VFW Reintroduces Itself with New Ektron-powered Website

NASHUA, N.H., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ektron, a web content management, social software and marketing optimization solutions provider, today announced that the nation's oldest major veterans group, the Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW), has deployed a complete redesign of its website – www.vfw.org  – on the Ektron platform.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100709/MM19483LOGO )

"It was imperative that as demand for VFW programs and services grows we define ourselves to the public in a clear and concise manner," says Randi Law, VFW communications coordinator. "That can best be accomplished online, which drove our decision for a complete redesign of vfw.org."

The vfw.org site refresh was undertaken by Ektron Elite Partner VML, a member of Ektron's highest and most exclusive partner tier.  "VML recommended the Ektron Web Content Management system after listening to our challenges and goals," says Law. "We were looking for a content management system which would not only answer our immediate needs but also provide us with the ability to extend our web presence into the future. Ektron offered a  dynamic and extensive platform that's easy to use, empowering our developers and content authors alike."

"VFW wanted a new site to clearly communicate and connect with the public," says Martin Coady, director of technical strategy at VML.  "We made the Ektron solution the foundation of the digital strategy developed for the VFW to meet their long term goals. The partnership with Ektron allowed us to easily deliver a solution that balances the needs of delivering rich experiences to users and allowing the VFW team to manage and extend that experience into the future."

Launched in October 2010, the new Ektron-powered website has already seen a significant increase in both visitors and membership applications for the VFW itself.

"Since our October launch, we've seen a 16 percent increase in site visits and a 56 percent increase in page views," says Randi Law. "We also noticed an immediate increase in new member applications and inquiries into our programs and services – a 25 percent increase compared against the same time frame a month earlier.  Clearly, our new website is meeting the goals we set out to accomplish."

The full vfw.org case study can be read at http://ektron.com/Case-Studies/Non-Profit-/-Association/Veterans-of-Foreign-Wars/

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars

The nation's oldest major veterans group, the VFW is an organization of more than 1.4 million veterans who have served overseas in war zones or areas demanding arduous duty. Our mission extends to those troops serving overseas and their families waiting back home. VFW's four main objectives—preserving and extending veterans rights, advocating a strong national defense, promoting patriotism and serving local communities—are the core of our existence. For more information, please visit www.vfw.org.

About VML

An Ektron Elite Partner, VML engineers best-in-class digital experiences for some of the most respected and recognized brands in the world.  For its valued client partners, VML provides digital planning strategy; enterprise level site design (including software development, architecture implementation and systems integration), software development based on user-centric design; internet search, including SEO and SEM; mobile marketing, emerging technologies; social networking; and digital media planning and buying.  VML is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with principal offices in New York City, Seattle and London.  For more information, please visit www.vml.com.

About Ektron

By integrating web content management (WCM), marketing optimization and social software, Ektron's software and solutions improve operational efficiency, drive revenue growth and build customer loyalty. Ektron empowers marketers to create, publish and optimize web content that engages, converts and retains customers. Developers benefit from Ektron's extensibility and commitment to the Microsoft .NET framework. Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, with offices in Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, Ektron has more than 8,000 customers worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Diageo, Home Depot, International Chamber of Commerce,  Kodak, Microsoft, NASDAQ, National Health Services UK, Saint-Gobain, The Law Society, and the University of Notre Dame. For more information, please visit www.ektron.com, www.ektron.co.uk or www.ektron.com.au.

Ektron, the Ektron logo and eIntranet are trademarks of Ektron Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Ektron