To do this, FSC created an informational and interactive website, keepPGHmoving.com, which gives the public an outlet to create and send messages to their state legislators. FSC also recently coordinated the press conference for the campaign’s launch and developed media kits, collateral pieces and messaging to display at the event. FSC will continue to publicize the initiative through ongoing PR efforts, producing viral videos and establishing a social media presence for keepPGHmoving.com.

A week into the launch, the grass-roots, community driven campaign has already proved successful. The website has received over 1,200 unique visitors and over 350 messages from the public have been sent to state legislators. The press conference announcing the campaign received coverage in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, WTAE Evening News, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, WDUQ and KDKA Evening News, among others. Check out KDKA’s coverage of the story  here

“FSC was very astute at understanding what it was we were trying to accomplish,” says Mike Edwards, CEO of the PDP. “We are very excited about the response we received so far about the campaign.”

After the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s denial of Pennsylvania’s request to toll I-80 this spring, PennDOT was left with a $472M hole in its budget, which resulted in a $47M operating shortfall for the Port Authority of Allegheny County. The PDP, recognizing the negative affects that this transportation crisis could have on the Downtown community and the state at large, decided to take action. The non-profit, comprised of business and community leaders, hopes that this advocacy campaign for action will strengthen the city, enhance its vitality and make it a better place for businesses to thrive.

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, web development, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and digital services. Now in its 15^th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Whirl Magazine, Transitions Optical and PPG Industries. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at fscmc.com.

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 FSC set out to position WHIRL not only as a leader in the local online magazine category, but to also be seen on the same playing field as some national publications. Since WHIRL Publishing issues multiple magazines, including WHIRL Magazine, WHIRL Weddings, WHIRL at Home and Edible Allegheny, FSC had to creatively and strategically fit four websites into one. FSC wanted to complement WHIRL’s sleek brand image with a fluid site that was easy and interesting for users to navigate.

“Even with so much content on the site, we wanted the user to have a seamless experience and get to the information they are interested in as quickly as possible,” says FSC Creative & Digital Director, Bryan Brunsell. “FSC developed WHIRLMagazine.com using WordPress since it has many built-in features and plugins that allow administrators to easily upload content and imagery. As a result, the site is more functional for users and easier for WHIRL staff to update regularly.”

FSC also improved many of the site’s existing features. On the home page, users are now met with five major stories in rotation, links to WHIRL’s social media pages and a reminder to bookmark the website on their mobile devices. Web stats for the site show that visitors are spending more time on the site than previously and engaging in more blog comments.

The site has been met with success among its customers and performs extremely well in Google search rankings, consistently ranking on the first page in magazine-related search results. WHIRL is also being recognized as the premier magazine website in the region by national advertising and agencies.

“Our readers have been very excited to explore the new site,” says Candace Curphey, Digital Media Director of WHIRL. It’s easier for users to navigate and there are some great new sections and features that are woven into the site design. The website has become our primary engagement vehicle with our customers online. We link out to friends with our Facebook widget, showcase events on our calendar, post blogs from our staff and guest bloggers and utilize other enhanced tools.”

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm sharing insight, knowledge and new ideas with our clients to help build their business. We focus on highly relevant creative solutions, marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, digital harmony and public relations. Now in its 15th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and PPG Industries. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com.

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Initially, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership approached FSC about creating a fun and cost-effective campaign to promote Downtown living. Working together, the team determined that coasters would be a great way to directly target young professionals who work Downtown and stay after
work for entertainment, but who are currently living in other areas of the City or in surrounding suburbs. The FSC team then went on to brainstorm a variety of eye-catching, yet informative, concepts and headlines to attract these day-time commuters to consider a move Downtown.

Coasters began arriving at your favorite Downtown Pittsburgh bars and restaurants in mid-July. You can currently spot them at eateries and bars in Market Square as well as Tambellini’s and Salonika Gyros. The PDP is hoping to continue to gain support from the local business community, and distribute more coasters to establishments throughout Downtown.

“The coaster campaign does a great job of reminding commuters that Downtown Pittsburgh is an exciting place to call home,” said Hollie Geitner, VP of Marketing and Communications for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “We’ve had a positive reaction from bar and restaurant owners about the coasters, and once they began using them, they quickly realized they needed a larger supply,” said Geitner. “It’s a fun and simple way to generate interest and attract current commuters and visitors to consider living Downtown.”

If you are interested in receiving coasters for your Downtown Pittsburgh restaurant or bar, please contact the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership by phone at (412) 566-4190 or by e-mail at PDP@DowntownPittsburgh.com.

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, web development, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and digital services. Now in its 15th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, Whirl Magazine and PPG Industries. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com

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Guided by input from Family Hospice, FSC created a dynamic, accessible and user-friendly website that conveys Family Hospice’s mission of providing compassionate care and setting the standard for future innovation of hospice and palliative care. On the new site, viewers can clearly understand the benefits of hospice care for their loved ones, the specific amenities and services offered by Family Hospice and the reasons why they are the leader and preferred hospice of choice in Western Pennsylvania.

FSC conducted a competitive analysis of creative material among other hospice facilities in the area, agreeing with Family Hospice to keep their existing logo, but recommended upgrading their branding by expanding its color palette to add an uplifting feel to the site. The new site also features original photography and videos as well as sections for upcoming events and a virtual tour of Family Hospice’s 12-room Inpatient Unit in Mt. Lebanon. In addition, FSC created the site with a user-friendly Content Management System so that Family Hospice staff can easily make updates themselves. Previously, specific web programmers and IT personnel had to make changes; making website updates a cumbersome process.

“This site holds a lot of program and time-sensitive information, so we wanted to be sure that Family Hospice could maintain and update their website internally; and the new Content Management System capabilities will allow them to do that,” says Regis Sabol, Integrated Marketing Director and Principal of FSC Marketing Communications. “Visitors to the site are able to see all of the initiatives and programs that Family Hospice and Palliative Care offers, and will learn something new each time they come back to the site.”

The site launched on June 14, 2010 and has already received over 1,000 visits. This early success will hopefully continue throughout all aspects of Family Hospice and Palliative Care, including an increase in patient-care and volunteer inquiries as well as a boost in donations for their resale shop, Heirlooms.    

“The website is a great upgrade for Family Hospice,” says Greg Jena, Public Relations Coordinator for Family Hospice and Palliative Care. “I know that families and referring physicians will utilize this very informative site to learn more about the wonderful care Family Hospice provides. I see our new website becoming not only a useful tool for them, but an integral part of our marketing efforts as well. In addition, we are very pleased with the fact that the site offers opportunities to donate, allowing supporters to contribute to our nonprofit organization and participate in special events, such as our upcoming Memorial Walk on October 10.”          

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, web development, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and medical marketing. Now in its 15th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Whirl Magazine and PPG Industries. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com

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FSC was tasked by the URA to develop a marketing solution that would help attract more residents to live in the City of Pittsburgh. Through conducting extensive market research among both residents and non-residents, FSC discovered that the defining characteristic of the city was its neighborhoods. Using this feedback, FSC developed the idea for PittsburghCityLiving.com, a website that would help newcomers to the city find their “perfect neighborhood match” through a fun and interactive quiz that matches lifestyle attributes to corresponding neighborhoods.  In addition, the website serves as a one-stop portal for existing information about city news, resources and images, as well as city-sponsored programs and loans that make urban living more appealing and affordable.

“The site does a great job of reflecting the city’s charm for those moving to Pittsburgh, while offering a chance for those already living here to discover new places to explore,” says FSC Marketing Communications Principal and Owner Edward Flaherty, III. “The site is similar to Wikipedia in that it encourages user contributions in order to keep the content fresh and relevant. In designing the site, we all agreed that no one knows these neighborhoods inside and out like the current residents, and we will rely on community participation to make this site a robust resource.”

To maintain PittsburghCityLiving.com, “Neighborhood Ambassadors” are volunteering to provide up-to-date information, news and images for their neighborhoods, as well as information about upcoming community events. As the website evolves, the URA and approved Ambassadors will continue to make updates to the site through a customized content management system developed by FSC that is user-friendly and intuitive. Future upgrades to the website under consideration include links to local realtor listings and the development of a social media campaign to expand the reach of the website.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl proudly debuted the site to city officials, local media and community residents at the website   launch event on May 17^th, which was held at the North Side Carnegie Library. In addition to significant launch day press coverage the website has received initial positive response from the community, with over 900,000 hits since its launch and more than 80 neighborhood ambassador requests.

“We are very pleased with the response thus far, and are excited to see how PittsburghCityLiving.com will evolve along with the City itself,” says Rob Stephany, Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. “We hope that anyone who is considering calling Pittsburgh their new home will look to this resource as a guide to all of the great things the City has to offer.”   

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, web development, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and medical marketing. Now in its 15th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Whirl Publishing, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and PPG Industries. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com

About The Urban Redevelopment Authority

The URA is Pittsburgh’s economic development agency that strives to expand the City’s tax base, create jobs, and improve the vitality of businesses and neighborhoods. Established in 1946, the URA was one of the first redevelopment agencies in Pennsylvania.

The City Living Initiative aims to increase awareness of and interest in city living to retain and attract residents to the City of Pittsburgh. Featured projects supported by the URA include: South Side Works (South Side), Glass Lofts (Garfield/Friendship), Federal Hill (Central Northside), and Bedford Hill Homes (Hill District).

For more information, call 412-255-6600 or visit us online at www.ura.org

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Port Authority’s TDP initiative will better connect the city’s neighborhoods through new types of service and reconfigured routes. FSC/Jones Worley will work to introduce the new routes to riders and educate the public on how to adapt to the new improvements. Port Authority awarded FSC/Jones Worley a multi-year contract that will begin immediately.

Over the next three years, the Port Authority will introduce several new phases of the TDP with the goal of making the Authority service simpler, faster and more efficient.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as the Port Authority’s marketing firm and believe that our partnership will benefit each and every rider, as well as attract new riders to our public transportation system,” stated Edward Flaherty, Marketing Director, FSC Marketing Communications.

For more information on the Transit Development Plan, visit tdp.portauthority.org.

About FSC/Jones Worley Transit Marketing
FSC/Jones Worley Transit Marketing LLC is a joint venture between FSC Marketing Communications, a Pittsburgh-based marketing agency and Jones Worley Design, a marketing agency based in Atlanta, GA. FSC/Jones Worley has a unique mix of capabilities and experience, including expertise in transit marketing, consumer advertising, public relations and a vast knowledge of the City of Pittsburgh. Previous experience includes Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit www.fsc-jonesworley.com.

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Based in Pittsburgh, PPG is a leading global supplier of coatings and fiber glass, products essential to the growing wind energy market. PPG provides advanced, innovative fiber glass and coatings technologies, as well as extensive global experience and support, to the wind energy market, helping to enhance the efficiency, performance and longevity of key wind turbine components.

FSC and PPG will partner to conduct customer research and develop a marketing strategy to meet the growing needs of the wind energy industry. FSC will conduct competitive market research and interviews of current and prospective wind energy customers, and develop a strategy based on customer feedback and expectations.

“We are excited to work with FSC during this time of growth in the wind energy market,” said Cheryl Richards, PPG global market manager, wind energy. “We believe that by working with FSC Marketing Communications, we will continue to be a leader in the industry by effectively communicating our strengths in current and future products and services.”

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About PPG

PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing, medical marketing and digital services. Now in its 15^th year, the agency’s account roster includes the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Fairmont Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Santinelli International. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com.

PITTSBURGH, PA –
FSC Marketing Communications, a full-service marketing communications, advertising and public relations agency, recently developed and launched a new website for Gentech, an IT employment provider based in Monroeville, PA.

FSC redesigned the website to reflect the new messaging and creative platform recently developed for Gentech. The site navigation was also updated and now easily directs both of Gentech’s target audiences, employers and job candidates, to distinct sections of the website to access relevant information.

FSC also developed new content for the site, including a section that highlights Gentech’s status as a women’s business enterprise (WBE), a news section and a page dedicated to Gen3, Gentech’s unique business process. To learn more about Gentech and see the new site, visit www.gentechpgh.com.

“As an IT employment provider, our website is an important marketing tool,” said Stephanie Verona, Gentech President. “We worked with FSC to develop a new site that truly reflects our company’s status as a leader in the field.”

About FSC Marketing Communications

FSC is an integrated marketing communications firm that specializes in developing ideas that build businesses through marketing strategy development, market research, account planning, advertising, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing, medical marketing and digital services. Now in its 14th year, the agency’s account roster includes Transitions Optical, UPMC, Heinz, PPG Industries, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Santinelli International. FSC is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

For more information, call 412-471-3700 or visit us online at www.fscmc.com.

“The automated fare collection system is a key component of our Connect ‘09 initiative and is designed to enhance our service by making it simpler, faster and more convenient for customers,” said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. “We look forward to working with FSC/Jones Worley, an agency with extensive experience in transit marketing and deep knowledge of the Pittsburgh region, to market this state-of-the-art fare collection system to our riders.”

Port Authority’s Connect ‘09 initiative will better connect the city’s neighborhoods through new types of service, reconfigured routes and smart card technology. FSC/Jones Worley will work primarily to introduce the new smart card technology to riders and educate the public on how to use the new fare collection system. The Port Authority awarded FSC/Jones Worley a multi-year contract that will begin in early 2010.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as the Port Authority’s marketing firm for the smart card initiative and believe that this technology will benefit each and every rider, as well as attract new riders to our public transportation system,” stated Edward Flaherty, Marketing Director, FSC Marketing Communications.

For more information on Connect ‘09, visit www.portauthority.org.

About FSC/Jones Worley Transit Marketing

FSC/Jones Worley Transit Marketing LLC is a joint venture between FSC Marketing Communications, a Pittsburgh-based marketing agency and Jones Worley Design, a marketing agency based in Atlanta, GA. FSC/Jones Worley has a unique mix of capabilities and experience, including expertise in transit marketing, consumer advertising, public relations and a vast knowledge of the City of Pittsburgh. Previous experience includes Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

For more information, call 412-471-3700

“Pittsburgh is a vibrant community, and Fairmont is delighted to be part of it,” says Len Czarnecki, general manager of Fairmont Pittsburgh. “We are looking forward to working with FSC, an agency with extensive experience in the Pittsburgh market, on a comprehensive community and public relations program.”

The new Fairmont will be housed in Three PNC Plaza, the largest high rise construction project in the City of Pittsburgh in the last 20 years, and one of the largest mixed use buildings to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council in accordance with its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. When completed, Fairmont Pittsburgh is expected to reach the Gold level of LEED certification which complements Fairmont’s philosophy of operational sustainability and responsible tourism.