Category Archives: News + Press

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.

Aha Communications, an Austin-based marketing services company, has successfully launched Atlanta-based Craft-Art’s new wood countertop line, Heirloom Wood Countertops. The product will be sold exclusively in select The Home Depot Stores nationwide and is the retail chain’s first privately-labeled wood countertop line.

In less than two months Aha Communications created the brand, printed marketing brochure and a full-scale website complete with an e-commerce feature and robust content management system.

“Our decision to choose Aha Communications for the project was an easy one”, said Dan Coats, Craft Art’s Vice President of Corporate Accounts and Strategic Partnerships for Craft-Art. “The firm’s deep knowledge in the kitchen and bath business is extremely apparent in looking at their past work and clientele. We are more than pleased with the results.”

Rob Bode has joined Aha Communications as a Graphic Designer. Bode holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Design from Texas State University and has experience with a variety of media, including print and electronic. Prior to joining Aha, Bode was lead designer and communications coordinator for the Texas PTA.

“Rob’s meticulous design skill will add enormous depth to our creative team,” said Deborah Pfluger, President. “We are all very excited to add him to our growing company.”

Austin-based Aha Communications, has struck its first deal with the State of Texas. The marketing agency has been chosen by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to design and produce selected marketing materials including an annual report and a comprehensive housing brochure.

The annual report will be the first produced by the TDHCA in eight years and will serve to educate public law makers and other stakeholders on the achievements of the Department over the past fiscal year.

Aha Communications has been tasked with helping the agency deliver a clear and positive message that positions the TDHCA as a leader in the state’s affordable housing development and maintenance, while putting a “human” face to the numbers.

“We are extremely eager to take on this important assignment with the State of Texas,” said Deborah Pfluger, President of Aha Communications.

The Hutto Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has selected Austin-based Aha Communications to help market one of the state’s fastest growing cities – Hutto, TX – to both regional and national audiences. The new marketing program will include rebranding and repositioning of the entity along with the development of a new website and a comprehensive suite of marketing materials.

The Hutto Economic Development Corporation strives to create new employment opportunities in Hutto through the attraction, expansion and retention of commercial, manufacturing and industrial employers. Aha Communications will help the corporation effectively compete by appropriately positioning Hutto in the economic development arena.

“Aha Communications’ broad understanding of the issues affecting economic development and community marketing made them the clear choice to handle our needs,” said Scott Martinez, Director of Hutto EDC. Hutto EDC’s new marketing campaign will kick-off in the second quarter of 2008. “Development of the new brand and marketing materials is well underway and we look forward to their debut in the near future”, said Deborah Pfluger, President of Aha Communications.

An Austin-based marketing agency has landed its first client with national-scale needs.

The Artisan Group, a national group of independent granite fabricators, has selected Aha Communications to handle a national launch of their organization and branded granite product. Aha Communications has developed a comprehensive launch strategy, a new website and will deploy announcement materials to a select group of industry publications, other media and industry groups.

Artisan Group members are experienced granite fabricators and their new branded granite line, Artisan Stone Collection, will be offered exclusively by members across the United States and Canada.

The Artisan Group launch is the first national scale effort for Aha Communications, an Austin-based marketing services company. With nearly 30 stone fabricators from Hawaii all the way to New Jersey, Aha Communications will tailor a campaign to suit national needs as well as each of the local markets.

“Landing a client with a national scope marks a milestone for our agency, and we look forward to applying our broad range of skills to tackle the assignment,” said Deborah Pfluger, president of Aha Communications.

Pfluger, a 20-year marketing and advertising industry veteran, launched Aha Communications in November 2006.

Aha Communications, an Austin-based marketing services company has mobilized to help SpineSmith Partners, a leading provider of spine stabilization products, introduce itself to a national audience of spine surgeons at the National Association of Spine Surgeons (NASS) Convention in Austin, Texas.

In just under seven weeks time, Aha Communications developed and produced a comprehensive suite of promotional tools for the start-up company which included brand messaging, graphics for a new trade show booth, printed sales support materials and a comprehensive website. “SpineSmith’s ground-breaking approach and cutting-edge line of work was a huge inspiration to our team,” said Deborah Pfluger, president of Aha Communications.

The attention-grabbing graphics ensured a steady flow of traffic in the booth and created opportunities for the SpineSmith sales team to converse with prospects and distribute marketing materials to a very receptive audience.

SpineSmith Partners, LLP designs, develops and markets implants and biologics for surgical fixation, correction and tissue regeneration of the spine.

Meghan Sutherland has joined Aha Communications as an Account Coordinator. Sutherland holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing from Texas Tech University. Sutherland recently completed an internship at Kolar Advertising where she contributed to the 3M account. She has also worked with the Foundation for a Better Life where she created a college campus campaign for the organization.

“Meghan brings a fresh outlook on marketing and terrific energy to Aha Communications,” said Deborah Pfluger, President. “We are all very pleased to have her on our team.”

If you have a penchant for plays, go crazy for concerts, or enjoy getting sucked into sporting events, a new marketing campaign aims to help you find a one-stop shop for information and tickets.

Austin-based Aha Communications is helping launch NowPlayingAustin.com, Central Texas’ largest, best and most comprehensive database of art, cultural, music and sports events taking place in the region. The site offers a complete calendar listing of every type of event, plus information about classes and workshops, jobs, auditions, organizations, venues, public art, individual artists and has links to purchase tickets.

The site had a “soft launch” in December, and has been updated and perfected since that time. Aha Communications created the service’s brand work, including the logo and tagline “Go. See. Do.” on a pro-bono basis. The firm was recently retained to develop a new advertising campaign designed to inform the general public of the new service.

NowPlayingAustin.com’s inaugural ad will appear in the May issue of Austin Monthly and planning is underway for a full blown promotional program.

“Aha Communications has been totally awesome,” says Latifah Taormina, executive director of the Austin Circle of Theaters, or ACoT. “They don’t just make up something and try to sell you on it. They listen, they ask questions, they get to your essence. And then they come up with their Aha! And it’s so on the mark. I’m thrilled. They say a good brand cuts through the clutter and speaks with one voice. I think that’s what Deborah Pfluger and her Aha Communications team have given Now Playing Austin. We’re very excited — and ever so grateful.”

No worries, Austin. There’s no reason to fear the people wearing bright yellow jumpsuits at five local events between now and mid-April – unless you’re terrified of a potential cereal offense.

The team decked out in the jumpsuits represents Austin-based Aha Communications’ “brand ambassadors” for Weetabix® Cereal. The ambassadors, part of Aha Communications’ flash mob campaign, make their official Austin launch this Saturday, March 24, at the Capitol 10K Race sponsored by the Austin American-Statesman.

The event marks the debut of Aha Communications micro-marketing campaign for Britian’s best selling cereal, now distributed here in the U.S. by Barbara’ Bakery Inc. The plan is to place more than 20,000 product samples and coupons directly in consumers’ hands over the next three weeks.

Aha Communications, working jointly with Gauger + Associates, a San Francisco-based ad agency, developed a one-to-one community based street marketing program to support traditional advertising that is currently running in the Austin market. Efforts coincide with an advertising campaign that includes television ads, outdoor boards and radio spots. Aha Communications has also wrapped a 15-passenger van with Weetabix brand graphics, and will use the van to transport its “brand ambassadors” around town as they perform attention grabbing theatrics.