BOSTON – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), Cox Communications and NYLO Hotels are among the winners in the Web Marketing Association’s 2009 Internet Advertising Competition.
The IAC, now in its 13th year, was established to recognize outstanding achievement in Internet advertising. Entries are evaluated by judges drawn from the field, based on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting and use of the medium.
• New York-based Verizon shared Best of Show Website and Best Telecommunication Website honors with the NFL Network and CommuniFx for their Verizon and NFL Network online demo.
• Cox took fpir honors, including two best-of-industry awards in the Internet service provider (ISP) category:
Best Internet Service Provider Rich Media Online Campaign, went to the Save the World campaign designed by Red Door Interactive for Cox Communications. “In an industry known for mudslinging, Cox Communications stands out by being positive,” Red Door wrote.
COXnet AdStudio – part of COXnet, a division that provides print and online support for Cox Newspapers Inc. – took Best Advertising Rich Media Online Ad for its Halloween “Headless Horseman Challenge,” while its site for AdKitchen was ranked among the IAC’s outstanding Web sites for 2009.
Another best-of-industry award went to designer 360i for its Cox Newspapers: Access Atlanta Banners. The promotion, publicizing the online portal of Cox Newspapers’ flagship Atlanta Journal-Constitution took Best Newspaper Rich Media Online Campaign.
• Best-of-industry honors for Best Hotel and Lodging Websites went to Milestone Internet Marketing Inc. for its www.NYLOhotels.com, which showcases the Atlanta-based hotel chain and its loft-style accommodations – including the NYLO Providence/Warwick, set in the refurbished Pontiac Mill at 400 Knight St., Warwick. (READ MORE)
“The site sets a new standard for search-engine optimization (SEO) in the lodging industry,” Patrick O’Neil, president of NYLO Hotels, said in a statement today. “Despite the challenging economy, NYLO is enjoying big gains in Web-generated revenue.”
Since the site went live in late January, NYLO has seen page views rise 800 percent, the number of online visitors increase 60 percent and online reservations grow 35 percent. “Every page is focused on a distinct market segment,” added Benu Aggarwal, Milestone’s president. “In each NYLO market, for example, the site is designed to come up in searches for deals and packages as well as for hotels near airports, businesses, sports stadiums, shopping, dining, museums and more.”
The site gives franchisees the ability to “leverage NYLO’s commanding online presence,” O’Neil added. “They also get the benefit of the brand’s state-of-the-art marketing and reservation systems.”
The Web Marketing Association, founded in Boston in 1997, produces the annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) to honor excellence in online advertising, recognize those responsible and showcase the best Internet advertising. Additional information, including this year’s winners, is available at www.WebMarketingAssociation.org and www.AdvertisingCompetition.org/iac.
To learn more about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortune 500 company Cox Enterprises, go to www.cox.com. For information about Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), a Dow 30 company that delivers broadband and other communications services visit www.verizon.com.
