner Program and will resell the Bigfoot Interactive DREAMSM email communications technology platform, industry-specific marketing automation tool kits and professional services.
"As media consumption patterns and user behavior continues to evolve, email's role in the marketing mix has grown in importance and now represents an essential component of an integrated marketing strategy," said Joe Lampertius, Director of Product Management and New Products for Valassis. "The integration of Bigfoot Interactive's proven email technology, marketing automation tools and professional services enables us to launch highly targeted and complementary marketing programs on behalf of our diverse and sophisticated client base."
By employing Bigfoot Interactive's DREAMSM platform, industry-specific marketing automation tool kits and professional services, Valassis and its affiliates can extend their clients' retention and loyalty initiatives by delivering turnkey online and offline marketing programs including discounts, coupons and alerts that are personalized, relevant and timely. PreVision Marketing's advanced CRM and email composer tools have been integrated with Bigfoot Interactive's extensive deployment capabilities, and over 200 email campaigns have already been successfully completed. PreVision also provides analytic services to Bigfoot Interactive clients as part of their alliance.
"Valassis, VRMS and PreVision Marketing have long served as leading drivers of revenue for retail and consumer packaged goods companies thanks to tremendous proficiency in offline direct marketing communications and data-driven intelligence," said Al DiGuido, CEO of Bigfoot Interactive. "The addition of email into this powerful arsenal of marketing tools will enable the Valassis companies to extend the success of existing programs through integration and best of breed technology, services and expertise. We believe this business relationship will serve as a model for others to emulate as Valassis clients begin to leverage the efficiency and effectiveness of adding email to the marketing mix in a strategic and integrated fashion."
About Bigfoot Interactive
Bigfoot Interactive (www.bigfootinteractive.com) is the leading provider of strategic, ROI-focused email communications solutions and marketing automation technologies. Through its combination of innovative technologies, professional services and vertical market expertise, Bigfoot Interactive helps marketers acquire, grow and retain profitable customer relationships through highly relevant and personalized email communications. The company's end-to-end suite of industry-specific products and services includes scalable email campaign technology, delivery optimization, marketing automation tools, turnkey integration solutions, strategic consulting, and creative expertise to produce email programs that generate measurable results throughout the customer lifecycle.
Since 1997, Bigfoot Interactive has developed successful permission-based email programs for more than 150 top companies, including Expedia, American Honda Motor Co. and The Washington Post/Newsweek Interactive. Privately held and based in New York, the company's investors include JPMorgan Partners, Flatiron Partners, Hudson Ventures, Mitsui & Co., Grey Ventures, HPJ Media Ventures and Syndicat Technologies.
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