The Business Awards for Wales are an initiative of the IWA and the Western Mail, in association with PwC
A windows business, a firm of chartered accountants and a business offering coasteering are vying to take the Creative Marketing prize at the IWA Western Mail 2011 Business Awards.
Windows and conservatories company Nolan uPVC, chartered accountants UHY Peacheys and Celtic Quest Coasteering have all been named as finalists for the category which is sponsored by Orchard.
The category recognises the importance of successful marketing campaigns. In their decision the judges will have considered the goal and achievements of the campaign and the finalists needed to demonstrate concrete examples of success.
Celtic Quest Coasteering, based in Haverfordwest, was named as a finalist for a campaign to drive customers to its website (www.celticquestcoasteering.com).
Realising that potential clients tended to be internet-savvy, the company has developed its online brand through the use of blogs, Facebook and posting pictures and videos on Flickr and YouTube respectively.
The company has also featured on Channel 5’s Hotel Inspector and one of its key sales promotions was a Dare Your Dad Father’s Day promotion when fathers went free.
Carmarthen-based Nolan has run a marketing campaign featuring its Nolan Panda and the “Not made in China, made in Wales” strapline.
The company created a competition run via Facebook and Twitter in which visitors were able to watch a video and work out the answer to the question “Who lives in a panda costume like this?”
The competition received more than 1,500 entries and led to a substantial increase in traffic to the company’s website and increased sales leads.
Newport-based UHY Peacheys earned its finalist place as a result of its singing accountant campaign.
The firm ran a budget breakfast for an invited audience at the Celtic manor the morning after the Chancellor’s speech. It created a video of partner Steve Theaker who wrote and performed a song about the budget.
The video was uploaded onto YouTube and generated more than 2,500 views and increased interest in the business.
Wyn Innes, chief executive of the Orchard Media and Events Group, congratulated all three finalists:
“As a communications business who pride ourselves on our creativity, quality and integrity, we are proud to sponsor the Creative Marketing Award in the IWA/Western Mail Business Awards, and to recognise excellence in the work that comes out of Wales. It is so important that we acknowledge and reward high standards in communications and throughout Welsh business, as our companies strive to compete in an international market. Creativity is key to success, and we are therefore thrilled to support this award.”
