Pier 1 Imports Partners with ExactTarget to Build Better Customer Communications

INDIANAPOLIS--ExactTarget, a leading provider of on-demand email and one-to-one marketing solutions, announced today that Pier 1 Imports has once again chosen the company to power its global one-to-one marketing campaigns.

The choice by Pier 1 Imports, North America`s largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts, continues a near three-year relationship between the two companies and brings with it new tools to build better communications for its customers.

“We continue to see an increased interest among consumers in receiving marketing messages via email from Pier 1 Imports,” said Jeff Haddox, a direct marketing analyst at Pier 1 Imports. “We’ll build on that momentum in 2009 with a new online subscription center that will allow customers to tell us exactly what types of messages they’d like to receive as well as the message frequency.”

In addition to powering email marketing messages for the company, ExactTarget will use its landing page technology to power Pier 1 Imports’ new Web-based subscription center launching this summer. The integrated online site will allow consumers to subscribe to receive messages via email, direct mail or both. The technology will also automatically update Pier 1 Imports’ data management system, which holds its subscriber list for ExactTarget-powered messages, with any changes to a consumer’s preferences or personal information.

Pier 1 Imports will also begin using ExactTarget’s SMS text messaging this summer in test markets to capture information regarding sweepstake registrations and email subscriber information.

“Pier 1 is harnessing the power of the most sophisticated one-to-one marketing platform for retailers to engage with their customers through a mix of email, text messaging and landing pages,” said Tim Kopp, chief marketing officer at ExactTarget. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Pier 1 and look forward to partnering with them to drive increased relevancy by offering subscribers additional choices on how they would like to receive messages.”

The news of Pier 1 Imports’ continued partnership with ExactTarget comes less than a month after ExactTarget introduced its retail ‘how-to’ guide entitled, Retailers, Get Relevant. The 15-page guide provides retailers tips on how to use aggregated customer data to build targeted relevant messages that can be delivered via triggered email, voice messages and text messages to acquire, convert and retain the most profitable and loyal customers. The guide is free and is available online here.

Pier 1 Imports customers can subscribe to the company’s email and catalog mailings online at www.pier1.com/InTouch.aspx.

About Pier 1 Imports

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is the original global importer and is North America’s largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com.

About ExactTarget

ExactTarget, Inc. is a leading provider of on-demand email marketing software solutions. The company’s suite of on-demand one-to-one marketing applications enable clients to send business-critical and event triggered communications to increase sales, optimize marketing investments and strengthen customer relationships. ExactTarget offers four editions of its on-demand software application along with integrated solutions such as ExactTarget for Salesforce.com AppExchange, ExactTarget for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ExactTarget for Omniture Genesis. ExactTarget offers a range of optimization services including support, implementation and training, integration, deliverability, account management, design and deployment and strategic consulting. ExactTarget’s software powers permission-based email communications for thousands of organizations including CareerBuilder.com, Expedia.com, Florida Power & Light, Gannett Co., Inc/USA TODAY, the Indianapolis Colts, The Home Depot, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Liberty Mutual Group, Papa John’s and Wellpoint, Inc. For more information, please visit www.exacttarget.com or call 1-866-EMAILET.