Looking for ways to stand out in a sea of e-mail promotions? A Web-based service called Movable Ink offers several apps that can jazz up e-mails with real-time content. On the Movable Ink site, you can create a countdown timer to encourage customers to take action during a sale. Then, simply copy and paste the provided HTML code into the body of an e-mail. You can also add live posts from your company’s Twitter feed or include a map pinpointing your business. When people open the e-mail, the map will be centered on their current location.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/201112/a-fresh-approach-to-e-mail-marketing-movable-ink.html