Chicago, IL, Aug. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ifbyphone, the leader in voice-based marketing automation, today announced it has been ranked No. 249 on Inc. magazine's 31st annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The comprehensive list represents the most important segment of the economy--America's independent entrepreneurs. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Intuit, Jamba Juice, Zipcar, Clif Bar, Vizio, Oracle, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500|5000.
"This ranking serves as validation of Ifbyphone's continued momentum and rapid growth," said Irv Shapiro, CEO of Ifbyphone. "We are honored to be named to the Inc. 500 list alongside so many other influential entrepreneurs and industry leaders."
Ifbyphone has defined the voice-based marketing automation space, which focuses on managing, measuring and automating sales and service calls. The Ifbyphone platform serves more than 3,500 customers and sales have increased 1,442 percent in the past three years as the company continues to be an innovative leader in the SaaS technology industry.
Voice-based marketing automation is a rapidly growing technology category, with B2B marketers spending $325 million on marketing automation in 2011, a 50 percent increase over 2010.
"Our Inc. 500 ranking not only confirms Ifbyphone's position as a SaaS technology leader, but points to the growing importance of voice-based marketing automation in the B2B space," said Shapiro. "Marketers increasingly recognize the significance of measuring and managing direct customer interaction to have complete data for decision making."
The 2012 Inc. 500, unveiled in the September issue of Inc. is the most competitive crop in the list's history. To make the cut, companies had to achieve a staggering minimum of 770 percent in sales growth. The Inc. 500' s aggregate revenue is $15.7 billion, with a median three-year growth of 1,431 percent. The companies on this year's Inc. 500 employ more than 48,000 people and generated over 40,000 jobs in the past three years.
"Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500|5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs, and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is," said Inc. magazine editor Eric Schurenberg.
The Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony will take place October 3-5, 2011, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference brings together members of the Inc. community, both a new class of Inc. 500|5000 honorees and the list's alumni, for three days of powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration.
Complete results of the Inc. 500|5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/500.
About Inc.
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About Ifbyphone®
Ifbyphone is the leading voice-based marketing automation platform that manages, measures and automates sales and service calls -- including ad tracking, lead distribution, hosted IVR, and voice broadcasting. The Ifbyphone suite is a set of software-as-a-service applications implemented easily across an organization to drive sales and improve customer interactions. Companies of all sizes and across all industries use the Ifbyphone platform, including direct response, health care, real estate, home services, and a variety of marketing applications.