DECEMBER 22, 2008

Phoenix—A lot has changed at McMurry since the company last redesigned mcmurry.com. It successfully completed eight acquisitions. It became the largest marketing communications firm in Arizona. It recently introduced a new logo that each staff member can customize. And now, McMurry has made over its website.

“We’ve wanted to update our site for a number of years to reflect the integration of our acquisitions and expanded offerings, so we’re launching the new mcmurry.com with a great deal of anticipation,” says CEO Chris McMurry. “The site was built entirely in-house by our burgeoning interactive group that has doubled in size during the last year.”

The site includes in-depth multimedia portfolios that showcase the firm’s custom media, interactive and advertising services and an enhanced “About Us” area that includes social media links, printable materials and McMurry-produced videos representing the company’s award-winning culture. Also, a “Logo Hall of Fame” exhibits staff member logos and the unique stories behind each creation.

“Most people in today’s world check out a business online first,” says COO/CFO Audra Taylor. “Then they make those critical first-impression decisions. Our goal with the new mcmurry.com is simple. We want visitors to think, ‘Wow, I like this company, and I want to learn more.’ ”

A number of technologies are incorporated into the site to improve user experiences and site response rates. For instance, a special form of JavaScript known as AJAX allows clicking without tedious page refreshing. JavaScript components like Shadowbox are used on thumbnail images to make large image previews more interesting and appealing, and a custom-made Flash player displays each business unit’s portfolio pieces. Social media links and an RSS feed were added to the “News” page, making it easy for a user to keep track of the latest McMurry events.

“Between now and June we have one more area of the site to build out, and it will add an entirely new dimension to our online environment,” says President/Interactive Services Fred Mersbach, referring to a complex overhaul of the Internet offerings that come from the Center for Professional Excellence, a division of McMurry that caters to specialty audiences through its newsletters, workshops, awards programs, research and content archives.

About McMurry
McMurry (mcmurry.com), with three offices in Arizona and New York, offers a complete line of marketing communications services to a variety of clientele, including GlaxoSmithKline, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., Amtrak, CBS, Aon, CVS Caremark, Waste Management, USAA and 24 Hour Fitness, as well as resources to more than 10,000 corporate professionals. The company has specialized practices in healthcare, finance and insurance. It is among the largest independent marketing communications companies in the U.S. and is recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute and Society for Human Resource Management as one of the top five “Best Small Companies to Work For” in the U.S.

 

Katie Haney, Strategic Communications Specialist

P: 602-395-5850
E: KATIE.HANEY@MCMURRY.COM