SARASOTA, Fla. – January 19, 2009 – The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has selected Internet marketing firm atLarge, Inc. to spearhead its digital strategy including its Web site and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Campaign. The firm beat out 10 national companies bidding for the project.

Though there were many factors in the decision-making process, SCVB President Virginia Haley said it came down to a “shared vision to innovatively promote Sarasota and Her Islands on a regional, national and international scale.” Haley said atLarge’s approach demonstrated the technical and strategic innovation the SCVB needs to stay one step ahead of competing CVB’s with higher advertising budgets and larger marketing teams.

“We are a smaller but very nimble CVB who thinks out of the box often forging a different path from other CVB’s when it comes to tackling challenges. We needed a partner that not only understands this, but can anticipate and implement the strategies to take our online branding and internal as well as external communications to the next level. That’s what we see in atLarge,” said SCVB Marketing Director Anne Zavorskas.

The selection committee, whose expertise ranged from technology integration to destination marketing, spent three months conducting a comprehensive review of national candidates before determining atLarge, Inc. was the best fit for their strategic and technical needs. 

atLarge, Inc. President Anand Pallegar said he’s eager to begin building on SCVB’s already impressive online presence. “We look forward to leveraging technology to deliver meaningful, complete data about online behaviors and to creating unique online experiences for visitors seeking, vacation, special event and meeting information.”

The year-long project will be initiated immediately.

About the SCVB
The Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau is the sales and marketing organization contracted by the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Sarasota County. The tourism industry is a leading economic engine for the region, with 4 million visitors generating a $2 billion economic impact and nearly 17,000 local jobs in 2007.

About atLarge, Inc.
atLarge, Inc. is a privately held interactive advertising agency focused on building client brands through compelling, online experiences. Founded in Sarasota in 2004, the firm specializes in all facets of Internet brand development including Web site development, analytics, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing and usability design. atLarge has elevated sales and brand awareness for a range of influential companies such as ActionQuest, Admiral Travel, BBDO, Detroit Regional Chamber, Dictor|Martin, Ford Motor Company, Hoveround, Michael's On East, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota Economic Development Corporation, Sarasota Film Festival, Sarasota News and Books, Summit Hotels and The Observer Group.