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For nearly 30 years, The Clinton Group, Inc. (TCG) has been providing clients with teleservices, direct mail and interactive marketing expertise. Although we have implemented thousands of successful programs over the years, a commercial, grassroots and political example is included here to illustrate the strength and diversity of our services. Louisville Gas and Electric Energy Corporation operates one of the nation's most successful Home Appliance Protection Programs through its subsidiary LG&E Home Services. As a result of the merger, the appliance protection program was introduced into a newly acquired market. The previous utility had minimal business-to-consumer contact and there was concern that initiating a new corporate program through telemarketing might result in negative repercussions in this marketplace. TCG developed a "corporate identity" plan that included conversational scripting, in-depth training, and flexible call scheduling. The scripting and training created a more knowledgeable sales team that produced significant net results. A key factor in the success of the plan was LG&E Home Services' and TCG's commitment to ongoing program evaluation, interval training and continuous modifications to insure improved long-term results. Specific results included:After one month, TCG's weekly average Sales Per Hour (SPH) was 0.56. After six months the average SPH was 0.95. Over a six-month period, the drop rate of new customers through the TCG telephone program was less than 3%. TCG was given the task of calling into a recently penetrated market. This type of call may have adverse effects due to repetitive customer contact. The first attempt was conducted by a large call center that resulted in an average SPH of less than 0.20. Less than three months later, TCG achieved an average SPH of 0.80 in this same market. Citizens for Better Medicare (CBM), is a broad-based, bipartisan coalition representing seniors, businesses, pharmaceutical research companies, doctors, caregivers and patient advocates. CBM is a client of APCO Worldwide (APCO) a public affairs and strategic communications firm. In 1999, APCO and CBM launched a public information and education program to help Americans understand the issues surrounding Medicare reform. Among the founding members were the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the National Kidney Cancer Association, the United Seniors Association, the Seniors Coalition and the National Association of Manufacturers. Prescription drug coverage, as a part of Medicare, is presently a hot topic in Washington, DC. Congress will be considering Medicare reform legislation over the next few months and Congressional members need to be asking the right questions and making the right choices. CBM believes that the right Medicare reforms are those that improve drug coverage, keep patients and doctors (not government) in control, protect the choices seniors currently have, and guarantee that investment in future cures is not diminished by excessive government regulation. CBM advocates that Congress should strengthen and improve Medicare and expand prescription drug coverage for seniors. CBM wants Congress to do it the right way, and APCO is helping them make it happen. CBM was searching for a solution that would allow these policy-makers to hear from their constituents so that Congress would not pass a government-run prescription drug plan. Together, APCO and TCG designed and developed a comprehensive multi-phased inbound and outbound telecommunications program that identified supporters and activists. These supporters and activists were obtained through effective targeting and purchasing of voter records for individuals deemed most likely to become activists. We then developed unique persuasive telephone messages for each target group. These prospective activists were engaged in an aggressive mail campaign. TCG sensitized voters through the telecommunications program prior to their receiving a mailing and approximately one-week following the mail. Follow-up recruitment calls were placed to the same list of potential members. TCG built a national grassroots army of activists equipped to deliver a distinct message to Congress. Messages are delivered through a variety of vehicles, personal letters, telegrams and direct connect telephone calls. All of the constituent communications are developed and agreed upon during recruitment and activation telephone conversations. Thanks to continued letters, telegrams and calls to Congress, CBM has gained momentum in Washington. Seniors' voices are being heard. TCG's telephone operators identified potential advocates, educated them on the issue, enlisted their involvement and followed up to make certain the appropriate action was taken at the right time and with the proper intensity. The 2000 New Mexico State Legislative elections presented an opportunity for TCG to povide consultative services and execute a large-scale, multi-layered call program involving House and Senate Legislative district campaigns. TCG worked closely with its client, the New Mexico Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (NMDLCC), to design a telephone program which addressed the specific needs of the individual district races throughout the state. This encompassed planning and coordinating 19 races, including both incumbents and challengers in 13 House and 6 Senate districts. Messages were indivualized for each candidate, based on the salience of a specific issue(s) in that particular local race. This individualized scripting technique was maintained for each round of telephone calls, a feature that is indicative of all TCG programs. For most races, voters were the recipients of 6 different calls timed for release throughout the campaign: a hard ID, three Persuasion rounds, and two GOTV contacts. Depending upon the unique political circumstance of the candidate, TCG maintained the flexibilty to scale-back or expand the number of different types of messages. In order to maximize voter contact and realize operating efficiencies associated with traditionally larger universes, 11 of the 13 house districts were combined into one large universe. The integrity of the call response data and the reporting outcomes for each of these districts was maintained. Jason Sandel, Executive Director of the NMDLCC, was easily able to monitor any of the telephone calls. The remaining 2 House districts, and the 9 Senate races were conducted on an individual basis. In addition to flexible scripting and tactical data manipulation, TCG was able to accommodate the addition of extra state races late in the course of the campaign. Subsequently, three more Senate districts were added and slated for scripted messages. This ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances while continuing to deliver an effective, targeted communication plan is one of the hallmarks of TCG. Out of 22 races, Democrats won 17 of these election contests. Among the incumbents, 11 of 13 were re-elected, despite strong bids to unseat them. Democratic challengers won 6 of 9 races. In fact, 61 or fewer votes decided 4 of the 22 elections. These numbers prove yet again that multiple repetitive voter contact can decide the outcome of an election. Thanks to the close working relationship and ongoing communication between the Leadership, program management and operations, the political outcome of the 22 New Mexico races was most gratifying. Please contact us to get your next teleservices, direct mail or interactive communications program started.