VerticalResponse Named As Finalist For 2005 Stevie® Awards For Women Entrepreneurs

“The business world’s own Oscars” recognize achievements by female executives and women-owned companies

San Francisco, CA – Dec. 19, 2005 – VerticalResponse has been named a finalist for The 2005 Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.  While CEO Janine Popick was recognized in the “Executive of the Year” category, the email and direct mail marketing firm she heads was also honored as a finalist in the “Fastest-Growing Company” and “Best Marketing Campaign” competitions.

The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs, www.stevieawards.com/women, is an international awards competition recognizing the accomplishments of women executives and business owners.  The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards, hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005).

Stevie Award winners were announced in categories ranging from Best Entrepreneur, Best Executive, Best Young Entrepreneur, Best New Product and Mentor of the Year.  More than 470 nominations were submitted for consideration.

The recognition caps a year in which Popick’s company earned numerous honors, highlighted by its selection as the 26th fastest-growing private company in the Bay Area, as rated by the San Francisco Business Times.  VerticalResponse attracted the attention of the SF Business Times by posting a robust 163% percent growth rate for the 2002-2004 period. That trend shows little signs of stopping as in Q3 2005, the company reported revenues higher than those of the preceding quarter for the 13th straight time, a performance that made an impression on the selection committee.

“The winners of the Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs reflect the vital and inspiring role that women executives and entrepreneurs play in today’s economy,” said Michael Gallagher, president of The Stevie Awards.  “All of this year’s Finalists and winners are to be congratulated for their achievements and for their contributions to their communities.”

“This award is a tremendous testament to the work of the entire VerticalResponse team and the thousands of customers that rely on us for their direct marketing needs”” Popick said.  “It’s yet more proof that dedicated, industrious women can thrive as entrepreneurs and make a positive contribution to society and the economy in the process.”

The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneursare governed by a Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors that features many leading women entrepreneurs and figures in American business, including Carrie Fitzmaurice, publisher for Entrepreneur Media Inc.; Dr. Lisa Krinsky, chairman & president for SFBC International; and Dr. Betty Spence, president of The National Association for Female Executives.

The elegant Stevie trophy was designed by R. S. Owens, the same company that makes the Oscar and the Emmy.

Details about The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs and the full list of Finalists are available at http://www.stevieawards.com/women/.

About VerticalResponse

VerticalResponse, Inc. (http://www.verticalresponse.com) is a leading provider of self-service email and direct mail services empowering businesses of all sizes to create, manage and assess their own direct marketing campaigns. VerticalResponse’s flagship product, which allows customers to deliver sophisticated yet easily deployed email campaigns, is the most intuitive and affordable Web-based direct marketing solution available. VerticalResponse is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For additional information, please visit www.verticalresponse.com.

About The Stevie Awards

Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.