NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Financial Communications, a division of McGraw-Hill Professional and a leading provider of content-driven marketing and communications solutions for financial service firms, today announced the launch of Jasper, a digital communications tool for marketing professionals. Now, marketers can publish multi-channel newsletters in a matter of minutes, not days; and they can execute internally, without further taxing IT resources. Newsletter elements include an HTML or text email, a microsite, a mobile-friendly view of the microsite, a downloadable PDF, an RSS feed, and social networking links.

This innovative productivity tool complements existing Web sites and marketing processes, making it easy-to-use for staff and offering a seamless experience for the audience. With Jasper, marketing professionals log in to an online platform where they can:

  --  Customize a template with a logo, imagery, colors, and more.
  --  Access an extensive library of FINRA-reviewed articles -- or upload
      their own content and proprietary research.
  --  Automatically generate a micro site with a strong call to action.
  --  Add disclaimers for compliance purposes.
  --  Preview prior to publishing.
  --  Integrate with existing contact management/email delivery systems.
  --  Track usage metrics and run reports.

Jasper allows the user to send on any schedule and offers the flexibility to add images, video, and links. The FC account team works with clients to set up the tool and provides on-boarding training. Also, clients may elect to add optional services such as professional project management, custom design, editorial content selection, email delivery services, and more.

"This is a great time to leverage multi-channel communication strategies to build your business," said Larry McQuaid, vice president and general manager, Financial Communications. "Clients have a heightened interest in their financial matters -- and this tool makes it easy to engage and educate your targeted audience."

Jasper is the latest addition to an extensive portfolio of productivity tools to help extend internal marketing resources. Notable products include EditAccess, ChartSource, and Plan On Demand.

To learn more or request pricing information, email infofc@standardandpoors.com or call 800.326.7697.

About the Name

Jasper is defined as "a compact, opaque, cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, usually colored red: often used in decorative carvings," according to Dictionary.com. The name was selected for its originality and to symbolize a "gem" for marketing professionals.

About Financial Communications

Financial Communications is a leading provider of custom and customizable marketing and communication solutions for financial service firms. The company brings together relevant content, flexible design, and editorial expertise to create results-driven solutions for clients. As a division of McGraw-Hill Professional, it leverages world-class content and data from Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, and more. Additional information is available at http://fc.standardandpoors.com/.

McGraw-Hill Professional is a leading global provider of print and electronic content and services for the business, technical, and medical communities. Its offerings include reference and certification books for all professional and educational disciplines and online solutions on business and financial, medical and health, engineering, and scientific topics. For more information, visit http://www.mhprofessional.com/.

McGraw-Hill Professional is a unit of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) . Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information service provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education, and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

CONTACT: Lydia Rinaldi of McGraw-Hill, +1-212-904-5393,
lydia_rinaldi@mcgraw-hill.com