YSA Uses Next-Generation Technology To Get Out The Vote

Media Contact:
Art Marchessault, ContextIT
(603) 924-7800
ArtM@contextit.com

Christina Wessell, Youth Service America
(202) 296-2992
cwessell@ysa.org

Oct 18, Washington, DC - Youth Service America (YSA) today unveiled a revolutionary new technology that dynamically generates millions of versions of any written communication. BrightText™ technology, a product of ContextIT, creates recombinant, multi-branching text for e-mails and other communications. YSA members are using the technology to email their friends, urging them to vote in the upcoming election.

Youth Service America's membership includes more than 30,000 individuals and 300 organizations, representing over 30 million young people. It is the largest alliance in the United States of youth development and service organizations working to strengthen America's local communities through service, service-learning, and civic engagement.

YSA members receive an email telling them to go to an action page on the YSA website:
http://www.ysa.org/servicevote/btext/index.cfm

Each visitor to that page sees one of more than 600 million versions of the same letter, which loads into the visitor's email program at the touch of a button. When he or she moves the cursor over the letter's text, alternate phrases pop up that may be selected by clicking. The visitor may also insert a new word or phrase. Clicking the "Instant Rewrite" button causes the letter to rewrite itself automatically into one of the vast number of combinations.

BrightText™ can be configured to allow total control for the user while offering endless flexibility for the writer. This same technology is helping citizens compose messages to members of Congress about public issues.

Who Uses BrightText™?
BrightText™ enhances written communications in fields such as grassroots activism, corporate communications, education, human resources, law enforcement, multilingual translation, and customer relationship management. It is also used for email and direct mail marketing. A consumer website has been created to assist people with personal and professional letter-writing: www.fabutext.com.

"While the technology has many uses, we're particularly excited that BrightText™ is being used as a tool to help people register and vote," said David Wolpe, CEO of ContextIT. " Our partnership with Youth Service America encourages young people to become more proactive and involved. It's both easy to use and fun, and people love feeling good about what they write."

About BrightText™
BrightText™ allows people to change text, tone and meaning at the touch of a button. For more information, visit www.contextit.com.

About ContextIT
ContextIT is an information technology company specializing in cutting-edge tools that help people and organizations shape and communicate their ideas. For more information please visit www.contextit.com or call (603) 924-7800.

About Youth Service America
YOUTH SERVICE AMERICA (YSA) is a resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people in America, ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. ###