Category Archives: News + Press

The Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce, formerly known as “GPCC”, is now the Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce (or “The Chamber). This change is part of a rebranding effort, including a new logo, designed to reflect an emerging Pflugerville –officially an urban area, now having a population of over 50,000 – and a maturing Chamber, which celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year.

“I think the name change from Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce to Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce is very appropriate given how much the City of Pflugerville has grown over the years,” says Matt Sparkman, Vice President at First State Bank Central Texas and Chamber Chair-Elect.

As for the logo? Designed by Chamber Investor Aha! Communications, the new look can be interpreted in several ways. According to Patricia Gervan-Brown, President and CEO of the Chamber, “The Marketing Department and Board of Directors view this logo as symbolizing the Chamber ‘cradling’ the business community, as well as being the ‘center’ of the business community. We are actively incorporating it and our other rebranding elements into our daily operations.”

The Chamber is also introducing new programmatic efforts that parallel the City’s cultural and economic landscape. In addition to its usual slate of monthly networking events, The Chamber had added “PFood for Thought”, a lunchtime speaker series which will commence on April 27 with the topic “Serving the Hispanic Market”, as well as Speed Networking at various venues.

The “Come Home to Shop!®” campaign, initiated in 2007 and enhanced by a Discount Card Program in 2009, will continue to grow in 2010 in a joint effort with the City of Pflugerville to keep sales tax dollars in Pflugerville. Says Pflugerville Mayor Jeff Coleman, “We’ve known for years that people are leaving the city (to shop), but four years ago we didn’t have options for them. We have options for them now.”

A Customer Service Certification program, “Come Home to Shop with PFriends!” will be added to the campaign as a further inducement to buy local. Says Sparkman, “I think the Chamber staff and current Board of Directors are doing a fantastic job in keeping up with the times. (The Chamber) has recognized that its demographics are changing and hence it needs to implement new programs and fresh ideas in order to stay relevant.”

The Chamber is also in the process of redesigning its Web site to better serve its Investors and community.

With a Google search of “VoIP providers” returning more than 10 million results, differentiating yourself in the industry is a tough task to tackle. Local advertising and marketing agency, Aha Communications faced this challenge when engaged to take on the website redesign for Austin-based Voice over IP and Internet provider, DoubleHorn Communications.

The Austin agency was engaged to not only redesign the company’s site, but to also carry out a complete reorganization of content and product information. Aha Communications’ strategic marketing objective was to create a site that put all of the information together in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-find format. By eliminating confusing technical jargon and intimidating product information and by strategically reorganizing the massive amount of data, Aha delivered a user-friendly website that allows visitors to find what they need in just one or two clicks.

“In building the DoubleHorn site, we wanted to ensure that DoubleHorn’s customers would feel confident about what they were purchasing, rather than overwhelmed,” said Deborah Pfluger, President of Aha Communications. “Using design features and organizational techniques, we focused on changing the language of the website from industry-based to more general product information.”

One great feature that was implemented on the homepage was a product slideshow that displays all of the products in a simplified format offering users quick and easy access to information without having to dig through pages of content. The design of this product slide show successfully took large amounts of data and turned it into an accessible format for consumers using neatly-designed, expanding menus and information blocks.

“I am very impressed with the way Aha Communications successfully set DoubleHorn apart from a sea of competition by creating a neat, clean, more user-based site. They truly focused on making our products easier to access for”, said Tab Schadt, CEO and Founder of DoubleHorn Communications. “What is typically a high-tech IT world is now something every business owner can understand.”

Additional features of the redesigned site include a news section and blog that will provide users with continually updated industry trends, news, company information and more.

With more than 12 years of industry experience and numerous awards and accolades under his belt, Chris Ollier is taking the helm of the creative department for Austin branding and marketing agency Aha Communications.

Ollier previously served as a creative lead for Milkshake Media. He has a proven track record with campaigns for organizations that include: Blanton Museum of Art, Populous (a global architectural/development firm), University Federal Credit Union, the LIVESTRONG program for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and SolarWinds. Ollier has won numerous ADDY awards and has been featured in several publications including Print, CA and Step for his outstanding creative work.

“Chris understands not only how to convey important ideas in a fresh, compelling way, but he also understands how to manage time and budgets,” said Deborah Pfluger, Founder and President of Aha Communications. “We know his talent will help Aha Communications continue to serve current and future clients well.”

Ollier has his Bachelor of Arts in visual communication from Texas State University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

A group of four Austin businesses will be among the first to participate in a new program aimed at ridding local roadways of unsightly litter. The campaign, called Purty Up Austin, is the brainchild of a local marketing agency, Aha Communications, who is organizing and coordinating the effort. The program launches this Friday, with four companies and a cumulative 37 volunteers already committed to participating including Aha Communications, REAL-COMP, Pfluger Associates Architects and City Girls Residential.

“Austin’s growing litter problem is sad and embarrassing, and we’re harnessing some good ole’ fashioned elbow grease to ’Purty Up’ our town,” said Deborah Pfluger, president and founder of Aha Communications. “Many companies are tight on cash right now and our program gives them an alternate way to make a difference and be recognized for their efforts. We anticipate many businesses will benefit from having employees spending time together outside of the office on behalf of a good cause.”

“Pfluger says while the concept of pitching in to pick up litter may seem like old hat, this program has unique attributes. It gives Austin area businesses of all sizes a chance to do something good – one street at a time – and be recognized for their efforts. Every Austin company or organization that pitches in to clean up a street or littered area will be acknowledged with a custom sign that will mark the clean-up effort. Also, instead of donating money toa cause that accomplishes a similar goal, companies and their employees are the ones to participate in Purty Up Austin.

With Nielson/NetRatings reporting nearly 8 billion Internet searches performed each month and 83 percent of today’s buyers using search engines like Google and Yahoo, making sure your website appears in organic search engine rankings has become crucial and Austin-based marketing company – Aha Communications has proven their expertise in this field.

Called Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, the technique can improve the volume and quality of traffic directed to a website. Aha Communications’proficiency with the ins and outs of SEO has yielded quick results for clients. Most recently, the marketing firm completed and launched a new website for Clearshot Capital Partners (www.clearshot.com) which resulted in a first page showing on Google after only several weeks time.

“I don’t know what Aha Communications does with the search engine optimization, but www.clearshot.com is popping up first in searches. It is fantastic,” said Mike Dewey, President of Clearshot.

Aha Communications develops custom websites with a goal of achieving organic search results for its clients. The Porter Company’s website, (www.theporterco.com), underwent a SEO makeover by Aha Communications resulting in a dramatic improvement in search rankings for key search terms. “When a Google search is done for “mechanical contractors in Austin” our website comes up on Page 1,” said Aaron Richards vice president and COO of The Porter Company.

After striking its first deal with a state agency last year, Austin-based marketing firm, Aha Communications, has successfully designed and produced an annual report, two ads, and tradeshow support materials for the
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

The state agency, that is dedicated to promoting the development, maintenance and preservation of Texas’ affordable housing industry, needed to spread the good word about their accomplishments in 2008, so they chose Aha Communications to deliver a clear and positive message. In the resulting annual report – the first produced by the TDHCA in eight years –Aha Communications successfully positioned the TDHCA as a leader in affordable housing while giving the numbers a “human” face.

TDHCA re-enlisted the marketing agency to develop and produce two prints ads and tradeshow support materials for the Department’s First-Time Homebuyer Program.