BIGFOOT INTERACTIVE LAUNCHES NEW AUTOMATION MODULES FOR THE DREAMSM EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM
- New Modules for Inbound Handling and Web Publishing Offer Marketers an Unprecedented Level of Customization -
NEW YORK – October 21, 2003 – Bigfoot Interactive, the leading provider of strategic, ROI-focused email communications solutions and marketing automation technologies, today announced the release and general availability of two new modules further expanding its email technology platform, DREAMSM -- Direct Response Email Application Manager. The Inbound Reply Handler module effectively automates and triggers reply messages based on key words, while the Integrated Web Publications module provides the ability to dynamically create and publish preference pages and surveys. Built directly into the DREAM technology platform interface, the inbound and Web publications modules offer marketers an unprecedented level of customization and control in the development and execution of permission-based email related programs.
"The rapid growth of email and e-commerce has created an immediate need and opportunity for permission-based marketers to further refine the relevance, sophistication and timeliness of both outbound and inbound email communication efforts" said Al DiGuido, CEO of Bigfoot Interactive. "Tools such as our integrated inbound and Web publishing modules offer marketers a flexible, customized solution to this growing need through one cohesive and cost effective platform."
Driven by marketers' demands for an email component that easily integrates with existing CRM infrastructure, the platform supports a holistic view of email communications with the unique benefit of being built as separate modules to make the integration process customizable, yet easy and seamless. The new modules bring significant advancements in campaign and customer relationship management to the DREAM platform, setting the stage for the next level of interactive dialogs.
Supported by Bigfoot Interactive's proven world-class infrastructure, the enhanced DREAM platform combines an intuitive interface with a sophisticated set of features and functionality to help clients increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. Centered around ease-of-use, advanced segmentation, personalization and automation, the enhanced DREAM platform features easy integration of the following modules:
- Inbound Reply Handler- Keyword handling is customized against the from, to, subject, body or all components of an incoming email, and clients can customize responses based on rules they directly establish within the interface and that are specific to their respective email communication program. The advanced inbound reply handler can also trigger product brochures and targeted communications for specific products and services through the recognition of client customized key words.
- Web Publications - The integrated Web publications module facilitates the development and creation of preference pages, registration pages and surveys through an intuitive interface for easy click to Web publishing.
According to a Jupiter Research study, CRM Model, 12/02 (US only), spending on inbound email automation and management applications will increase from $600 million in 2002 to $1.0 billion in 2008, ultimately accounting for 21 percent of online CRM spending. Likewise, inbound email automation deployments will increase to meet the rising tide of inbound e-mail inquiries, which will total 3.3 billion in 2008.
"As permission-based outbound email messaging grows exponentially marketers will need to develop more sophisticated capabilities to manage customer inquires and interactions through replies," said Ragy Thomas, chief technology officer of Bigfoot Interactive. "In addition, the emergence and adoption of new user controlled mechanisms, such as challenge response features on the leading ISPs like Earthlink and AOL, will require marketers to act quickly in addressing their permission-based email communications in an efficient and cost effective way."
DREAM is available in a range of offerings to fit the unique and evolving technical, marketing and budgetary needs of Fortune 2000 companies, including a full-service broadcast solution, ASP, collaborative ASP or an enterprise-level integrated solution. As an integrated solution, marketers can implement DREAM's unique suite of industry-focused marketing automation tool kits and modules to implement advanced email communications such as time-triggered messaging, product alerts, e-billing, renewal and shipping notices, payment confirmations and more.
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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