GTE Drives Up Customer Loyalty with eMarketing Campaigns from MarketFirst.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2000

MarketFirst(TM), the leader in Web-hosted eMarketing solutions, today announced that GTE (NYSE:GTE) has chosen MarketFirst to interact more effectively with new Internet users and create relationships that drive and enhance customer loyalty and retention. GTE.net, the service that provides dial-up access to consumers and small businesses, will use MarketFirst's eMarketing campaigns for outreach programs targeted at all new customers, bringing them useful information early on about their Internet services.

"Using MarketFirst, GTE initiates dialogues early on with new Internet customers and requests specific information from individuals, in a confidential manner, to ensure they receive the best possible service," said Rob Becker consultant of business development/retention at GTE. "As a result of using MarketFirst, GTE customers are provided with leading technology that enables them to interact more effectively with their Internet service provider (ISP), creating relationships that build customer loyalty."

GTE is using MarketFirst's Web-hosted eMarketing solution to send out a welcome survey to all new customers. These welcome e-mails incorporate interactive questions to learn more about a customer's familiarity with the Internet, topics of interest and purchasing capability, allowing GTE to personalize future contact with customers. Weekly follow-up e-mails, powered by MarketFirst, continue to provide users information and recommendations, based on their preferences, which continues to keep the customer engaged and satisfied with their GTE Internet experience. Knowing speed is a key differentiator in the fast moving world of the Internet, GTE was able to get this entire program up and running in less than 30 days.

"With more and more competition in business today, companies need to be very proactive in running customer loyalty and retention marketing programs," said Russ Henry, vice president of marketing at MarketFirst. "Using MarketFirst's interactive campaigns, companies like GTE can more effectively understand their customers preferences and proactively respond to their needs, leading to greater sales and higher life-time value."

About MarketFirst

MarketFirst is the fastest growing provider of Web-based marketing solutions designed to leverage the power and reach of the Internet. With MarketFirst, the reach of the Internet can now be tapped interactively by businesses to increase their marketing velocity and deliver measurable value-add to their corporate marketing campaigns. MarketFirst is delivered as a complete Web-hosted service and can be fully integrated into the corporate information architecture. MarketFirst campaigns are also available via myMarketFirst.com, the industry's first eMarketing destination site. Leading companies such as Clarify Inc., Autodesk Inc., NorthPoint Communications, GTE, Quantum Corporation, Shopnow.com and SalesLogix Corporation are reaching marketing velocity by using MarketFirst to plan, design, execute, and measure electronic marketing campaigns more effectively.

MarketFirst is a privately held company with headquarters in Mountain View, California. More information is available at 888-mkt-first (888/658-3477), or on the World Wide Web at http://www.marketfirst.com.

MarketFirst, MarketFirst Marketing Architect, eMarketing Blueprint, eMarketing Enterprise Solutions, Marketing Velocity, eMarketing for eBusiness, All Marketing is not Equal and eMarketing Hosted Solutions are trademarks of MarketFirst Software, Inc. All other company and product names mentioned are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.