Wednesday, December 10, 2008
CircleUp Launches Group Communications Tool, Links With Active Network
Newport Beach-based CircleUp, which provides Web 2.0-style group messaging services, said today that it has launched a new platform to help groups communicate with their members. The new platform--billed SmartMessage--helps groups send messages among members and others. As part of the announcement, CircleUp said it has linked with San Diego-based Active Network's eteamz division, which will deploy the new tool throughout its web sites. Financial impact of the Active Network deal was not disclosed. CircleUp said that its new platform is targeted at partners that serve groups in the participation sports, nonprofit, education, faith based and club / association markets. The platform includes APIs for contact and single sign-on integration, along with premium features such as wireless support and affiliate commissions which are shared with partners. CircleUp's application allows organizers to send out messages to a group, and then manage responses through a web-based interface, rather than having to deal with individual email responses. The firm is headed by John Payne, former CEO of Stamps.com, and venture backed by Sid R. Bass Associates.