Digital Impact Launches Agency Partners Program; Interactive Marketing Agencies Gain Access to Leading One-To-One Email Marketing Service.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Digital Impact (http://www.digital.impact.com) today announced its Agency Partner Program for interactive marketing agencies who want to offer their clients the most advanced one-to-one email marketing campaigns available.

By partnering with Digital Impact, interactive agencies can combine their innovative messaging and design capabilities with Digital Impact's Merchant Mail(TM) service for intelligent one-to-one email campaigns to deliver results for their clients.

Clear Ink, the first to join Digital Impact's Agency Partners program, is a corporate "E-vertising" agency which combines expertise in corporate and consumer marketing, multi-media graphic design and Internet, extranet and intranet technology.

"Clear Ink has gained a reputation for sophisticated digital branding counsel, enhanced by cutting-edge technological expertise. We believe Digital Impact's Merchant Mail takes our client services to the next level, maximizing our ability to advance our client's online marketing programs," said David M. Burk, president and CEO of Clear Ink. "Its unique campaign execution, delivery and reporting capabilities are an unbeatable combination."

A Formula For Success

Since the launch of Merchant Mail in June 1998, Digital Impact has seen momentum build for intelligent, one-to-one email marketing with adoption by more than 12 major clients in just three months. Digital Impact clients which include The Sharper Image, Tower Records, The Gap and others have reported a doubling of online sales, triple-digit return on investment, and dramatically increased customer loyalty.

The Merchant Mail service is unique because each email message is personalized based on the recipient's profile and purchase history, formatted to the highest level of graphics and interaction supported by the recipient's email software, and tracked in every detail through the final sales transaction.

"Because our clients look to us for online strategies that generate quick and ongoing return on their investment, we need access to the most effective services available," said Ted Ganchiff, vice president, Interactive Services for ElliottDickens Advertising.

"By partnering with Digital Impact, we can rely on Merchant Mail to translate our business and marketing objectives into online marketing campaigns that deliver results."

Agency Partner Program Elements

Interactive agencies that participate in the program receive a full range of training and support from Digital Impact. Topics include best practices in email marketing, technical aspects of successful campaign management, and competitive information and positioning for agency account executives.

Digital Impact has adopted the standard agency media buy as its business model. There are no fees associated with the program. "Our goal for the program is to be agency-friendly while providing our partners with the resources to succeed," said Ray Kaupp, vice president of marketing for Digital Impact.

Each agency partner will be assigned a Digital Impact Client Services Consultant to provide priority support for agency projects. Digital Impact will provide as-needed participation by Digital Impact representatives in agency presentations to their clients.

Additionally, Digital Impact will feature agency partners on their web site, and will promote partners in print materials and at trade shows and events throughout the year.

Agencies interested in discussing the program should contact Ray Kaupp, vice president of marketing for Digital Impact, at 650/286-7300 or [e-mail].

About Digital Impact Inc.

Based in San Mateo, Calif. and founded in 1997, Digital lmpact is the first company to offer "intelligent, one-to-one e-mail." The company's Merchant Mail service has been adopted by a growing number of leading retailers including 1-800-Batteries, Avon, BMG Music Service, Macys.com, Omaha Steaks Inc., Preview Travel, Quarterdeck Software, The Gap, The Sharper Image, Tower Records, Virtual Vineyards, WorldRes Inc. and others. Digital Impact is focused on helping companies to proactively reach existing and potential customers through customized electronic marketing campaigns.