Convio Adds Consumers Union to Clientele Using Integrated Online Advocacy and Fundraising Solutions

AUSTIN, TEXAS (November 10, 2003) -- Convio, Inc. -- the leading provider of Internet software and services that help nonprofits build stronger constituent relationships online to drive success in advocacy, fundraising, marketing, membership and outreach -- now provides its solution to Consumers Union, one of the nation's foremost nonprofit consumer advocacy organizations.

"It is an honor to earn the right to work with Consumers Union -- one of the biggest names today in advocacy," said Gene Austin, CEO of Convio. "We believe that Consumers Union's work for consumers will benefit from the strength of our online advocacy tools. Also, our integrated platform makes it easy for Consumers Union to add other Convio software products as the group's Internet needs change."

With Convio's advocacy tools, nonprofit groups such as Consumers Union are able to:

  • Quickly and easily produce and send compelling, graphical email action alerts to inform activists about issues and prompt them to take action;

  • Create and manage Web pages for each action alert so activists have background information and can send template letters or template letters they modify to lawmakers and/or other decision makers, leaders or other influential groups;

  • Utilize integrated federal executive and legislative, and state governor contact databases, searchable by ZIP code, or target custom contacts and reusable lists such as media, committees, swing voters or industry groups;

  • Ensure that messages reach lawmakers by specifying fax or email delivery for certain targets, with automatic rollover of email to fax (or vice versa), automatic re-send for failed delivery and support for legislator Web forms; and

  • Analyze response rates to better understand which online campaigns are the most effective -- key for refining future efforts.

Convio also enables an organization to establish a single database for keeping better track of each constituent's interests, based on information he or she provides through online registration, surveys, participation in action alerts and other interactions. The organization then can use that information to personalize email, Web site content and additional communications, increasing relevancy and effectiveness.

About Consumers Union

Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing, information, and advocacy organization serving only consumers. For more information, please visit http://www.consumersunion.org/. To view Consumers Union's privacy policy, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on Privacy Policy.

About Convio

Convio is the leading provider of software and services that help nonprofit organizations use the Internet to build strong constituent relationships to drive support and participation. Convio has online solution centers for fundraising and membership, advocacy, special events, volunteer fundraising, Web site management, email communications and alumni relations. All centers include the Constituent360TM platform, a sophisticated, online marketing database that centralizes constituent data and integrates with offline databases. This gives nonprofits a unified view of constituent interests and motivations -- key for personalized and targeted outreach and communications. Convio also provides services and consulting to help nonprofits achieve success online.


In addition to Consumers Union, Convio's clients include Easter Seals, American Diabetes Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, AVON Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, KCET Community Television of Southern California, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, National Trust For Historic Preservation, the University of Texas at Austin's alumni association -- the Texas Exes, and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. For more information, please visit www.convio.com.