New Jersey Performing Arts Center Selects Blackbaud Solution to Manage Critical Ticketing and Fundraising Operations
CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov 15, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB), the leading provider of software and related services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, announced today that the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has selected the firm's integrated technology solution to support the organization's drive to deliver unparalleled customer service.
Supporting the organization's vision
"We were looking for a company that would get excited about our vision and provide both software and services that would support our customer-focused processes," said Toni Hendrix assistant vice president of ticket sales and chief customer officer at NJPAC. "Our goal to become the venue of choice for performing arts patrons in our region is a business initiative, not just a technology initiative. Blackbaud understands that and was the clear choice for NJPAC."
NJPAC needed a technology solution that would support how it wanted to understand and leverage customer interactions. In addition to handling the core functional needs of the box office, including online ticket sales, the solution needed to provide integrated fundraising capabilities and offer the opportunity to capture and append key patron information from other customer touch points and data sources.
To this end, the organization will deploy a combination of software and services from Blackbaud, including The Patron Edge(TM) (for ticketing management), The Raiser's Edge(R) (for fundraising management) and The Information Edge(TM) (for Business Intelligence).
"With this suite of applications, Blackbaud has demonstrated its understanding and commitment to our vision of an institution-wide CRM solution. The Patron Edge provides critical operational support to the box office, and does so in a way that makes the potentially complicated process of servicing ticket requests manageable, while also capturing additional customer data. As a result, our agents will be able draw on this data to individualize each interaction with the customer, whether providing the next level of customer service, suggesting additional performances or acknowledging personal preferences," said Terri-Ann Stoeckle assistant vice president and chief information officer at NJPAC.
A holistic view of the customer
Used in conjunction with The Raiser's Edge, Blackbaud's award-winning fundraising solution, The Patron Edge provides a 360-degree view of patrons and donors. With the addition of The Information Edge - the first business intelligence tool designed specifically for nonprofit organizations - Blackbaud is able to support NJPAC's customer-focused initiative.
"Competition for patrons in the performing arts community is growing. We need to constantly find new ways to better reach and engage customers. That begins with an understanding of who is doing business with us and why. The Information Edge will help us analyze all the different interactions each person has with us, such as buying a ticket online, participating in an arts program or attending a concert. If we can see these interactions, we will be able to find ways to serve customers better," said Hendrix.
"We are excited to offer a solution that provides each office with what they need to do their jobs while supporting a holistic customer focus," said Robert J. Sywolski, chief executive officer at Blackbaud, Inc. "With the big picture view our complete solution delivers, nonprofit leaders can truly cultivate relationships that last a lifetime."
About the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, NJ, opened its doors in 1997 and has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the world's most dynamic venues. More than 3.5 million people have visited NJPAC to see world-class artists, attend hundreds of special events or participate in the Arts Center's nationally recognized Arts Education program.
About Blackbaud, Inc.
Blackbaud is the leading global provider of software and related services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations. More than 12,500 organizations - including the American Red Cross, Bowdoin College, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, the Detroit Zoological Society, Episcopal High School, Help the Aged, the Mayo Foundation, the New York Philharmonic and United Way of America - use Blackbaud products and consulting services for fundraising, financial management, business intelligence and school administration. Blackbaud's solutions include The Raiser's Edge(R), The Financial Edge(TM), The Education Edge(TM), The Patron Edge(TM), Blackbaud NetCommunity(TM), The Information Edge(TM), WealthPoint(TM) and ProspectPoint(TM), as well as a wide range of consulting and educational services. Founded in 1981, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Glasgow, Scotland, and Sydney, Australia. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.
Blackbaud, the Blackbaud logo, The Raiser's Edge, The Financial Edge, The Education Edge, The Patron Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity, The Information Edge, WealthPoint and ProspectPoint are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.
Forward-looking statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: adoption of our products and services by nonprofits, particularly new offerings; risk associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organizations; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; risk associated with product concentration; economic conditions and seasonality; competition; risks associated with management of growth; risks associated with acquisitions; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department.
SOURCE: Blackbaud, Inc.
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc. Megan McDonnell, 203-682-8200 mmcdonnell@icrinc.com or Blackbaud, Inc. Rachel Hutchisson, 843-216-6200 x3070 rachel.hutchisson@blackbaud.com or New Jersey Performing Arts Center Jeffrey Norman, 973-642-8989 jnorman@njpac.org