Boston Interactive & Percussion Win ‘Bank Standard of Excellence’ Award for FirstMerit Website

BOSTON - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Boston Interactive, a digital marketing agency, today announced that the FirstMerit Bank website (www.firstmerit.com) has been named a winner in the Web Marketing Association’s 2013 WebAwards. Implemented by Boston Interactive partner Percussion Software, this is the fifth website that the companies have launched in partnership.

The new FirstMerit website combines interactive content and online tools to serve as a valuable resource for both existing and prospective customers. The homepage features four dynamic slides that automatically rotate to showcase personality of the FirstMerit team through vibrant photography. Boston Interactive verified the effectiveness of this feature as well as the overall website architecture using their state-of-the-art eye tracking lab. This extensive usability testing assures the website’s ability to provide an intuitive user experience while ultimately aligning with FirstMerit’s business goals.

“In the age of multi-channel access to information, it was important to us to have a website that renders elegantly on all devices, from smartphones to tablets to desktop computers. Working with Boston Interactive and Percussion Software gave us the ability to provide online information to site visitors no matter how they access it,” said Julie Tutkovics, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, FirstMerit Bank.

"We're thrilled to see FirstMerit setting the standard for the online experience for financial services companies.  Having the ability to implement a fresh and intuitive design is a huge advantage for organizations since the website has become the primary source of information for most consumers and business owners. FirstMerit has not only launched a great design, but they have the tools to be able to evolve it going forward." Says Dan Flanigan, VP of Products at Percussion.

Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association's annual WebAward Competition has been setting the standard of excellence for Website development. Independent expert judges from around the world review sites in 96 industries. The best are recognized with a WebAward which helps interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. The WebAward Competition is the premier award recognition program for Web developers and marketers worldwide.

About FirstMerit - FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of approximately $23.5 billion as of June 30, 2013, and 416 banking offices and 452 ATM locations in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania. FirstMerit provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core operations. Principal affiliates include: FirstMerit Bank, N.A., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd., and FirstMerit Community Development Corporation. For more information, visit us at firstmerit.com (http://www.firstmerit.com/).

About Boston Interactive - Boston Interactive is a digital marketing agency that combines custom strategy and emerging technology to deliver effective user experiences through web, mobile, and social channels. Since 1999 we have partnered with over 400 clients across all industries to help their organizations achieve online success. Through our user-centric process and focus on outcomes, we’re here to provide your company with a digital presence that not only looks good, but achieves your business goals. More information about Boston Interactive can be found at www.bostoninteractive.com.

About Percussion Software - Recently named a “Top 50 Web Content Management Company” by Website Magazine, Percussion’s software enables marketers to take control over your web content management and content marketing strategies to increase traffic, drive revenue, improve engagement, and create compelling online customer experiences. Delivered in a highly usable and affordable product package, hundreds of leading companies, education institutions, and government agencies are using Percussion to lower the costs of their content strategies and gain the flexibility to address “What’s Next” on the web. Leading customers include vegas.com, AutoTrader.com, Rentokil, Watchguard Technologies, Lancaster Bible College, Sunoco, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Corpus Christi, Boston Technologies, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. To learn more, visit www.percussion.com.

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Boston Interactive Contact

Sara Murray

Marketing Manager

617.241.7977

Percussion Contact

Alexis Karlin

Digital Marketing & Operations Manager

781-835-1226

FirstMerit Bank

Rob Townsend

Media Relations Officer

330-384-7075