Roska Direct Takes Three Direct Marketing Honors

- Roska Directs Creative Marketing Expertise in Direct Mail, Web Site Design, and Consumer Print Ads Recognized by the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association -

Montgomeryville, PA (June, 2000) - Roska Direct walked away with three out of eighteen awards for their creative expertise in Web Site Design, Direct Mail, and Consumer Print Ads at the 2000 Benjamin Franklin Awards (Bennys) ceremony in Philadelphia, PA. The first two awards were bestowed for the Agencys work with PetFoodDirect.com, while the third was for their work with HealthAxis.com. The Agency is delighted to have earned so many creative awards at the 2000 Bennys," stated Rick Moore, President of Roska Direct. We are privileged to compete among this regions best, as it is a hotbed for direct marketing talent and creativity."

The Electronic Interactive Consumer Award went to Roska Direct for their eye candy" design for the PetFoodDirect.com Web site. Since PetFoodDirect.com entered the world of online pet food stores at a time when other competitive sites were generating huge funding and strong presence in national broadcast media, it meant they had to find ways to be unique in this market. The answer was four-fold: offer a greater selection of premium foods and other items; offer pet services that go beyond the mere selling of food; offer unique customer service; and give the site a unique look where customers are greeted with eye candy" - about a dozen pleasing, whimsical icons that cheerily display all key sections of the site. According to Geoff Walker, CEO of PetFoodDirect.com, As a result of the marketing campaign spearheaded by Roska Direct, more than 8% of site visits result in placed orders."

Roska Direct was also awarded a Benny Award for their Get out of Line, Get Online with PetFoodDirect.com" direct mail campaign. This large-scale, 6-panel self-mailer accented the ease of online shopping, as well as the security of the experience. It stressed the unique, multifaceted characteristics of the pet store," and included a redeemable money-off offer for the buyer. According to Matthew Rosenblatt, Executive Creative Director of Roska Direct, This piece went a long way toward shoring up PetFoodDirect.coms place as a leader in e-commerce. It continues to successfully draw new customers, with some lists generating double-digit response rates."

Finally, the Agency was recognized for their consumer print ad for HealthAxis.coms campaign, Icons of the Web." According to Mr. Rosenblatt, HealthAxis.com is the only Web site that lets consumers purchase a policy from a brand-name carrier completely online. They had the challenge of convincing people to make a Web purchase of something that had always been done 'live, in the presence of an agent." Roska Directs solution uses familiar, simple icons of the Web to prove to the buyer that all other activities are trivial compared to insuring my family" and if insuring my family online is as easy as doing anything else online, then it shouldnt be a problem." This campaign was a great success and helped establish HealthAxis.com as the premier destination for easily accessible, quality health insurance.

The Benny Awards are presented by the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association (PDMA) - the industrys personal connection to everything thats happening in direct marketing in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond." According to the PDMA, The purpose of the Benny Awards is to honor the significant achievements of Direct Marketers in the greater Delaware Valley; to recognize outstanding work within the Creative Alternative Media, Telephone Marketing and Database Marketing arenas; and to foster pride, competition and the free exchange of ideas among members of the Philadelphia Direct Marketing community."

Roska Direct is a $50 million, full-service direct advertising agency serving national clients in the pharmaceutical, e-commerce, packaged goods, financial services, insurance, technology, and publishing markets. Additional information on Roska Direct is available at www.RoskaDirect.com.

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