StrongMail, a leading provider of online marketing solutions for email and social media, today announced that Rawlings Gear, the official online store for Rawlings Sporting Goods, has chosen and deployed StrongMail to power its marketing and transactional programs with StrongMail's solutions.

Since its founding in 2008 as the official e-commerce site for Rawlings Sporting Goods, Rawlings Gear has experienced rapid growth in the number of customers using the store to get the latest Rawlings-branded merchandise. Rawlings Gear originally relied on a hosted solution from an email service provider (ESP), but it began looking for an alternative solution that would allow it to grow without paying costly CPM fees and also provide better control over targeting and deliverability.

"Switching to StrongMail has enabled us to cost-effectively grow our email marketing programs while also improving deliverability and providing our customers with more relevant messages," said Suzanne Weschke, eCommerce Marketing Director at Rawlings Gear. "Using StrongMail's data integration capabilities and dynamic content engine, we have streamlined the management of our email programs and increased our level of segmentation and targeting."

Before StrongMail, Rawlings Gear created different email templates for each customer segment, which was time consuming and difficult to manage. Now, with StrongMail, Rawlings Gear has made the entire process more efficient by allowing them to create one template that pulls in different dynamic content based on pre-defined criteria. StrongMail also played a key role in the success of its Bazaarvoice-powered product review program launched earlier this year. StrongMail's flexibility enabled Rawlings Gear to rapidly create a triggered email that prompts customers to leave a product review three weeks after order shipment.

"Rawlings Gear's experience with StrongMail showcases the benefits that growing retailers can have by switching to a flexible and dedicated email solution," said Dave Cormier, director of product marketing for StrongMail. “The continued demand we're seeing for our email solutions underscores the value that we provide email marketers as they look to reduce costs and improve the relevancy of their email communications.”

Rawlings Gear has also improved deliverability as a result of switching to StrongMail. Using StrongMail's in-depth deliverability reporting, Rawlings Gear has been able to address issues in real time and get more of its messages to the inbox.

About Rawlings Gear

Rawlings Gear was founded in 2008 to be the official online store for Rawlings Sporting Goods. The ultimate one-stop shop for anything Rawlings related, Rawlings Gear's mission is to provide customers with great Rawlings product selection, competitive pricing and customer service that are second to none. Rawlings Gear's popular e-commerce site features an extensive collection of Rawlings branded products, including: baseball gloves, baseball bats, baseballs, equipment bags, protective gear, batting helmets and softball equipment. For more information, visit www.RawlingsGear.com.

About StrongMail Systems, Inc.

StrongMail’s online marketing solutions for email and social media enable businesses to reach, engage and influence their target audience using the most powerful channels available to marketers today. StrongMail gives email marketers the control and support they need to improve campaign performance, boost deliverability and lower costs, while also leveraging the power of social media to extend the reach of their campaigns and brand to new audiences. Combining an easy-to-use email marketing application, high-performance delivery system, viral-marketing tool, social media integration, and a wide range of deliverability, strategic and supporting services, StrongMail makes it possible for companies with all levels of resources and expertise to take advantage of its proven solutions. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, StrongMail’s clients include global leaders across virtually every industry. To learn more about StrongMail, please visit www.strongmail.com or follow us online at www.twitter.com/StrongMail or www.facebook.com/StrongMail.