Does MailChimp Support the Concept of a "Reflector Address"?

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Bryce Mickler

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Dec 11, 2009, 9:52:20 PM12/11/09
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Hi all,

Is it possible, using MailChimp's API, to dynamically set up a mailing
list whereby the mailing list owner can push out an email to all
subscribed members by sending the message to a special "reflector
email address" as opposed to constructing an email campaign via the
web? For the purposes of this question, the term "reflector email
address" is defined in more detail here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list
at the end of the opening paragraph.

I'm developing a web application and am considering integrating
MailChimp's functionality via the API. I've looked through some of
the documentation and read about MailChimp's services on the site and
from what I'm seeing, MailChimp's offerings seem more oriented towards
marketing and analytics than this type of mailing list stuff.

I might be totally wrong on that, but I want to know if this is even
possible before I go much further.

Here's the idea: my application involves setting up a temporary web
page and mailing list for an event (say an office Christmas party).
In addition, a unique email address would be crated for that event,
something like christmas_...@example.com, as a "reflector
address". Folks can RSVP for the Christmas party on the event's
temporary web page and their email address will be added to the
event's mailing list. Should an update need to go out to all of those
attending the event, the event creator (or anyone, for that matter)
can quickly send a message to all of those on the mailing list by
sending an email to the "reflector address"
christmas_...@example.com. Very similar concept to
http://www.mobaganda.com/ (of course my take on the problem will be
executed a bit differently)

If this is not possible through MailChimp, could anyone make any
recommendations for another application that might be able to do this
(preferably written in PHP).

Thanks,

Bryce

jesse

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Dec 12, 2009, 11:07:47 AM12/12/09
to MailChimp API Discuss
No, we don't. If you setup all this reflector stuff on your site,
though, you could accomplish creating and sending via us, though.


jesse

On Dec 11, 9:52 pm, Bryce Mickler <br...@dublinphp.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Is it possible, using MailChimp's API, to dynamically set up a mailing
> list whereby the mailing list owner can push out an email to all
> subscribed members by sending the message to a special "reflector
> email address" as opposed to constructing an email campaign via the
> web?  For the purposes of this question, the term "reflector email
> address" is defined in more detail here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list
> at the end of the opening paragraph.
>
> I'm developing a web application and am considering integrating
> MailChimp's functionality via the API.  I've looked through some of
> the documentation and read about MailChimp's services on the site and
> from what I'm seeing, MailChimp's offerings seem more oriented towards
> marketing and analytics than this type of mailing list stuff.
>
> I might be totally wrong on that, but I want to know if this is even
> possible before I go much further.
>
> Here's the idea:  my application involves setting up a temporary web
> page and mailing list for an event (say an office Christmas party).
> In addition, a unique email address would be crated for that event,
> something like  christmas_party_2...@example.com, as a "reflector
> address".  Folks can RSVP for the Christmas party on the event's
> temporary web page and their email address will be added to the
> event's mailing list.  Should an update need to go out to all of those
> attending the event, the event creator (or anyone, for that matter)
> can quickly send a message to all of those on the mailing list by
> sending an email to the "reflector address"
> christmas_party_2...@example.com.  Very similar concept tohttp://www.mobaganda.com/(of course my take on the problem will be

Bryce Mickler

unread,
Dec 12, 2009, 10:26:44 PM12/12/09
to MailChimp API Discuss
Thanks Jesse,

I think I've found another way of accomplishing my goal. I can do
this by using cPanel's email account create/delete API,
PEAR::MAIL_IMAP, and a chron script. The only down side to this is
that, for now, it will only work with hosts that run cPanel. At least
it's a start.

Again, thanks!

Bryce
> > christmas_party_2...@example.com.  Very similar concept tohttp://www.mobaganda.com/(ofcourse my take on the problem will be
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