VerticalResponse Launches Customized Web-Based Direct Marketing Solution For Franchises

Premiere Gift Store Franchise Country Clutter Selects VerticalResponse to Empower its Franchisees to Launch Customized, Local Online Promotions

San Francisco, CA – April 29, 2003 – VerticalResponse, a leading provider of self-service and customized direct marketing solutions for small and medium sized businesses, today announced the launch of its customized direct marketing solution for franchises. The new solution features iBuilder, VerticalResponse’s Web-based direct marketing product, and allows franchisers to build their brand while empowering franchisees to quickly and affordably launch their own customized online promotions.

Through a Web browser, iBuilder allows users to build, control and measure the key functions within a direct email marketing program – from list management to the development of customizable, branded campaigns to email delivery to results measuring and reporting. As part of its new franchise program, VerticalResponse is offering franchisers a customized, co-branded version of iBuilder, franchisee service support and revenue opportunities through a shared commission program. Unlike other solutions on the market, iBuilder requires no technical expertise and involves no support costs or set-up fees.

“The self-service capabilities and customization features of iBuilder are ideal for a franchise such as Country Clutter that is looking to provide franchisees with a powerful yet affordable marketing solution,” said Janine Popick, CEO of VerticalResponse, Inc. “The franchiser is able to quickly and easily provide franchisees with a branded, yet customizable and localized solution that delivers more bang for the buck than most other marketing programs.”

VerticalResponse also announced today that Country Clutter, voted the number one gift store franchise by Entrepreneur magazine the last four years, has selected and deployed iBuilder to direct market in-store events, exclusive and new products, special offers and its monthly newsletter to Country Clutter customers. Of Country Clutter’s 70 franchisees, 50 are using iBuilder and have developed opt-in databases to receive store information and promotions. The leading gift store franchiser uses iBuilder to create email promotions for all franchisee events, products and promotions and makes these available to the franchisees within a co-branded environment. Country Clutter stores are then able to choose among these email promotions and customize and launch them at their own convenience.

“ We chose VerticalResponse’s iBuilder after reviewing several email marketing solutions, continuing our commitment to provide our franchise owners with the most effective business systems and support,” said Scott Jacobs, President of Country Visions, Inc., the franchise company for Country Clutter. “We needed a solution that allowed our stores to leverage the Country Clutter brand while simultaneously empowering them to easily, quickly and affordably run their own marketing campaigns. Our stores are now launching customized, corporate-approved email promotions within a Country Clutter branded environment, providing a direct, personal and measurable connection with customers.”

About Country Clutter

Founded in 1991 and privately held, Country Visions Inc. is the national Franchise Company for Country Clutter stores. Each of the 70 plus Country Clutter stores is individually owned and operated with assistance from the Country Visions organization. Country Clutter stores are famous for their warm atmosphere, fragrant aromas, friendly helpful staff and extensive selection of collectible, gift and home decor items including Boyds Bears and Yankee Candles. The Country Clutter franchise stores feature a range of product lines in the categories of candles and candle accessories, Boyds Bears, kitchenware, collectibles and folk art prints, as well as exclusive Boyds Bears and exclusive Boyds and Yankee Gift sets.

About VerticalResponse

VerticalResponse, Inc., a leading provider of self-service and customized direct marketing solutions, empowers small and medium sized businesses to build, control and measure their own direct marketing campaigns. The company's flagship product, iBuilder, is the most intuitive Web-based direct marketing solution on the market, allowing customers to deliver highly sophisticated and easy-to-deploy email marketing campaigns. Today, thousands of businesses, including Brookstone Company, Country Clutter, The Breast Cancer Fund, Silverado Vineyards, S&S Worldwide and SalesLogix have deployed iBuilder to power their direct marketing programs. VerticalResponse is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For additional information, please visit the company's Web site at www.verticalresponse.com.