Acxiom(R) Corp., a global company involved in customer data integration (CDI) and customer recognition infrastructure, has entered into agreements with The Cobalt Group and LogicLinc to build and deliver a new eCRM (electronic customer relationship management) solution called AutoMarket In.Sight(SM) for the automotive industry.

According to the three companies, AutoMarket In.Sight is a suite of products and services designed to help auto dealers and manufacturers use technology to develop and leverage stronger lifetime relationships with their customers. It will provide Internet-based data management and acquisition services designed to improve customer retention and increase revenue in vehicle sales and service.

"This establishes a new standard for retailers closest to the car-buying customer -- automotive dealers -- to have sophisticated customer relationship management tools available to them," said Charles D. Morgan, Acxiom company leader. "We have partnered with proven industry leaders to develop a next-generation eCRM solution that will help dealers communicate with customers and prospects on a one-to-one basis with reliable, real-time data at the highest level of service available to the automotive industry."

Each participating company brings distinct core competencies to AutoMarket In.Sight. Acxiom will use its AbiliTec(TM) Customer Data Integration software to facilitate data access. Launched by Acxiom in 1999 and already adopted by several major companies to help them create a single view of their customers across the enterprise, AbiliTec is designed to enable businesses to form more complete portraits of customer relationships.

As a provider of e-business products and services to the automotive industry, Cobalt will develop the application interface and host and maintain the dealer applications, which will be accessed through MotorPlace.com, Cobalt's online business management portal for auto dealers. In addition, Cobalt will provide dealer training and dealership management system data extraction in order to link the service directly to dealer inventory and manufacturer offers.

"Cobalt has deep experience providing e-business products and services to auto dealers and manufacturers, and we have always believed that CRM is where the real promise lies for the auto industry and the Internet," said John Holt, president and CEO of The Cobalt Group. "AutoMarket In.Sight provides a cost-effective way for dealers and manufacturers to utilize technology to more effectively communicate with their customers and prospects."

LogicLinc, responsible for developing landmark strategies for the automotive industry, will deliver analytical and data resources, including a triple-screen analysis that segments consumers by their likely vehicle choice. Acxiom and LogicLinc will also perform and manage the modeling and analytics needed to interpret and add value to marketing data.

"The principal goal of AutoMarket In.Sight is to help build and support loyal, long-standing relationships between auto dealers and their customers," said Robert R. McGuire, founder and CEO of LogicLinc. "LogicLinc is proud to be able to provide the analytics and data resources to support these efforts. The automotive industry will truly benefit from this innovative one-to-one marketing tool."

AutoMarket In.Sight uses Internet technology to provide dealers with real-time access to integrated customer and vehicle ownership data, allowing dealers to strategically manage all interactions with their customers, whether in person, via phone or on the Internet. Using knowledge about the customer that is accessed through AutoMarket In.Sight, a dealer can, according to the three companies, deliver personalized service and the right message to the right customer at the right time via the customer's preferred contact channel.

AutoMarket In.Sight can be customized for dealers, dealer groups and manufacturers. It is designed to work with any level of participation and sophistication.

About Acxiom Corporation

Acxiom Corp., involved in customer data integration (CDI) and customer recognition infrastructure, enables businesses to develop and deepen customer relationships by creating a single, accurate view of their customers across the enterprise.

Acxiom achieves this by providing CDI software, database management services, and customer data content through its AbiliTec(TM), Solvitur(R) and InfoBase(R) products, while also offering information technology outsourcing services.

Founded in 1969, Acxiom is based in Little Rock, Ark., with locations throughout the United States and with operations in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia.

Acxiom revenues were $1.01 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.

For more information, visit www.acxiom.com.

About The Cobalt Group

The Cobalt Group(TM), headquartered in Seattle, is a provider of e-business products and services designed to help automotive dealers and manufacturers manage their businesses online.

Cobalt's suite of e-business solutions includes Web services, Web site hosting, e-commerce applications, Internet-based customer relationship management applications, data management, and best practices training and consulting.

For more information, visit www.cobaltgroup.com.

About LogicLinc

LogicLinc applies analytical and data resources to define consumers' ability, propensity, motivation and timing to purchase automotive vehicles.

The LogicLinc staff is comprised of Ph.D. level mathematicians, psychologists, sociologists, and strategic market planners. Members of this staff have been instrumental in developing and executing landmark strategies for the automotive industry.

Combining its resources, LogicLinc has established a triple screen analysis to segment the consumer population by their likely vehicle of choice.

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