Waldo County General Hospital recently launched a direct mail and advertising campaign to increase community awareness of health center services and the availability of primary care providers in Waldo County. “Quality Care, Close to Home” is the main message of the campaign. Health Center resources include priority sick visits, on-site lab work, friendly staff, and programs for qualifying patients that can help to pay for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Hospital staff managed the implementation of the campaign working closely with Pica Design on strategy, photography, copywriting and design. Local photographer, Margaret McKenna, provided the photography for the campaign, which ran in local online and print news channels. The new campaign ties into the hospital’s new website (also developed by Pica Design), which helps track response to the new campaign.

Highlighted in the campaign were primary care doctors in Waldo County and the Hospital’s physician referral service. The Health Centers featured include: Arthur Jewell Community Health Center, Donald S. Walker Health Center, Lincolnville Regional Health Center, Searsport Health Center, and Stockton Springs Regional Health Center. A second campaign focuses on the Hospital’s Physical and Occupational Therapy programs. To view the Primary Care campaign artwork, visit: www.picadesign.com. To learn more about the Hospital’s service offerings, visit: www.wcgh.org.

Pica Design is pleased to welcome RHR Smith & Company, C.P.A.s to our Client roster. In early November, RHR contracted us to provide Email Marketing services through Pica eNews™, a simple yet robust tool that allows RHR to create and deliver email campaigns on the fly. RHR Smith & Company, C.P.A.s is a full service, Maine-based accounting firm, which specializes in building client relationships. Their Development Services division offers consulting and other strategic expertise to clients. Its staff includes a former executive director with 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, and extensive knowledge in business and governmental organizations. To learn more about RHR Smith & Company, you can visit their website here: www.rhrsmith.com. To learn more about our Email Marketing Service, Pica eNews™, visit: success.picadesign.com/eNews.

What makes a great ad? We just raised this question at Pica Design when brainstorming new advertising ideas for VillageSoup. We decided to compile our thoughts and share them here on our blog. As you will see, our responses were varied, but they also overlap. A common thread is the understanding that great advertising grabs our attention, and we know a good ad when we see one. We invite you to delve into our responses and share your own thoughts by posting a ‘Reply’ under the blog.

+ a connection to the audience. If an ad connects with me–through humor or imagery or an element of surprise–it will be memorable. I’ll look up a website to learn more.

+ a concise message delivered in a bold and different way.

+ making the most of beauty. Beauty is inspiring and it’s memorable. If an ad inspires you, you remember it.

+ a great company, product or service. Then, it’s about clear communication and spot-on execution. So, it’s a great idea + useful design; that’s what makes a great ad.

+ authenticity, creativity, ingenuity and uniqueness.

+ few words. It makes the essential points and directs us to learn more.

+ a great marketing plan.

+ a great visual. I think one great visual is better than three not-so-great ones. Great advertising is simple and uncluttered.

+ knowing the difference between advertising and marketing.

+ standing out in a crowd.

+ immediacy. When an ad incorporates an offer to take advantage of right now, I pay attention.

How would you finish the statement, ‘A great ad starts with…’ ?

Need to jumpstart your marketing plans for 2011? Update your website? Develop a company logo? Redefine your brand? We offer a FREE one hour consultation at our design studio in Belfast. Call us today at (207) 338-1740 or email us at info@picadesign.com to schedule your meeting with our creative team.

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