To use this feature, SitePal says users have to create a speaking avatar and choose the email function within the publishing wizard. Email addresses are then uploaded, with one click, using a lead list from either Yahoo, Gmail, AOL or MSN. If the user chooses to send an HTML version, SitePal offers a series of templates for authoring the email as well. Once delivered, statistics like open rates and number of times viewed are made available through an online reporting tool.

"Talking avatars are a proven and effective way of driving conversions and higher sales and adding an email feature was a natural and important extension of the SitePal application," says Adi Sideman, CEO of Oddcast. "One of the key elements in getting people to click beyond an email and onto your site is a campaign's ability to engage the consumer and get them to take action. Talking characters drive higher response and conversion rates because they are dynamic and help to differentiate email marketing campaigns beyond simple, static text."

SitePal says in the near future it will give users the ability to upload their own custom-branded templates into the wizard and enable users to insert their speaking avatar image into their email signatures. Access to email lists through Microsoft Outlook and other major CRM platforms will be added as well.

Uplinkearth recently began offering SitePal talking avatars.