TROY, Mich., April 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Troy, Michigan-based Michael Flora & Associates has been nominated for the prestigious Webby Award and Webby People's Voice Award. The nominations recognize the design of the web site www.DontbeBob.com for agency client Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM).
www.DontbeBob.com was created to help increase online sales of BCBSM's Young Adult Blue, a health insurance program for individuals 18 to 30 years old. The site went live in October 2006 and was refreshed in mid-2007 adding the "Don't be Bob" video game. "A lot of young people don't see health insurance as a priority; they think they're invincible. Our job was to draw attention to the need for health insurance and the perfect product to meet that need, all the while leveraging the communications medium they rely on most and it worked. Enrollments in Young Adult Blue have increased five hundred percent since we started the campaign," said Tom Brzezina, President, Michael Flora & Associates.
Established in 1996 by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, The Webby Awards have been hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times.
Only five entries, including Michael Flora & Associates, have been nominated in the insurance category for the 12th Annual Webby Awards. "The Webby Awards honor the outstanding websites that are setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Michael Flora's Webby Award nomination is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of its creators."
The judges from The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences will determine the winner of The Webby Award. For The Webby People's Voice Award, online fans have until May 1 to cast their votes for Michael Flora & Associates at http://pv.webbyawards.com. Winners will be announced on May 6 and honored at The Webby Awards gala in New York City on June 10.
The 'Don't be Bob' web site was part of a larger promotional campaign by Michael Flora & Associates, which included radio spots and collateral material like the "Don't be Bob" t-shirts. The Detroit Free Press recognized 'Bob' t-shirts as the hottest swag (giveaway) last summer. www.dontbebob.com also won a W3 Award from the International Academy of the Visual Arts this year.
Mike Flora founded the Michael Flora & Associates advertising agency in 1979. Clients have ranged from multi-billion dollar national corporations to local start-ups in financial services, health care, high tech, food services, media, retail, sports, automotive, industrial and nonprofit. Over the years, the agency has received 200 awards for creativity and project execution on behalf of its clients.