On Saturday, July 23, Pineland Telephone Cooperative was recognized by the National Content and Technology Cooperative (NCTC) Marketing Innovators Group, Best of Marketing Awards, for their recent All Star Service campaign.  The campaign, which was selected as the winner in the Community Outreach genre, featured Pineland employees remaking classic movies.

Launched in early 2021, following a year guided by the effects of a pandemic, forcing separation and distance, Pineland saw an opportunity to provide a boost of laughter and engaged humor to the communities it serves, as well as bring the company’s departments together.  The campaign starred 36 employees, three employees’ children, two employees’ dogs, covered fifteen movies, and wrapped in July of this year.    

“In the beginning, the individuals asked to participate were selected because of their outgoing nature and eagerness to do whatever was needed in the past,” commented Amy Harrison, Director of Sales and Marketing.  “As the campaign neared its end, we continued to have employees ask which movie role would be theirs.  This campaign turned into a fun way to bring almost every Pineland family member into the marketing plan.”

Consisting of print and electronic advertisements, the ads appeared in Pineland’s quarterly newsletter and were distributed in local newspapers, magazines, and across Pineland’s social media platforms.  Two versions of “All-Star” billboards were displayed in Metter, Georgia, home to Pineland’s main office.  Several of the ads were transformed into actual movie posters and adorn the lobbies of the Metter and Swainsboro business offices.  At this year’s Annual Meeting, All Star Service was the theme.

“We have seen engagement and comments from across the country with staff traveling to other regions being asked about the campaign,” explained CEO and “Top One” star Dustin Durden.  “It has generated more buzz than any campaign or ad series to date.”

As a souvenir of their time on set, all employees that participated received a mousepad or coffee mug featuring their movie ad. 

Davis Marketing Company, based in Statesboro, GA, assisted in brainstorming the concept, coordinated the photo shoots, designed the actual advertisements, and handled the implementation across social media platforms.

Pineland serves over 1,300 square miles with its traditional Phone and Internet services in all or parts of ten counties in South Georgia. In its 71st year, 100% of Pineland’s Phone and Internet customers receive their services via a dedicated Fiber-to-the-Home network offering Gigabit enabled broadband connections. Pineland’s mission is to offer an outstanding customer experience through the efficient delivery of progressive technology solutions in the markets served. We will achieve this mission by applying our Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, and a Servant’s Heart in everything we do.

The National Content and Technology Cooperative (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation that operates as a programming, broadband solutions and hardware purchasing organization for its member companies serving 40 million broadband and video customers throughout the U.S. and its territories. NCTC seeks to maximize current and future opportunities to ensure the profitability, competitive stature and long-term sustainability of its member companies. NCTC represents more than 700 independent cable and broadband operators across the U.S., in programming and technology acquisition. NCTC is actively engaged in helping network providers and suppliers evolve their business models to deploy new video/data solutions to match the changes in the media landscape.