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Websites Continue to Grow In Importance
Semaphore was one of the first marketing firms in the Midlands to offer Internet development services. The web was smaller then, and some Semaphore clients went so far as to threaten to fire the firm if we even mentioned developing a website as a tool in their marketing mix.
The situation could not be any more different today. Consider these two interesting facts:
Fact 1) In a recent article, Alan Destribats of J. D. Power and Associates says, "The leading utilities now experience more customer contacts via their Web site than by telephone." The same article also includes this point: "While only 10 percent of residential customers in 2003 reported visiting their utilities Web site at least once in the previous 12 months, that number has more than doubled (22%) in 2007."
Fact 2) Two Semaphore clients, Laurens County Health Care System (LCHCS) and PHT Services, Ltd. (PHTS) recently redesigned their websites. Both also chose Semaphore to assist them in increasing awareness of the new sites and to drive visitors to them. LCHCS had Semaphore create postcards, an ad and a billboard for use in their service area. Semaphore created a media release list for PHTS and sent a press release about the new PHTS website to every group on it. Semaphore also designed a website postcard that PHTS sent to members of their target audiences.
Now let's think about these facts again. An electronic medium is becoming the main source of customer contact for at least a portion of one of the most universally patronized services in the modern world. Non-profits are creating websites as marketing communications tools - and using other marketing communications tools to promote them.
Still think a strong website isn't important? At Semaphore, we see these facts as additional reinforcement that websites are essential to the marketing mix, and often the linchpin of the entire marketing effort.
Santee Electric Cooperative Launches New Website
After a few years since its last website was designed, Santee Electric Cooperative (SEC) decided to stay ahead of the game by doing a complete redesign of their website at santee.org. The website already presented top-notch content, but SEC approached Semaphore to help make the website more functional and present the content in a more appealing way. In the new redesigned website, Semaphore has provided SEC with a robust content management system so that even the most novice computer users can maintain the website's content. By making it easier to edit content, the web site can be updated more frequently, benefiting their users and helping with SEC's search engine rankings.
A new design has been implemented to ensure that SEC looks like the technologically advanced utility provider that it is. The website also runs on very simple, easy-to-use navigation that supplies breadcrumbs so users can easily find their way back without ever needing to hit the back button on their browser. A Storm Center has also been placed within the content management system. The Storm Center application allows SEC to place emergency information on the home page at a moment's notice. The new content management system is also available online, so the website can be updated from any computer in the world that has Internet access.
Check out the sleek, redesigned site at santee.org.
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 Relationship Rewards Hits TV
Semaphore client State Credit Union began a new television ad campaign in late July promoting its Relationship Rewards program, one of the most competitive credit/debit reward programs in the industry. The ad, running in the Midlands and Pee Dee markets, uses cartoon style computer animation to promote the high level goods and services Relationship Rewards points can be exchanged for, and the ease of accumulating points under the program.
Semaphore Produces Touchstone Energy Features for USC and Clemson
The long-awaited 2007 football season has started for the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. And once again, Semaphore has produced "Touchstone Energy Teammate of the Week" features showcasing student-athletes from both schools.
Each week throughout the football season, Touchstone Energy will honor one student-athlete from Carolina and one from Clemson. Not only are the student-athletes honored on the field at the games, but they are also recognized in radio features during the game and television features during the coaches' shows on Sunday.
The honorees are not just football players, but student-athletes in men's and women's varsity sports such as volleyball, golf, tennis, and track and field. Many of these students have expressed gratitude at being recognized, because their sports often do not receive much publicity.
The features honor the student-athletes for exhibiting the Touchstone Energy value of commitment to community. The spots talk about the student-athletes' volunteer work and highlight several South Carolina electric cooperative programs.
Summer Hours Ended
Semaphore is no longer observing summer hours. We now open each day at 8:15 am and close at 5:15 pm, Monday through Friday. |
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We Suggest - LOCAL PRODUCE, SC SHRIMP, ALL-NATURAL MEATS, FREE-RANGE POULTRY: Farm Fresh, In Town at Saturday Morning Market
Columbia’s All-Local Farmers’ Market provides a place for shoppers to find an array of locally grown and made foods. The market operates year-round: Every 2nd Saturday at Gervais & Vine in The Vista, every 4th Saturday at Yo Burrito in Shandon, 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine.
The upcoming schedule includes:
October 13th: at Gervais & Vine on Gervais Street in The Vista
October 27th: at Yo Burrito on Devine Street in Shandon
November 10th: at Gervais & Vine on Gervais Street in The Vista
This market sells only products grown and made locally including organic produce, eggs, dairy, pork, beef and fresh South Carolina shrimp (in season). Market goers can also sit down to all-Carolina breakfasts made with ingredients selected from that morning’s market.
In addition to farm-fresh foods, the market also offers Anson Mills stone ground grits and oats, Carolina Gold rice, baked goods, sauces, honey, soaps and lotions, cut flowers and crepes cooked to order.
The market was launched in November 2005 and is run by the farmers with the help of volunteers. Anson Mills is a market sponsor.
Inquiries from local growers and producers interested in becoming market vendors are welcome. For market information, contact:
Amanda McClain, Volunteer Market Manager
(901) 581-0870 acmcclain@gmail.com
(Article used with permission from Columbia All-Local Farmers’ Market.)
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Semaphore is a full-service advertising, marketing, branding, public relations and Internet development firm.
Semaphore Inc.
828 Woodrow St
Columbia, SC, 29205
PH 803.799.6464
FX 803.254.5186
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