creativematch helping next generation of creatives by donating email campaign to educational charity

February 14, 2007 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
creativematch, the portal for the UK creative industry, is donating a year’s worth of its digital direct mail application to help young creatives.

D&AD, a not-for-profit educational charity, will be able to use the bespoke email software to communicate with the thousands of creative students it helps get on the career ladder each year as well as its business supporters.

The web based application, currently used by creative companies like Imagination and client companies like Bank of Scotland, Lloyd’s and Tussauds Group, enables users to manage email marketing strategies, data and templates, broadcasting to opt-in subscribers and view real time reports.

“We are delighted to be able to support D&AD which gives students studying in our sphere many inspirational opportunities in a business world,” said creativematch CEO Mark Lesbirel.

“It’s our way of showing a commitment to helping creative students into business. The creative economy accounts for around 9% of the UK’s GDP, and we need to be looking to expand that. It’s vital that business picks up the ball on this issue, as those who support D&AD are already doing,” he explains.

D&AD will use the software to create campaigns in support of its mission to set industry standards, educate and inspire the next generation of creatives as well as demonstrate the impact of creativity and innovation on enhancing business performance.

“Direct email is leading the way in online communication and the software will increase our capability to educate and relate our message,” says Maeve O’Sullivan of D&AD.

“creativematch’s donation shows how business and education can work together to help encourage and support the next creative age. Keeping the industry fed with new talent and equipped with relevant skills, is all of our responsibility,” she says.

The software tracks user behaviour, identifying in real time the content opened and responses received, which gives the sender quantifiable feedback on what works best in communications.

“It offers the opportunity for users to gain an understanding of their audience and tailor the delivery of relevant content in a branded environment,” says creativematch CTO Adrian Marshall.

“Our software gives D&AD a method to deliver their message digitally and in a highly targeted way to an online audience; a must in today’s virtual world.”

Editor’s notes

creativematch is an online resource for creative companies and their clients, providing a directory of services, the latest jobs, industry news and information, a monthly prize competition for photographers and illustrators and much more. Run by creatives since 1996, its mission is to build an online business community for the creative industry.

About D&AD
D&AD is a not-for-profit educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities. Since 1962, D&AD has set industry standards, educated and inspired the next generation and, more recently, has demonstrated the impact of creativity and innovation on enhancing business performance.

Each year D&AD invests around £2 million running 18 different education programmes providing support for universities and colleges and their students and graduates, as well as working on behalf of the international creative community to bridge the gap between education and the workplace.

D&AD builds understanding of the important contribution of creativity, ideas and innovation to business performance through Creativity Works.

For more information visit http://www.dandad.org

Contacts:

Creativematch
Cheryl Chapman
E: cheryl.chapman@creativematch.co.uk
T: 0208 899 6741

Marl Lesbirel, creativematch CEO
E: mark.lesbirel@creativematch.co.uk
T: 0208 899 6740

D&AD
Maeve O’Sullivan
E: maeve@dandad.co.uk
T: 0207 840 1125