Synergize Bookmarks Award

On 11 November the 2011 Bookmark Award ceremony handed out just eight gold trophies out of 52 categories. Taking gold in the organic search category for the work Synergize did on the Cash Crusaders website shows that Synergize is a serious player in digital marketing and helped to secure their reputation in the world of SEO. Within the organic search category there were a total of three entrants, two from Quirk for Hollard Insurance and Capitec Bank. Only one award was given on the night in this particular category and that was the gold award that went to Synergize. After not having awarded any of the entrants in this category last year it was a massive coup for Synergize to take gold over an agency as large and established as Quirk.

Head of research and development Robin Fishley and Managing Partner Shaune Joordan collected the award on the evening. It is the first time that an online marketing agency has been awarded for excellence in organic search ranking in South Africa and it is a great sign that this aspect of online marketing is getting recognition. Through a well-planned and intensive SEO strategy, Synergize achieved an overall increase in traffic of 43% and a 1500% increase in traffic to targeted niches for the Cash Crusaders website. With figures like that it is easy to see why they were the clear winners. This type of public recognition is excellent for business but also a sign that online marketing is changing. As the first agency to ever be awarded for organic search results, everyone is hopeful that this shows the start of a trend that recognises the role that organic search ranking plays in online marketing. Being recognised alongside some of the biggest names in advertising is not just great for Synergize it is great for digital marketing and shows that positive steps are being taken regarding SEO.

When a digital agency won the Grand Prix award at the Loeries earlier this year it indicated a significant shift in the marketing and advertising sphere that is without a doubt going to create a permanent change in the way business chooses to advertise and market their brands. This shift was clearly visible at the 2011 Bookmark Awards, not only through the sheer size of the event which, evidently is growing year on year but also through the brands that were represented. It is significant that the event is sponsored by First National Bank and that the brands that won awards were among the likes of Volkswagen, this shows that big business recognises the power of online marketing. The welcoming speech by the head of marketing at FNB echoed this when he reiterated that the bank has faith in this growing industry.

The Bookmarks 2011 were a great result for Synergize and a sign of big things to come for this small but growing agency. What it really showed though was that online marketing is developing in massive strides and organic search is an important part of that.