|
Pacific University Finds True Star Power in Vontoo Voice Messaging
Alumni association incorporates call messaging into highly successful celebrity fundraiser
Receiving a phone call from one’s former college may not seem unusual. However, when the message comes directly from a celebrity like lead KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer or former San Francisco 49er Dwight Clark, it gets more notice. With this kind of star power behind the Pacific University Legends Golf Classic, the institution sought a distinctive approach to enhancing the event’s promotion. What it found was the emotional impact of Vontoo voice messaging (http://www.vontoo.com) to be a key factor in creating a “smashing success” of a fundraiser.
The classic was a two-day event benefiting the school’s athletic department. According to Alumni Director Brian Hess, participants could pre-bid on various celebrities in an on-line auction to join their foursome. Wanting to fully leverage this star power, Hess relied on Vontoo’s voice messaging.
“Our in-house phone tree system couldn’t handle the campaign,” explains Hess. “Vontoo seemed like the perfect solution for this kind of high-level celebrity tournament.”
Vontoo delivers pre-recorded voice messages to any landline, mobile or Internet-based phone in the United States or Canada. Via a simple Internet interface, Hess seamlessly imported his Excel list of invited participants into Vontoo’s system and then scheduled a delivery time for the messages. Hess next asked featured celebrities to make a recording encouraging the participants to bid, which was accomplished through a simple phone call. Once the voice messages were completed, they were automatically distributed as scheduled.
“With its straightforward three-step process, Vontoo was very easy to follow and simple to execute for the celebrities,” explains Hess. “Other systems required travel to campus to record a message.”
Hess says he relied on Vontoo’s tracking reports automatically generated after every voice broadcast to discover which messages reached a live person versus an answering machine or voicemail system, and for how long that individual listened to the call. “Not only were Vontoo’s reports useful in knowing who was most interested, but it was also a reasonably inexpensive way of maintaining enthusiasm and awareness,” he shares. “The response rate was quite strong.” While it was difficult to gauge Vontoo’s full impact as this was a first-time event, Hess says the majority of bidding came from those who received a celebrity reminder call versus only mailed or e-mailed communications.
Pacific University is now exploring other applications such as class reunions, annual giving campaigns, and recruitment efforts where Vontoo supported campaigns could play an integral role. “In university relations, an individual’s level of connection to the institution is crucial…,” reflects Hess. “…and in this area, Vontoo adds another level of personalization. It is a wonderful way to send a direct message to a group of individuals.”
Download PDF Version of Success Story
|
