Honorable Mention: USV Case Study

In 2024, A.WordSmith was tasked with promoting SeaTrac Systems’ support of a NOAA/USM project to map potential hypoxic zones of the U.S. Gulf via the company’s remotely piloted uncrewed surface vehicle. As a result, SeaTrac received nearly 100 qualified leads. A related press release went to 122 contacts with a 30 percent unique open rate, resulting in 19 total articles (including one local television news story) that generated 916.79K unique visitors per month and an advertising equivalent value of $152,467.50, as verified by MuckRack public relations software.

To do this, A.WordSmith interviewed SeaTrac and USM representatives and reviewed a 20-page scientific project document to distill the information down to a two-sided case study for promotion. After writing the case study, A.WordSmith designed it into the following branded, easy-to-read and digestible flyer (click to view .PDF).

To promote the case study to SeaTrac’s highly targeted audience of hydrographers and other marine researchers, A.WordSmith planned the purchase of an advertising e-blast by Hydro International, a leading industry publication. A.WordSmith designed the e-blast, which drove viewers to a special SeaTrac landing page where they could submit a form to view the PDF flyer of the case study. On the scheduled send date, A.WordSmith also sent an emailed press release to industry media for story pickups.

Anecdotally, SeaTrac says it is thrilled with the results and was expecting only a handful of leads from these efforts. For a startup, this response is a phenomenal testament to the power of thoughtful, well-designed email marketing.

As a result of this work, A.WordSmith earned a 2024 Honorable Mention MarCom Award recognizing outstanding achievement. Approximately 13 percent of the 6,500 international entries are named Honorable Mention winners.