The Genius Blog

SignUpGenius.com Unveils Exciting New “iShock” Feature!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2011 - Charlotte, NC

The web was abuzz today when SignUpGenius.com, provider of free online sign up sheets, announced the release of a revolutionary new feature called "iShock."

The announcement was an unexpected surprise at the end of a packed special event held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Site co-founder Dan Rutledge was strutting the stage in a black turtle-neck as he reviewed the site's typical sign up features like "automated email reminders" and "themed templates" when he suddenly paused and revealed that there was "One More Thing" to talk about. The iShock feature was then introduced to a roar of thunderous applause from the sign up fanboys, with the exciting news quickly spreading via blogs and Twitter posts.

The ground-breaking new feature is described as the world's first "electric-shock volunteer motivation technology." "We've been listening to our users," Rutledge said. "One of the things that they've been telling us is that while SignUpGenius is absolutely the easiest way to organize volunteers through free customizable online sign up forms - there are inevitably a few real losers in their groups that still won't respond for simple volunteer tasks! Let's say a teacher is sending out a request to her parents that they bring in some school supplies for the classroom. With the revolutionary new iShock - any parent who does not sign up on the easy web sign up form within two minutes of receiving the email invite will be sent a high-voltage electric shock directly through his or her computer keyboard that will temporarily incapacitate the deadbeat and make that person think twice about being such a non-involved slacker."

Walt Mossberg from the Wall Street Journal immediately dubbed iShock "the new standard" for free online sign up technology. Said Mossberg, "We've seen Google dabble in 'odor deterrent' technology, and Microsoft claims to be developing a 'deafening audio burst' for sign up motivation - but no one, no one even comes even close to being able to knock potential users unconscious for being so lazy that they won't volunteer. SignUpGenius is years ahead, if not decades."

Kayla Hanson, Director of Children's Ministry at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, was one of the lucky few that were given a pre-release demo of the technology. "This changes everything," said Hanson. "We've coordinated nursery volunteers with ease using SignUpGenius. But there always seem to be one or two parents that give us the old line 'We don't feel called to children's ministry.' With iShock, it's such a blessing to know that these people will experience a searing pain that is not unlike childbirth or the Day of Judgment. I have a feeling they'll be volunteering quickly the next time we ask."

Despite almost unanimous rave reviews and a two-month backlog of users that want to use the new feature, a few skeptics remain. Molly Wood, tech writer at Cnet.com, was livid that the technology left out some key functionality. "Sure, SignUpGenius can put out the sexy tech," she said, "but they don't give a flip about what users actually want. Can you customize the voltage of the shock? Are you able to choose how long your users will lose feeling in their outer extremities? Can you do wireless sharing of the electricity so that the spouses will simultaneously experience the mind-numbing seizures? No! It's just another one-size-fits-all solution from a company that has millions of people following like sheep because of their hip marketing."

Immediately following the announcement, the stock price of SignUpGenius.com went up nearly 45 points in early morning trading, and large gains were also made by most of the major utility companies like Duke Energy and American Electrical Power. "We feel like we've reinvented the sign up... again," said SignUpGenius co-founder Dan Rutledge. "It's just one more way that we're working to revolutionize volunteer sign ups for home, school, church, and sports teams all over the country. It's our hope that this new technology will spur an unprecedented spirit of volunteerism throughout the world, or at the very least provide a boost in revenue for local burn centers."

SignUpGenius Inks Professional Sports Sponsorship Deal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 1, 2010 – Charlotte, NC. 

A media frenzy descended on Charlotte, NC today when site co-founder Dan Rutledge revealed during a sweeping press conference that SignUpGenius.com has been chosen as the “official free online sign up thing” for the professional sport of full-contact women’s croquet.

“This is a huge moment for us,” Rutledge said. “We’ve been longtime supporters of the NWFCCL (National Women’s Full-Contact Croquet League), and we appreciate the leadership and commitment to excellence that the league brings to the world of competitive sports. We feel like this is a marriage of two iconic brands. Full-contact women’s croquet is insanely popular with youth and adults alike – and just the kind of organization we want to partner with.”

Croquet Commissioner Megan Vespa was on hand in Charlotte to reveal the new league jerseys that sport the SignUpGenius logo and quickly waved off the suggestion that the league was “selling out.” Said Vespa: “There are certain companies that bring a whole new level to corporate sponsorship. We looked at all the biggies: Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and that company that makes the Chia-pet. But NO ONE offered the kind of exposure and the free customizable sign up forms that this company brings. It just made sense.”

The deal was seen as a great publicity move for the NWFCCL, which has struggled recently with criticism that the popular sport is “too rough” and “barbaric.” As recently as March, former National League All-Star Pam French was flagged for a flagrant foul that nearly cost her team a spot in the playoffs when she forcefully used her mallet to send opposing player Tammy Medders sprawling face-first into a wicket.

“Yeah, it’s rough. But this is how the games is played,” said French afterwards. “If she can’t take the heat, then turn off the crock-pot.”

Croquet Superstar Myrtle Harlacher waves to fans at the SignUpGenius press conference.

Sue Flannery, head of the sports watchdog group Play Fair, thinks that incidents like this send the wrong message to children. “A lot of our girls look up to these women. Let’s face it… these players have the perfect hair, the rippling muscles, the mallets… they are role models whether they think so or not.”

Commissioner Megan Vespa stressed that the partnership with SignUpGenius demonstrates that the women playing full-contact croquet are more than just “supermodels whacking a ball through hoops.” “The partnership with SignUpGenius shows that our athletes are intelligent too,” said Vespa. “Our women can do more than score a double-bank while holding off an opposing player with a stiff-arm… they can also plan and organize their school, home, and church activities for free using the latest technological tools.”

Angela Sluder, manager of the league-leading Arizona DeathSmackers, agrees. “The truth is, I already use SignUpGenius all the time for our team. By creating a free online sign up sheet, I can easily organize which of the girls will volunteer to bring the after-game steroid-enhanced protein shakes. The automatic email reminders mean that I no longer have to throw anyone into a locker to remind them to do their duty.”

By sponsoring the NWFCCL, SignUpGenius hopes to ride the wave of public excitement that has swelled since the “Big Hoop” playoff tournament was broadcast by CW affiliate WDUD in Beaver Creek, Montana. According to inside sources, super-agent Jack Lugar brokered the sponsorship deal which involves a web campaign, uniform sponsorship, and a 4H parade in Clyde Park, Minnesota. The sponsorship deal is believed to be an exclusive annual contract in the “low three figures.”

 Follow Dan Rutledge on Twitter

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