Your departments can operate independently with a centralized administrative overview and maintain a separate relationship with contacts.
Benefits of using sub-accounts
Subscriptions and relationship with contacts
Lists are completely separated
Each subaccount has their own set of subscription options that are shown on the subscription preferences page (the "unsubscribe" page)
A contact unsubscribing from one account doesn't affect subscription of the same contact in other accounts.
This way subaccounts can maintain their own, separate relationships with contacts
Account structure and data sharing
Sub-accounts are operated independently without data sharing. The only exception with sharing is templates that can optionally be shared across sub-accounts to help with branding
Administration
Individual user logins can be assigned to access only a single sub-account
Admin users can access all sub-accounts
Cost
Cheaper than opening multiple stand-alone accounts
Data sharing
With the exception of template sharing, which is optional, there is no data sharing of any kind between sub-accounts: messages, reports, contact lists, subscriptions, account settings, etc. in every sub-accounts are independent of other sub-accounts.
Unsubscribes
If the same contact exists in more than one sub-account and they unsubscribe in one of the accounts they will remain subscribed in all other accounts.
User logins
Each sub-account can have their own users who can only access their designated sub-account. Administrators can access all sub-accounts.
Read more about user roles and permissions.
Pricing
In addition to contact based and email sending based fees there is an extra cost for sub-accounts. Your first or primary account is included with every billing plan. There is a monthly fee per sub-account. View the pricing page for details.
Number of sub-accounts under one main account
You can maintain unlimited sub-accounts.
Creating a new subaccount
You can manage subaccounts under the Accounts navigation item.
Only administrators have access to create new sub-accounts.
If you aren't an administrator, the users list page will show you the name and contact details of your administrator(s). Contact them to have them grant you additional permissions.