VerticalResponse Sounds Call for The 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest Presented by Verizon Wireless

Company’s email marketing solution notifies competitors, spectators and media when the “most dangerous surf competition on the planet” is ready to hit the waves

San Francisco, CA – March 3, 2006 – More than 50,000 spectators gathered at Half Moon Bay to watch some of the world’s top athletes compete against the elements and themselves in this year’s edition of The Mavericks Surf Contest®, “the most dangerous surf competition on the planet.”  What did many in the teeming crowd have in common with the 24 elite surfers that braved the 40-foot waves that day?  They were notified of the event by VerticalResponse, Mavericks Surf Ventures’ official email marketing solution.

Unlike most sporting competitions which take place at a designated time planned months in advance, Mavericks is conducted only under ideal big-wave conditions and the exact date is a mystery to everyone but Mother Nature.  As a result, Mavericks Surf Ventures uses VerticalResponse to keep surfers, fans and media supplied with periodic weather reports and surfing-related updates until the time is right.  Then, when the crashing waves signal that it’s time to ride, Mavericks Surf Ventures uses VerticalResponse’s email marketing solution to provide the official contest announcement, typically just 24 to 48 hours before the event kicks-off.

“We’re thrilled to have a strong relationship with an event that is world-renowned and symbolizes the spirit of adventure,” said Janine Popick, CEO, VerticalResponse. “Mavericks does a superb job organizing a strong competition, as well as delivering more than 50,000 fans to the contest.”

Mavericks’ management team has long favored personal emails as a way to keep the surfing community informed about contest-related developments, but as the event grew in popularity, managing the task became a logistical nightmare, causing them to turn to VerticalResponse for a productivity-enhancing solution.

“In the past we’d try to reach all of the fans from our own personal email accounts,” recalled Keir J. Beadling, Managing Partner of Mavericks Surf Ventures LLC. “It became an impossible task to use a private email account when you have so many fans to reach.  VerticalResponse is locally trusted and came recommended to our tech professionals via other Bay Area users.  There really is no other feasible way, whether from a cost, time or logistical perspective to reach the volume of people we need to on such short notice.”

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 Mavericks Surf Ventures:

Mavericks Surf Ventures, LLC is a partnership between surfing legend Jeff Clark and San Francisco-based sports management and marketing firm Evolve Sports, LLC. Mavericks Surf Ventures produces The Mavericks Surf Contest® (www.maverickssurf.com ) Presented by Verizon Wireless and offers apparel and other licensed merchandise under the Mavericks® brand. Coined as "the wave beyond," Mavericks® inspires hardcore athletes to face the unpredictably raw power of Mother Nature, and stirs the souls of those who aspire to challenge their own limits.  The 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest® Presented by Verizon Wireless will be broadcast on NBC Sports at 2pm ET on May 13, 2006.