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Alcan Composites USA Launches New Easy-to-navigate Web 2.0 Site Loaded With Rich Media, Interactive Features
Mooresville, North Carolina—Alcan Composites USA is pleased to announce the launch of its updated graphic display Web site incorporating some of the latest Web 2.0 interactive features and rich media, including an on-line discussion forum, product animations and fabrication videos. The www.GraphicDisplayUSA.com Web site has been designed for easy navigation and access to product and distributor information, with links to all Web site information located conveniently on the footer of each page. Additionally, the new Web site’s visual design promotes cohesive product branding, featuring images from the company’s new Legends of Mythology advertisements and product collateral.
“This Web site has been designed with new features intended to better educate and engage designers, project specifiers, and fabricators in the selection and wide range of uses of our graphic display boards,” said Joseph N. Masters, marketing manager, graphic display, Alcan Composites USA.
Site visitors are educated and engaged through rich media, including flash animations and videos depicting fabrication techniques that are prominently featured on the site. Additionally, an interactive product selector tool helps visitors choose one of the company’s legendary substrates based upon user-provided specifications. And, a new discussion forum encourages the audience to share ideas.
“The design and layout of the web site includes imagery that reflects our new Legends of Mythology marketing communications campaign,” said Masters. “Through the incorporation of rich media, web site visitors can see how the mythological legends utilized in our campaign were brought to life in both animations and fabrication videos that can be downloaded from our server or accessed via You Tube.
“We wanted to take advantage of new Web-based technology to raise brand awareness and enhance our digital presence. This Web site is designed to make our products stand out and raise the bar in the industry.”
The Alcan Composites USA marketing communications campaign utilizes images of mythological gods to inspire legendary creations—”Design on an Epic Scale”—from graphic designers, who’ve long relied upon the proven performance of the company’s Fome-Cor®, Sintra®, Gator® and Dibond® graphic display boards. Each product line’s attributes is powerfully represented through a mythological legendary figure, including Neptune, Ra, Medusa, and Thor.
The Legends of Mythology campaign was created by Charlotte, North Carolina.-based Luquire George Andrews (LGA), which also developed the look and content topics of the new www.GraphicDisplayUSA.com Web site. “We’ve developed a comprehensive identification system in which each product is represented by a particular color scheme and corresponding mythological legend,” said Todd Aldridge, group creative director, LGA. “The Web site now exhibits this unified look and feel that’s been incorporated in company ads, product literature and trade show collateral, making the site easier to navigate.”
The development of a Web 2.0 site by Alcan Composites USA is a natural evolution of the company’s initial online offering, according to Philip Tate, senior vice president, LGA. “Web 2.0 sites are quicker to get around, allowing visitors to find more information and move on,” said Tate. “They’re much more content driven. Visitors’ ability to access information quickly is paramount.”
In addition to product color schemes, the site’s navigation further has been enhanced by logically reorganized tabs and content, according to Masters. Site content also is displayed with easy-to-read photo galleries and roll-over thumbnails that allow documents to be downloaded, he said.
“Everything a customer wants to do on this site is accessible from the home page; you can see it with just a glance,” said Scott Gurley, owner of St. Louis-based Eleven Twenty-Seven Web, who built out the www.GraphicDisplayUSA.com site. “Additionally, the footer on each page lists all of the site’s information areas. Users can decide how they would like to navigate the site. They’re given multiple options.”
Site visitors can access both the product selector tool and a list of local distributors via a map prominently displayed on the home page. Registering for VIP Access from this area allows visitors to request product samples, post to forums, and receive updates from Alcan Composites USA. Other updated areas on the site include expanded Case Histories, Gallery, Downloads, Newsroom, Sustainability, and Forum/FAQ sections.
The Web 2.0 site not only is cleaner and easier to navigate, it invites interactive communication between graphic designers, project specifiers, fabricators, and Alcan Composites USA marketing and technical personnel in the new Forum/FAQ section.
“We wanted to provide a forum for members of a like-minded community to get together and discuss our products,” said Masters. “We’ll also address frequently asked questions within the forum itself.”
“There’s no right or wrong way to use the forum,” said Aldridge. “Its intent is for customers and company personnel to have a healthy conversation. We hope people will share techniques that work with these products.”
Visit the new web site at www.GraphicDisplayUSA.com.
For more information about Alcan Composites USA graphic display boards, call 800/626-3365 or email info.usa@alcan.com.
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