By Elizabeth Morrisey
SCBIZ Daily Staff

GREENVILLE -- The Upstate Alliance’s “I Was Blown Away” marketing campaign has received five awards from the Southern Economic Development Council’s 2008 Literature & Promotions Competition.

“It reaffirmed that other people think it’s a great campaign, like we do,” says Jennifer Miller, research manager for the Upstate Alliance.

It was the first regional marketing campaign by the Upstate and sought to create an identity for the area. The campaign has included nine commercials, a micro Web site, 19 resident testimonials, three print advertisements, promotional items and billboards.

“I Was Blown Away” received a superior rating and both Best in Class and Best in Show. The commercials and Web site also received superior ratings.

Since its launch in May, the “I Was Blown Away” Web site (www.iwasblownaway.com) has had more than 10,000 visitors, representing all 50 states and 33 countries. The Upstate Alliance continues work on a marketing plan to extend the campaign.

“It hasn’t reached its full capability – how we use it and the best way to continue pushing it,” Miller says. “There are a lot of options.”

The SEDC’s annual competition is judged by economic development consultants and practitioners around the southern United States that work with clients in developing marketing strategies for growth in their communities. Entries are based on graphic appeal, clarity of the message, quality of the message and positioning.