The Data Activation connector for Mailchimp allows you to seamlessly integrate your customer data with Mailchimp's email marketing platform, enabling personalized and automated campaigns that deliver impactful results. This integration bridges your data insights with Mailchimp's communication tools to create meaningful customer engagements.
The server-to-server integration allows you to send emails to your customers using an MD5 hash of their email addresses. Whenever profiles enter an audience or are modified, the Data Activation automatically sends them to Mailchimp and updates their "MergeFields" using a batch method.
Important: The Data Activation doesn't trigger email messages directly. It updates the MergeFields of user lists. In Mailchimp, you need to create a campaign based on the list(s) connected to the Data Activation to send email messages.
Here's how this integration enhances your marketing efforts:
Hyper-personalized email campaigns: Use rich customer data to segment your audience and send targeted email campaigns that resonate with individual preferences and behaviors.
Dynamic data syncing: Ensure your customer lists in Mailchimp are always up to date by syncing real-time data, reducing manual updates and improving accuracy.
Automated workflows: Streamline email automation by triggering campaigns in Mailchimp based on real-time events or customer behaviors.
Enhanced customer retention: Use insights to craft retention strategies through personalized follow-ups, loyalty campaigns, and win-back emails.
Unified cross-channel strategy: Ensure consistent messaging across all touchpoints by integrating Mailchimp's email capabilities with other marketing channels.
Improved campaign ROI: Drive higher open rates, click-through rates, and conversions by targeting the right audience with relevant and timely email content.
Destination connector overview
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Platform type | Email Service Provider |
PartnerType Slot | 8000 |
Cookie Sync | No |
Connecting protocol | REST |
Real-time data sync | No (batch every 20 minutes or 500 identifiers) |
Syncs Data On | Profile Added or Modified |
Allowed setting multiple connectors | No |
Before you begin
Before configuring Data Activation for Mailchimp, you have to make sure you have the following details ready on the Mailchimp side:
MD5 hashed email addresses required: Before hashing, trim leading and trailing whitespace and convert all characters to lowercase. Store these email addresses under partner type 8000.
Mailchimp contacts database: Must be up-to-date (contain raw email and email MD5 hash of all customers you plan to send emails to) before sending requests to the Mailchimp Marketing API.
Mailchimp list: The Mailchimp list is where you store and manage all your contacts.
Get your Mailchimp API key
Log in to Mailchimp and go to your account settings.
Go to Extras → API keys → Create A Key.
Once created, you'll see a new record.
Copy this API key for use in Data Activation.
Configure data fields
If you want to send variables to Mailchimp, you can use data from the Data Activation to fill "audience fields". Make sure you name the profileVar the same as the audience field in Mailchimp:
Data Activation: "MYTEST"
Mailchimp: "MYTEST"
In Data Activation, this needs to be filled in the “Store in variables” field in journey orchestration and audience creation.
In Mailchimp, ensure that you use the "name" under the column "Put this tag in your contents". For sending data, only this name in capitals works. "MERGE1" or "MERGE2" don't work when sending data. In this example, you would need to put “MYTEST” as a new audience field
Sending a new value for an already subscribed user updates the values.
Instructions
Step 1: Configure destination
On the Data Activation platform, select Connectors in the left-side navigation bar.
Select Server to Server and click New Connector.
Select Mailchimp
The form asks for the API key. The connector verifies the validity of the API key when creating the connector. If it doesn't match, you'll see an error and won't be able to create the connector.
Step 2: Add the destination connector to an audience or journey
In both Journeys and Audiences, you can use the Mailchimp connector and select an existing list within Mailchimp. If you don't see any list, first go to Mailchimp to create one.