FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media/Analyst Contacts:

Laura Senturia                                                                        Courtney Harold         

Lexington PR Group                                                               SoundBite Communications  

781-676-7700 ext. 104                                                            781-273-3360 ext. 128

Laura@LexPR.com                                                                charold@soundbite.com

 

                                                                                                                                                 

EVENT MANAGERS SEE CLEAR BOOST IN ATTENDANCE

FROM NEW SOUNDBITE EVENT MARKETING TOOL

 

Interactive Voice Messaging Proves Timely Solution for Event Planners

Facing Lower Attendance Numbers Due to Softening Economy

 

 

BURLINGTON, Mass – August 28, 2001 – SoundBite Communications, providing an innovative approach to customer communications, today announced a breakthrough application for SoundBite’s phone-based interactive messaging technology in the event management industry.  Industry-leading event and conference organizers are using SoundBite to combat the effects of the economic downturn by boosting event awareness and attendance, with measurable, positive results.  In its first several implementations, SoundBite enabled conference organizers to show impressive increases in attendance and a more streamlined registration process. 

 

“This is a challenging time for companies that hold conferences,” said John Kelsey, CEO of The Kelsey Group, an Information Technology research and consulting firm that holds events in the areas of advertising, voice and wireless technology and electronic commerce.  “We were looking for a new way to enhance our marketing mix to increase attendance, and SoundBite reinforced our message and generated new business.”

 

“The events industry has been looking for solutions to help them weather the tough times, and that’s what SoundBite provides,” said John McDonough, founder and CEO of SoundBite Communications.  “If you’ve been to a trade show or conference recently, you know that floor traffic is down.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  With SoundBite’s interactive messaging, show managers have an easy, efficient and cost-effective way to contact potential attendees and immediately allow them to register.  We’re giving events managers a breakthrough new approach to reaching people, and putting them in a better position to be successful.”

 

The Boston University Corporate Education Center, event management organizations like Reed Exhibition Companies and strategic research and conference companies such as The Kelsey Group have used SoundBite to drive attendee registration by streamlining the registration process.  Interactive SoundBite messages were sent to thousands of prospective attendees, inviting them to register with the option of connecting directly to a registration center on that same call.  In addition, Reed delivered subsequent SoundBite messages containing valuable hotel and travel information to registrants and offering exhibit space to potential exhibitors.

 

“SoundBite delivered impressive results for the Boston University Corporate Education Center,” said Andy Kelley, marketing consultant, BUCEC.  “We needed to drive attendance to one of our Open Houses, and used One-Touch Registration and One-Touch Reminder to support the event.  Attendance went through the roof.”

 

Kelley continued, “BUCEC prides itself on being an early adopter of promising new marketing strategies, and SoundBite fit that bill for us.  In direct marketing, sometimes you’re right, and sometimes you’re wrong.  In this case, we were very, very right.”

 

“We were very pleased with the program SoundBite put together for us to add interactive voice invitations and registrations to our attendee marketing efforts,” said Tom Kobak, Marketing Director, Reed Exhibition Companies. “They were able to turn around the program quickly and it helped in generating strong attendance to our National Hardware Show."

 

A SoundBite message distribution to thousands of recipients can be set up and implemented in only days, making it ideal for both initial invitations as well as last minute reminders.  SoundBite technology incorporates advanced voice recognition capabilities and can be easily customized to achieve specific marketing and communication objectives.

 

“A SoundBite campaign can be developed and implemented in a fraction of the time needed for direct mail or other marketing programs, and at a lower cost,” added McDonough.  “The process couldn’t be simpler, and the results can be dramatic.  This is an instance where a new technology is making a real impact on the bottom line.”

 

 

About SoundBite Communications

SoundBite is a voice communications services company that enables businesses to deliver personal, interactive telephone messages simultaneously to thousands of customers.  A “SoundBite” combines the personal qualities of the human voice with the “one-to-many” and interactive capabilities similar to e-mail, and turns every phone into an interactive group communication tool.  Companies using SoundBite Response interactive voice messaging service are consistently realizing an immediate return on their investment with higher response rates at lower costs.  Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, SoundBite Communications can be reached at 781-273-3360 or on the Internet at www.soundbite.com.

 

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