RPO Scores Big in RBJ's Best of the Web

 

Rochester, NY– The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s web site (www.rpo.org) was recognized this morning at the Rochester Business Journal’s annual “Best of the Web” competition with two awards, first place in the non-profit/community category and a silver second place overall award.  The RPO’s revamped web site was developed by Corporate Communications and the RPO’s webmaster and Assistant Director of Marketing and PR Janice Hanson, and went live in mid-August. 

 

According to the RBJ, this year’s five judges hailed from Rochester and from out-of-town in order to bring a fresh perspective to the process.  They individually evaluated the finalist sites based on site content, usefulness, design quality, e-commerce and the likelihood of drawing repeat visits.  The judges gave particular kudos to the RPO website for its interactive calendar feature with links to events, calling it “pre-emptively usable,” with “great design,” “easy to navigate,” and “good use of cross-promotion,” creating “a sense of excitement about the RPO and its community.” 

Webmaster Janice Hanson accepted the awards with Matthew Mitchell, vice president of Corporate Communications.  “It’s exciting to be recognized for the effort we’ve put into making this site successfully reflect the creativity and the excellence of the Orchestra,” said Hanson. 

This year, RBJ readers submitted hundreds of nominations for the 2007 competition.  The screening committee also reviewed dozens more from previous years and other lists.  This year’s 24 finalists included large and small companies, non-profit organizations and blogs.  The two other finalists in the non-profit/community category were the Memorial Art Gallery and the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation.

Now in its 84th season, the RPO inspires and enriches the community through the art of music.  The Orchestra is passionately dedicated to outstanding musical performance at the highest artistic levels, and has a unique tradition of musical versatility, commitment to music education in the broadest sense and a deep and enduring engagement with the community.  The RPO has been honored with the New York State Governor’s Arts Award, and two recent ASCAP awards for adventurous programming.