External events are how programs and campaigns in Emarsys can be linked to external triggers. They can be associated with actions outside Emarsys, and can then be used to add contacts to an automated program or trigger mobile or email campaigns to them.
Contents:
Creating an external event
You can create an external event in the following ways:
- Via the Admin menu, External Events.
- By using the Creating an external event API endpoint.
- Via the Triggered Email interface.

You create the external event by simply giving it a name. Emarsys then assigns it an ID which you can retrieve using the Querying Available External Events endpoint.
Renaming an external event
Using external events in the Automation Center
To add contacts to an automated program via an external event, simply create a program with the entry point External Event and select the appropriate event from the list.
When the program is launched, all contacts who interact with the trigger associated with this event will automatically be added to the program.
If you include external data (such as purchase details) in the external event API call, this data will be stored by Emarsys while the contact is in the program, and can be used to personalize subsequent emails.
Using external events with the API
The Emarsys API has the following endpoints for managing external events:
Using external events with third-party integrations
If you are using one of the Emarsys integrations, your external events will be available for selection in the integration platform, usually when you are setting up your transactional email campaigns.