Your Web site is mobile-optimized and social media-enabled. Visitors even have a way to contact you directly without leaving the site. You’re third on Google and fourth on Bing. Check!

Facebook? Check. Not only are you on Facebook, but everyone from your grandmother to your eighth-grade boyfriend or girlfriend “Likes” you. That’s good. Your grandmother should like you.

Twitter handle? Check. You’ve set up HootSuite and TweetDeck and your following is growing by the day. In addition to a continuous stream of updates letting your followers know that you read an interesting article today in Women’s Wear Daily or Car & Driver Magazine, you are dialed in to the online conversation with laser focus. Nowhere in the Twittersphere will there be a conversation about your industry that you won’t be aware of or instantly be able to add your two cents. <

It’s only a matter of time before your Outlook inbox will be flooded with messages from potential customers and the phone starts ringing off the … that’s right — you forgot about the phone! What’s the number again?

No one is denying social media’s impact on the way our society communicates, but the jury is still out on its effectiveness as a sales and marketing tool. And while marketers debate the verdict, they continue to remain faithful to an old-school tactic that is proven to attain the Holy Grail that is consumer engagement.

1-800-FLOWERS, 1-800CABLETV, 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, 1-800-GOTJUNK, 1-800-MATTRES (leave off the last S for savings) are all examples of businesses that have successfully leveraged a vanity telephone number to do what every business sets out to do — make money. Whatever you decide to call it — consumer engagement or lead generation — the end result of those efforts should be increased sales.

The direct, brand-to-consumer engagement that a vanity telephone number provides creates more valuable and actionable opportunities for businesses to connect with potential customers than relationships forged through any social media platform. There are numerous competitive advantages to having an easy-to-remember phone number.

• Higher Consumer Recall: Consumers are more likely to recall a vanity phone number as opposed to a numeric phone number or URL. In fact, any type of advertising featuring a 1-800 vanity number generates a higher response rate — 30% or more by modest estimates — and higher lead-to-sales conversion rates.

• Don’t call me, I’ll call you: Consumers today are visually and audibly assaulted by myriad marketing and advertising campaigns spanning every possible media platform. The ability to leverage vanity telephone numbers is a trusted and proven method of driving voluntary engagement with consumers who have opted-in.

• Eliminates Exposure to Competitors: A vanity telephone number will ensure that consumers need to only dial a few digitals or type in an easily remembered Web address, virtually eliminating the exposure to competitors that comes with manual searching.

• Seriously, who doesn’t have a smartphone?: Mobile phone technology has made leaps and bounds over the past decade. Nielsen estimates that by December 2011, half of all Americans will own and operate a smartphone. Mobile devices equipped with full keypads convert vanity numbers for consumers, and SMS and email technology allows them to instantly opt-in to a brand’s marketing and CRM campaign with a simple phone call. The right number combined with the right marketing support has the ability to significantly build a meaningful consumer database and open a direct line of communication with a consumer who has already expressed interest in your brand’s message.

Hammerschlag trademarked the number, and set it up for use in other areas. Calls are automatically routed to local businesses based on source of incoming number. Currently the HOME-CARE number is active in over 65% of United States. Other popular numbers that he’s working with include 877 WINDOWS and 800 HURT NOW.

Rob Nestico, Managing Partner at Kisling, Nestico & Redick LLC in Akron Ohio had started a limousine business before law school. The number “850-LIMO” let him grow that business, but when he and his partners launched their personal injury law firm, they couldn’t get a distinctive number. Their marketing firm suggested the 800-HURT-NOW number. Nestico was hesitant to take on a vanity number that he didn’t own and become dependent on it. He was wary of price increases and being held hostage unless he changed the entire branding of firm. When he contacted Primary Wave, Hammerschlag set up the deal with a 99-year lease, with a reasonable set of increases that allowed Nestico to move forward.

“If you’re not branding well and people see your billboard, they may drive by it too fast and they won’t know how to reach you,” said Hammerschlag. “If they go home to Google for personal injury lawyers they’ll see 20 competitors. Put “800 Hurt-Now” on a billboard and people will remember the number.”

Nestico’s business has grown from an initial 5-10 cases per month to 150-200 cases per month over the last six years. They get 15 inquiries a day via their use of the 800 number. The growth is reflected in the size of his firm, which is up from the original three partners to 12 lawyers, with 30 support staff and multiple locations around Ohio.

Nestico notes that success isn’t built into the phone number itself. “The number has to be used in cross marketing, in different aspects of marketing channels. We use billboards, direct mail, mobile ad trucks, yellow pages and more.”

Hammerschlag understands this. Primary Wave developed template TV commercials and partnerships with post card and billboard companies.  Brand new licensees can access all this collateral that they can use in their market (for some extra money). There is also metrics tracking included in the licensing, so you know the number of calls, length of calls, and licensees can directly see the impact. On the Internet, people searching based on the number will find a directory which links them directly to the local firm in their area which is the number licensee.

Typical cost for a city market is between $150 and $1000 a month depending on the market and the number. Since numbers are costly, Primary Wave has also bought new ones on behalf of other firms and worked out deals for licensing in other parts of the country. Hammerschlag has this advice for start ups: “The most important thing besides raising money is to brand yourself in the right way.”

Primary wave is growing, and recently added Jim McCann of 1-800-Flowers.Com to their board of directors. How is your branding helping your company be memorable?

February, 9, 2010, Pleasantville, NY –- Primary Wave Media, the nation’s leading provider of toll-free vanity telephone numbers and marketing packages, today announced the appointment of Jim McCann to its board of directors. Jim McCann is the founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.com, Inc., the world’s largest florist and gift shop.

Based in New York, Primary Wave Media provides unique, custom business-building marketing solutions, using vanity phone numbers to increase customer engagement and brand recognition on both a national and regional level for new and established brands.

“Jim McCann has a global reputation as a retail visionary and consummate entrepreneur with a knack for delivering overall business growth,” said Gregg Hamerschlag, CEO of Primary Wave Media. “Jim brings to Primary Wave Media an endless amount of energy and the ability to explore multiple new growth opportunities. His proven leadership skills, innovative thinking and ability to create brands that resonate with customers are valued not only by me but by our entire organization.”

“Primary Wave Media is on the leading edge of the multichannel marketing curve,” said Jim McCann. “Gregg and his team understand the necessity of utilizing the Internet, phone and other communication vehicles to provide customers with an unparalleled combination of cost-effective marketing and advertising services. I am excited to serve on Primary Wave Media’s board of directors.”

About Primary Wave Media

Primary Wave Media is a leading integrated marketing, licensing and media company that develops industry-defining, IP-based branding assets and campaigns designed for B2C companies in highly competitive, high-growth industry segments. Primary Wave Media provides unique, custom business-building marketing solutions, through the use of vanity phone numbers, to increase customer engagement and brand recognition on both a national and regional level for new and established brands. As one of the nation’s leading providers of toll-free vanity number marketing programs, Primary Wave Media licenses a wide range of shared-use 800 numbers, including 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-HURT-NOW, 1-800-NEST-EGG and 1-800-WIRELESS, among others. For further information about Primary Wave Media, please visit www.primarywavemedia.com.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the world’s leading florist and gift shop. For more than 30 years, 1-800-FLOWERS® (1-800-356-9377 or www.1800flowers.com) has been helping deliver smiles for our customers with gifts for every occasion, including fresh flowers and the finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, candles, balloons and plush stuffed animals. As always, our 100% Smile Guarantee backs every gift.  1-800-FLOWERS.COM’s Mobile Flower & Gift Center was named winner of the 2010 “Best Mobile App for E-commerce” by DPAC (Digiday’s Publishing & Advertising Awards) and RIS (Retail Info Systems) 2010 Mobile App of the Year Award in the “Best Shopping” category. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM was also rated number one vs. competitors for customer satisfaction by STELLAService and named by the E-Tailing Group as one of only nine online retailers out of 100 benchmarked to meet the criteria for Excellence in Online Customer Service. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has been honored in Internet Retailer’s “Hot 100: America’s Best Retail Web Sites” for 2011. The Company’s BloomNet® international floral wire service (www.mybloomnet.net) provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. “Gift Shop” also includes gourmet gifts such as popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory® (1-800-541-2676 or www.thepopcornfactory.com); cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl’s® (1-800-443-8124 or www.cheryls.com); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May® confections brands (www.fanniemay.com and www.harrylondon.com); gift baskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com®  (www.1800baskets.com); and wine gifts from Winetasting.com® (www.winetasting.com).  The Company’s Celebrations® brand (www.celebrations.com) is a new premier online destination for fabulous party ideas and planning tips. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is involved in a broad range of corporate social responsibility initiatives including continuous expansion and enhancement of its environmentally-friendly “green” programs as well as various philanthropic and charitable efforts. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

SOURCE Primary Wave Media

Saveology.com to Market and Operate the Business Nationally after Being Launched and Operated by Primary Wave Media Since 2003

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Primary Wave Media, the nation’s leading provider of toll-free vanity telephone number marketing programs, today announced that it has sold its 1800CableTV.com business to Saveology.com®. After launching 1800CableTV.com in 2003, Primary Wave successfully established and marketed the brand as one of the leading customer creation portals in the cable industry through licensing programs in major U.S. markets.

Through the deal, Saveology.com acquires the 1800CableTV.com intellectual property and existing business to operate as a national sales channel for cable and broadband communications services. Saveology.com’s purchase of 1800CableTV.com will enable it to supplement its service comparison shopping websites. Through 1800CableTV.com, Saveology.com has added an established local and national direct-to-consumer sales channel for cable companies to deliver broadband communications services to residential and small business customers.

“The addition of 1800CableTV.com to Saveology.com’s marketing toolkit brings a business practice that has the proven ability to drive customer awareness on a national level and positively impact the bottom line,” said Gregg Hamerschlag, CEO of Primary Wave Media. “The multichannel approach of 1800CableTV.com and its already recognizable brand will further elevate Saveology.com’s value proposition to consumers. Our licensing partners can attest to the business’ ability to deliver a substantial return on investment.”

“1800CableTV.com has taken the often complex word, ‘Cable TV,’ and is making it consumer friendly and simple by offering an easy way to navigate, compare and purchase from all the major cable providers,” said Benzion Aboud, CEO of Saveology.com. “Look for us to continue to bring unique products and experiences to our consumers as we leverage the potential of 1800CableTV.”

Primary Wave Media specializes in cost-effective marketing and advertising services, including visually dynamic advertisement on the Internet, television and radio. Its intellectual property-based marketing packages, deliver one-on-one customer engagement over the telephone, which is the most effective sales and customer service tool available.

About Primary Wave Media

Primary Wave Media is a leading integrated marketing, licensing and media company that develops industry-defining, IP-based branding assets and campaigns designed for B2C companies in highly competitive, high-growth industry segments. Primary Wave Media provides unique, custom business-building marketing solutions, through the use of vanity phone numbers, to increase customer engagement and brand recognition on both a national and regional level for new and established brands. As one of the nation’s leading providers of toll-free vanity number marketing programs, Primary Wave Media licenses a wide range of shared-use 800 numbers, including 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-HURT-NOW, 1-877-WINDOWS and 1-800-WIRELESS, among others. For further information about Primary Wave Media, please visit www.primarywavemedia.com.

About 1800CableTV.com

1800CableTV.com brings the offers of cable companies across the nation to one place so you can review all of them and make the most informed decision. With 1800CableTV.com, you’ll spend minutes instead of hours researching the best cable television offers. We lead you directly to the best values and best choices in digital cable television for you and your family. To learn more, visit www.1800cabletv.com.

About Saveology.com®

Saveology.com is a leading comparison shopping destination focused on a vast array of home services including cable, satellite television, Internet, telecommunications, home security and warranties, moving services and various financial products. Our mission, through utilization of the Saveology.com platform and search engine, is to empower consumers to lower their cost of living by quickly comparing offers and allowing for the seamless purchase and service installation of a broad range of nationally recognized brands. Visit www.Saveology.com to learn more.

Primary Wave Media has introduced many successful vanity number marketing programs to large and small businesses throughout the United States, including its hugely successful 1-800-CABLE-TV program that is now successfully being used in over 800 cities throughout 37 states.  The number, 1-800-CABLE-TV and www.1800cabletv.com web site have become one of the nation’s leading sources for consumers searching for information regarding cable television services and the companies using the vanity phone number have seen a 20% or better increase in call volume.

“Primary Wave Media understands the value of marketing a great vanity number brand, said Gregg Hamerschlag, President/CEO of Primary Wave Media; “1-877-WINDOWS provides these companies with an effective tool that will help capture the consumer’s first call. Much like 1-800-FLOWERS changed the flower business, we believe 1-877-WINDOWS can do the same for the window industry. The windows industry is poised for explosive growth as we come out of the recession and consumers will never forget the number. We expect this valuable service to be as successful and useful as 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOSPICE, 1-866-GREAT-RATES and many other of our vanity branded programs” he added.

About Primary Wave Media

Founded in 2003, Primary Wave Media is an integrated marketing and media company concentrating on the development and distribution of industry defining IP that is licensed to companies for exclusive use in each geographic DMA.  For further information on Primary Wave Media and toll-free numbers available, please visit www.primarywavemedia.com.

Under the terms of the agreement,  Primary Wave Media’s clients, who license shared-use, toll-free vanity phone numbers such as 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-WIRELESS and 1-800-HURT-NOW, will be offered Spot Savvy’s highly specialized creative services.  Spot Savvy produces customized, concept-driven advertisements with top-quality production values at a fraction of the regular cost by bringing together the creative strength of a traditional ad agency with the cost efficiency of ad licensing.  In addition, Spot Savvy provides expert media buying services.

By joining forces, Primary Wave Media and Spot Savvy will provide customers with an unparalleled combination of cost-effective marketing and advertising services, from toll-free, shared-use vanity phone numbers to compelling and visually dynamic advertisements on television, radio, billboards and the Internet.

“This is a perfect marriage between two innovative companies who understand the importance of providing clients with top-notch creative, advertising and marketing services at significant cost savings,” said Gregg Hamerschlag, CEO of Primary Wave Media.  “Our partnership with Spot Savvy, like our other joint ventures, offer businesses of all sizes exactly what they need in today’s extremely competitive marketing environment.”

“Our groundbreaking ad licensing program is a formula for success at a cost that simply can’t be beat,” said Scott Whitney, CEO of Spot Savvy.  “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Primary Wave Media, and look forward to working with their clients on creating  top-quality content that will increase effectiveness of their advertising campaigns, maximize the value of their toll-free, vanity 800 numbers and build their brands.”

About Spot Savvy

Spot Savvy is a full-service advertising agency with expertise in creating cutting-edge and visually dynamic advertising for television, radio, print and digital campaigns.  Spot Savvy’s innovative formula for developing customized, concept-driven advertisements for exclusive use in geographic markets allows clients to maximize value and results.  By bringing together the creative strength of a traditional ad agency with the cost efficiency of ad licensing, Spot Savvy has produced top-quality content at affordable prices for start-up and established companies in numerous industries, including hospital/healthcare, financial services, law and insurance.  To learn more about Spot Savvy, please visit www.spotsavvy.com.

About Primary Wave Media

Primary Wave Media is a media and branding company that is one of the nation’s leading providers of toll-free vanity number marketing programs.  The company licenses a wide range of shared-use 800 numbers, including 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-HURT-NOW, 1-800-NEST-EGG and 1-877-NEW-FORD, among many others.  Primary Wave Media’s innovative and state-of-the-art optimization tools increase the effectiveness of online and offline marketing campaigns for both small and large companies.  For further information about Primary Wave Media, please visit www.primarywavemedia.com.

Toll-Free Numbers Will be Featured on a Variety of Outdoor Advertising Venues

July 13, 2010, New York, NY – Primary Wave Media, one of the nation’s leading providers of toll-free vanity number marketing programs, today announced a joint venture with Billboard Connection, experts in developing and executing outdoor advertising campaigns for companies nationwide. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Primary Wave Media will offer Billboard Connection’s clients its easy-to-remember, toll-free vanity phone numbers such as 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-WIRELESS, 1-800-HURT-NOW and 1-877-NEW-FORD.  Companies who license the vanity numbers will be able to feature them in a variety of out-of-home advertising platforms offered by Billboard Connection, including permanent and mobile billboards, transit shelters, buses, taxi tops, mall kiosks and airport advertising.  The joint venture provides Billboard Connection’s more than 40 agencies across the country with a value-added service that will significantly increase the effectiveness of a client’s advertising and marketing campaign. 

In addition, Primary Wave’s 1,000+  vanity phone number licensees will have the opportunity to utilize Billboard Connection’s specialized services, tapping into a wide range of out-of-home media that will help them target and reach new customers.

“We help companies generate sales and build their brands through distinctive vanity phone numbers that serve as a centerpiece of a marketing campaign,” said Gregg Hamerschlag, CEO of Primary Wave Media.  “Our partnership with Billboard Connection, a recognized leader in the out-of-home advertising space, will allow us to offer our services to small or large companies seeking that extra edge in today’s competitive marketplace.” 

“We are committed to helping our clients reach their customers and propel their businesses,” said Tom Flood, Vice President of Billboard Connection.  “Primary Wave’s unrivaled selection of unforgettable vanity phone numbers have been shown to drastically increase call volume and response rates to advertising campaigns.  Combined with our  innovative advertising solutions, Primary Wave’s phone numbers will result in higher consumer recall and brand awareness in the most cost-effective way.  This is a win-win for everyone.”

Through Primary Wave Media’s innovative and state-of-the-art optimization tools, companies can access daily call-tracking reports and obtain feedback on the outcome of every call.  This allows management to ensure that messages are being recorded accurately and that all leads are followed up properly and proactively.

About Billboard Connection
Billboard Connection is an advertising agency specializing in just out-of-home & nontraditional media.  With over 40 agencies in the US as well as offices in Canada, Australia and the UK, Billboard Connection offers turnkey advertising solutions to advertisers who want to tap into the wide array of outdoor advertising options through one single source.  Our specialists cut through the clutter to ensure that our clients are utilizing the best outdoor advertising options to reach their target audience. Billboard Connection services include campaign design, creative, production, media consulting, planning, buying and proof of performance assessments. For additional information please visit www.billboardconnection.com.

About Primary Wave Media
Primary Wave Media is a media and branding company that is one of the nation’s leading providers of toll-free vanity number marketing programs.  The company licenses a wide range of shared-use 800 numbers, including 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOME-CARE, 1-800-HURT-NOW, 1-800-NEST-EGG and 1-877-NEW-FORD, among many others.  Primary Wave Media’s innovative and state-of-the-art optimization tools increase the effectiveness of online and offline marketing campaigns for both small and large companies.  For further information about Primary Wave Media, please visit www.primarywavemedia.com.

Contact:
Alex Goldstein
917.670.8981
alexgoldstein25@gmail.com

Advantage Homes Put 1-866-NEW-HOME On All of Their Print Ads

“I’ve made it clear time and time again that I will dedicate the remainder of my life to creating a culture of preparedness in this country,” said Honore’.   1-800-PREPARE.com has created a vehicle by which every man, woman, child, corporation, school and government agency in America can get informed, outfitted and prepared for any disaster.  I’m very excited about my involvement with 1-800-PREPARE.com and look forward to furthering our mission of making sure everyone in America is prepared.”

In addition to his highly decorated military career, General Honore’ is best known for his command of Joint Task Force-Katrina.  He served in a variety of command and staff positions which focused on Defense Support to Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense. For four  hurricane seasons, General Honore’ supported the Department of Defense planning and response for Hurricanes Floyd in 1999; Lilli and Isidore in 2002 (both hit the Gulf Coast); Isabel in 2003; and Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in 2004.

“General Honore’ is the most respected figure in the world of preparedness,” said Tony Fiorino, CEO of 1-800-PREPARE.com.  “At 1-800-PREPARE.com it is our mission to change the culture of preparedness in our country and offer consumers a wide range of preparedness equipment including kits, fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and everything they need to stay prepared for life’s what ifs. To find someone with such stature who shares our passion and our mission is encouraging.  We’re thrilled to have General Honore’ advising our company and we’re excited to work closely with him to create a culture of preparedness in America.”

General Honoré retired on February 29, 2008, following 37 years of active service with the United States Army. He is the author of “Survival”, a frequent featured preparedness expert on CNN and one of the most sought after public speakers on the topic of preparedness.  He counts as his speaking and consulting clients such distinguished organizations as The Red Cross, Proctor and Gamble, Coca-Cola, MasterCard, MTV, Miller Brewing, General Electric and many others.

About 1-800-PREPARE.com: 1-800-PREPARE.com was founded by two emergency responders, Paul Faust and Gregg Hamerschlag and offers a full suite of disaster-preparedness supplies, products and resources to help people prepare for life’s everyday challenges as well as emergency situations. Visit www.1800prepare.com for more information.

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Hospice of South East Florida Using 1-800-HOSPICE (Female)

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Hospice of South East Florida Using 1-800-HOSPICE (Male)

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