MENLO PARK, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2005) - EmailLabs (www.emaillabs.com), the leading Web services provider
in the email marketing space, today announced that PhotoChannel Networks (www.photochannel.com), a leading digital imaging
technology provider, is using EmailLabs to provide a full service email
marketing solution to its brand-name clients, including Wal-Mart Canada and
Blacks Photo Corporation.
After an exhaustive search for the right email platform provider, EmailLabs
emerged as the clear choice for PhotoChannel based on its comprehensive
reporting tools and campaign-management features. In addition, EmailLabs’ API
(Application Programming Interface) affords PhotoChannel the ability to scale by
having customer data automatically loaded into an email marketing program as its
customers’ membership base continues to grow. Since implementing the EmailLabs
platform PhotoChannel has consistently seen click-through and conversion rates
exceed expectations, while unsubscribe ratios have decreased.
“With the world’s largest retailers, including PhotoChannel customers such as
Wal-Mart Canada, realizing the power of email marketing, it was imperative for
PhotoChannel to develop a robust program around the marketing channel to deliver
the services the retailers require,” said Kyle Hall, PhotoChannel Networks’ EVP
of business development. “The successes we’ve achieved with the EmailLabs
platform has helped us gain more marketing and professional service contracts
while at the same time increasing the overall revenue derived by our retail
customers.”
Wal-Mart Canada - Snapping Ahead in Photo Services
Founded in March 1994, Wal-Mart Canada (www.walmartcanada.ca) has 256 stores and employs more
than 70,000 Canadians from coast to coast. Selected as the sole provider for
Wal-Mart Canada’s online photo services, PhotoChannel allows consumers to upload
and crop photos, choose printing options and assign store location for pick-up
and payment.
The companies worked together to create an e-newsletter that consumers can
sign up for to receive notifications regarding printing and pricing options,
gift ideas and updates on new services offered by Wal-Mart. Powered by
EmailLabs’ platform, PhotoChannel sends out thousands of emails to its Wal-Mart
Canada client base on a bi-weekly basis, increasing the frequency during the
holidays. By giving customers greater access to the products and services
Wal-Mart offers online, the campaign has been successful in boosting sales,
especially the sales of photo gift items.
“With digital cameras flooding the market, Wal-Mart Canada has been in the
process of developing new service offerings to respond to our customers needs,”
said Tony Hugens, business development for Wal-Mart Canada PhotoCentre On-Line.
“Our online photo services have been a success since day one based on macro
level measurement such as the quantity and size of orders we receive. Now with
our personalized email marketing program through PhotoChannel, we are able to
measure success on the micro level of individual products and services that we
are able to highlight using the service. The end result is that the online photo
department is doing exceptionally well.”
“There are many companies in a similar position as Wal-Mart Canada who are
looking to translate the success of offline services to the online channel,”
said Dave Sousa, CEO of EmailLabs. “By working closely with companies like
PhotoChannel to deliver innovative and successful campaigns, EmailLabs is
helping build online brand awareness and foster return business.”
About PhotoChannel
Founded in 1995, PhotoChannel has created and manages the open standard
PhotoChannel Network environment. The PhotoChannel system is currently utilized
by major photofinishing retailers and wireless carriers to provide their
consumers with online image printing and picture messaging services. There are
more than 8,000 retail locations worldwide accepting print orders from the
PhotoChannel system. For more information on the company visit: www.photochannel.com.
