Bigfoot International
| Company type | Holding company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software, Email communications, Marketing automation |
| Predecessor | Bigfoot.com |
| Founded | 1997 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Lenny Barshack, James Hoffman |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; assets divided and sold |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Lenny Barshack (Founder), James Hoffman (Founder) |
| Products | Email services, Marketing automation software, Customer engagement tools |
Bigfoot International, Inc. was a holding company headquartered in New York City that specialized in developing software for email communications, marketing automation, and customer engagement during the dot-com era. Established in 1997 by Lenny Barshack and James Hoffman, the company originated from Bigfoot.com, which initially offered free email services and a Web directory. The enterprise consisted of three main divisions: Bigfoot.com, Bigfoot Interactive, and Neoplanet, Inc., before it ceased operations in 2000.
History
In 1997, Bigfoot transformed into a holding company after receiving an investment of approximately $11 million from Acxiom Corporation to build E-Mail Campaign Management (ECM) solutions, following the success of their Acxiom Preferred Mail partnership. This led to the establishment of Bigfoot Interactive in New York City to focus on ECM product development.
By 1999, Bigfoot International spun off its web incubation-focused division as Neoplanet, Inc., relocating its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona.
Following the collapse of the dot-com market, the company’s assets were divided and sold.
Bigfoot.com
Bigfoot.com was launched in 1995 by ex-Wall Street professional Lenny Barshack and Jim Hoffman, an international PC retailer, initially as an email directory service. They secured roughly $3 million in funding from investors such as Sam Zell, Herb Allen, and Peter Angelos. Its primary competitor was sled.com, which was later acquired by Yahoo!.
Operating under Bigfoot Partners L.P., the company broadened its services to include a white pages directory alongside a free email platform. Recognizing the frequent changes in users' email addresses, it introduced the ad-supported "Bigfoot for life" email forwarding service in June 1996, which redirected messages to users’ updated email accounts.
By 1997, Bigfoot incorporated premium features such as email archiving, spam filtering, automated reminders for significant dates, an auto-responder for dormant accounts, and Bigfoot Consolidator for combining multiple inboxes. In January 1998, it launched Bigfoot PermaWeb, a complimentary URL redirection tool. The company formed partnerships with notable organizations including BellSouth, Hotmail, McAfee, and Microsoft.
In 1999, Bigfoot International began seeking buyers for Bigfoot.com. The platform was acquired in 2000 by entrepreneur Michael Gleissner, who developed it into a substantial international enterprise centered on film and fashion markets in Asia under Bigfoot Entertainment. Email and directory services continued through Bigfoot Communications until the discontinuation of "Bigfoot for life" in 2016.
Bigfoot Interactive
Bigfoot Interactive concentrated on delivering ROI-driven email marketing campaigns based on permission-based opt-in strategies. Its clientele included prominent companies such as Eddie Bauer, IBM, 3Com, The Washington Post/Newsweek Interactive, and Omaha Steaks.
In 2000, it expanded operations into Japan by establishing Bigfoot Japan Corp., financed by GLQ Entrepia, a subsidiary of Nissho Iwai.
The following year, Bigfoot merged with Expression Engines to unify their email marketing technologies under a New York–based holding entity. Leadership roles were assigned with Fred Wilson as chairman, Al DiGuido as CEO, and Jim Hoffman as CSO.
In 2005, Epsilon—an Alliance Data company—acquired Bigfoot Interactive for about $120 million.
Neoplanet, Inc.
In 1997, Bigfoot International introduced Neoplanet, a customizable web browser, and subsequently established Neoplanet, Inc. in January 1999. The new company secured $18 million in venture funding from Network Associates Venture Fund, Bear Stearns, and Venture Frogs.
Neoplanet specialized in creating branded browsers tailored for prominent clients such as Universal Studios, Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, USA Networks, MTV, Lord of the Rings, TV Guide, Hewlett Packard, Carolina Hurricanes, and Phoenix Coyotes.
The company moved its headquarters to Tempe, Arizona in 2000 and completed a second financing round that raised $23 million from investors including Integral Capital, J & W Seligman, Constellation Ventures, Broadview, among others.
Following the dot-com bubble burst, Neoplanet transitioned its focus from branded browsers to developing CRM software aimed at enhancing profitability. During this period, Warren Adelman succeeded Drew Cohen as CEO.
In August 2001, Neoplanet unveiled the Viassary software suite designed to customize user interactions and improve client communications. Notable users of this technology included Compaq, HP, and Microsoft.
External links
- 1997 establishments in New York City
- 2001 establishments in New York City
- Companies based in New York City
- Software companies established in 1997
- Software companies disestablished in 2000
- Defunct software companies of the United States
- Defunct computer companies based in New York (state)
- Holding companies based in New York City
- Web 1.0