Power play from online marketing

Online digital marketing and database management company PowerText Systems is targeting new sectors for business after securing a dominant position in the UK leisure services market.

PowerText’s software enables companies to run marketing campaigns, sending texts, e-mail flyers and other marketing material to target groups of potential customers held on a secure databases which forms part of the system.

“We store data on around 3.2 million customers on behalf of our clients and broadcast over 3 million messages each month,” says PowerText Systems’ commercial director Dan Brookman.

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“We are constantly in touch with our clients, providing innovative ideas and solutions that drive an increased return on investment than traditional marketing.

“We now have dedicated staff in London as well as Sheffield providing valuable support in line with our clients needs in this fast paced industry."

Loans totalling 65,000 from South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF) have enabled the Sheffield city centre-based business to employ a full time sales person and a credit controller and to invest in developing its software so that it can be used beyond the leisure services sector.

“We are now dominant in the UK leisure services and there was a need to explore other areas to expand the company,” says Dan Brookman.

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PowerText were introduced to the SYIF funding by John Phillips from Mercia Corporate Finance a Sheffield based business consultancy.

SYIF investment director, Karl Hodson, says: "PowerText has capitalised on using the latest technology to generate business and promote leisure services in the region.

“It is this forward thinking which has seen it enjoy success in their first three years."COMPANIES with cutting edge innovations are being invited to submit entries for The Star's Made in Sheffield Award.

The Award – now entering its tenth year – turns the spotlight on modern day businesses that are renewing and reinforcing the city's long-standing reputation for world-beating quality and innovation.

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Entries are invited from any company or individual that has developed a product, process or service that demonstrates the quality and innovation associated with the phrase Made in Sheffield, and could enhance the city's reputation throughout the world.

Companies from outside the city can submit entries, but they must have operations in Sheffield, and the development must have taken place within the city.

All entrants need to do is outline their innovative development and how it meets the criteria for the Award, in around 250 words.

Then, send it with their contact details to: Made in Sheffield Award, Bob Rae, Industrial Editor, The Star, York Street, Sheffield, S1 1PU, to arrive by Friday, November 2.

Shortlisted entries will be featured in Star Business.

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The three finalists will be invited to the Made in Sheffield gala celebration towards the end of November, where they will be presented with the Made in Sheffield trophy.

Previous speakers at the celebration have included the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer; the late Robin Cook, when he was Foreign Secretary; Charles Clarke, when he was Home Secretary; the last governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, when he was a European Commissioner; and Peter Mandelson and Patricia Hewitt, when they held the post of Trade and Industry Secretary.

Further details about this year's Made in Sheffield celebration, including speakers and sponsors, will be released closer to the event.

Further information about the Made in Sheffield Award is available from Star Industrial Editor, Bob Rae, tel: (0114) 252 1353 or e-mail [email protected].

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