TROY, Mich., June 13, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Troy, Michigan-based advertising agency Michael Flora & Associates has received the 12th Annual Webby People's Voice Award for Best Website-Insurance Category of 2008. This prestigious international award recognizes 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. "A lot of young people don't see health insurance as a priority. Being young and healthy, they feel 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. It was extremely effective," said Tom Brzezina, President, Michael Flora & Associates.
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards are the leading international awards of excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy. This year almost 10,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states were submitted. Nearly 500,000 votes were cast by people around the world for their favorite sites, videos and ads in The Webby People's Voice Awards presented by Nokia.
"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 & Associates' People's Voice Webby Award is a testament to their skill, ingenuity, and vision."
The "Don't be Bob" website was part of a larger promotional campaign by Michael Flora & Associates, which included broadcast media, online advertising and event marketing. In addition, "Don't be Bob" t-shirts were recognized as the hottest swag (giveaway) last summer by the Detroit Free Press. www.dontbebob.com also won a W3 Award from the International Academy of the Visual Arts this year.
For 30 years, Michael Flora & Associates has focused on understanding and changing consumer behavior to deliver positive results to their clients' bottom line. The agency has developed extensive expertise in healthcare and financial services marketing."