Beyond Interactive Partners With Comet Systems, @once.com

Interactive agency Beyond Interactive established partnerships with Comet Systems and @once.com, a permission marketing company, to broaden the array of services available for client campaigns.

Beyond Interactive said it will integrate Comet Systems’ Comet Cursors, a free plug-in, into many client campaigns. After a one-time five-second download, Comet Cursors change the appearance of a Web surfer’s cursor from the traditional arrow or hand symbol to any image or animation.

“We’re eager to see how the cursors affect responses in brand perception, click-through rates and visitor conversion rates”, said Jonn Behrman, CEO of Beyond Interactive. “The cursors are exciting because they provide an extra visual surprise when a user sees an ad.”

Petstore.com will be Beyond’s first client to integrate Comet Systems’ cursors into a campaign.

San Francisco-based @once.com will provide Beyond Interactive its permission marketing capabilities. @once.com specializes in interactive direct marketing, focusing on the analysis, segmentation and profiling of customer data to drive targeted Web-based advertising and marketing promotions. Financial details of the partnerships were not disclosed.