SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards 2009
The 2009 entry deadline has passed. All
entrants should have received a letter in late April notifying them
of their status.
Download the 8.5" x 11" Entry Form 
View the slide presentation (.ppt) from the January 15
Q&A session (including sample clarification
statement)
(note: file size 3 MB, may take a few minutes to
download)
Open to both
SMPS Members and Nonmembers, US and International Firms. First-,
second-, and third-place and small-firm winners will be announced on
stage at the Awards Gala in Las Vegas, NV, on July 16, 2009, during
Build Business (www.buildbusiness.org), the 2009 SMPS National
Conference.
2009 MCA Call For Entries Brochure
Entry
Categories | Submittal Requirements | FAQs |View Previous
Year's Winning Entries | 2009 Sponsorship Opportunities
Entry Categories: Print and
Electronic submissions accepted for most categories!
Materials completed between January
2007 and December 2008 will be accepted for the 2009
competition.
NOTE: Most categories are open to both
print and electronic communications. Check the category descriptions
below for details.
Entries that fail to follow Submittal Requirements will be
penalized. Jurors’ decisions are final.
1.
ADVERTISING
An individual advertisement or ad campaign, any size, color or black and
white, placed in business, trade, or general-interest publications
(print or electronic). Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the ad, or one copy of
each ad if a series.
2. ANNUAL
REPORT
A print or electronic publication containing a
company’s annual highlights and financial results.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the annual
report.
3. BOOK/MONOGRAPH
A complete printed publication that addresses an issue of
relevance to the A/E/C industry or features the work of a firm. The
publication must be professionally produced for mass distribution. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the
book/monograph.
4.
BROCHURE
A print or electronic publication describing your
firm’s general capabilities. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the printed brochure,
or three copies of a printout of an electronic brochure and a disk
containing the brochure file for viewing.
5. CORPORATE
IDENTITY
A consistent graphic image applied to your firm’s
print and/or electronic collateral materials. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and a representative sampling of
materials that convey your firm’s corporate identity. May include
logo application such as letterhead, business cards, brochures,
newsletters, and note cards. If available, the corporate identity manual
or graphics standards should be included.
6. DIRECT-MAIL
CAMPAIGN
Marketing materials designed to reach a specific target
audience through a print or electronic campaign. A
direct-mail campaign may include form letters, pamphlets, postcards, and
announcements. Submittal Requirements Three copies
of the clarification statement and all the pieces in a series of
mailings. If the campaign was conducted via electronic mail, please save
the pieces on a disk, print samples of all pieces, and include both in
the submittal binder.
7. FEATURE
WRITING
An article or white paper published in print or
electronically, written by a member of the firm, to meet a
public relations objective. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the
article.
8. HOLIDAY PIECE
A piece such as a card, party invitation, client appreciation
gift, calendar, etc. produced for one-time use during a specific
holiday. May be print or electronic. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the printed materials.
Please send materials in the original packaging if possible. If the
materials do not fit in the submittal binder, please include a
photograph of them.
9. INTERNAL
COMMUNICATIONS
Any communications vehicle intended for an employee audience, including
but not limited to a recognition program, awards program, intranets, or
communications associated with mergers, acquisitions, or new
business-line initiatives. May be print or electronic.
(Category does not include employee newsletters; see Category
13.) Submittal Requirements Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials.
10. MAGAZINE
A printed serial publication or periodical in editorial format
that presents one or more points of view. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the three most recent
issues of the magazine.
11. MEDIA RELATIONS
CAMPAIGN
A strategic communications effort that uses media relations tactics and
outreach—media releases, feature articles, backgrounders,
opinion/editorial (op-ed) pieces, editorial meetings are some
examples—to achieve a specific marketing, business development or
corporate image goal. This category focuses solely on outreach and
success with the media and may include print and/or
electronic components. Submittal Requirements Three
copies of the clarification statement and three copies of your media
relations plan that outlines goals and objectives. Samples of placements
and other results must be included.
12.
NEWSLETTER–EXTERNAL
An external, client-focused publication designed in a newsletter format
and produced via print or electronic media. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the last three issues
of the newsletter. If an electronic newsletter, please include in the
submittal binder a CD containing the last three issues of the
publication and three print samples of each newsletter.
13.
NEWSLETTER–INTERNAL
An internal, employee-focused publication designed in a
newsletter format and produced via print or electronic
media. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of the last three issues
of the newsletter. If an electronic newsletter, please include in the
submittal binder a CD containing the last three issues of the
publication and three print samples of each newsletter.
14. PROMOTIONAL
CAMPAIGN
A comprehensive, multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended
period of time to promote a specific company message, event, program, or
project. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and
media—print, electronic or multimedia—and
implementation strategies. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and three copies of your promotional plan
describing campaign focus and objectives. Submit one copy of any
collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media
relations was part of the campaign, please submit one copy of
releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. If any
tactic (trade show display, for example) cannot fit into the three-ring
binder, please submit a photograph.
15. SPECIAL
EVENT
A print or electronic piece produced for one-time use
to promote a special event such as an anniversary, new name, office
opening, dedication, or ground breaking. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials. Please
send materials in the original packaging if possible. Materials that do
not fit in the submittal binder should be photographed.
16. SPECIFIC PROJECT
MARKETING
An item or series of items developed in support of winning one specific
project. Materials may be print and/or electronic and
include qualification packages, proposals, PowerPoint presentations,
leave-behinds, or anything else that contributed to the total effort. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials. Materials
that do not fit in the submittal binder should be
photographed.
17. TARGET
MARKETING
A print or electronic piece produced to market
a particular service, discipline, or capability to a specific audience.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials. Please
send materials in the original packaging if possible. Materials that do
not fit in the submittal binder should be photographed.
18. WEB
SITE
A Web site that either promotes your firm or has been launched by your
firm for a specific project. Submittal Requirements: Three copies
of the clarification statement that include your web address. While
judges will visit your site, please print and include in the submittal
binder 5–10 pages of your Web site including your home page. Web
pages will be viewed using the latest version of Internet
Explorer.
Not sure which category to
enter your project? E-mail your questions to Christine Chirichella,
800.292.7677, x227, or christine@smps.org or Michele
Santiago, michele@smps.org, x245.
FAQs
Below are answers to a few
important questions that come up every year.
What is a clarification statement?
A clarification statement is a brief document that explains what your
entry is about. Here is the information regarding the clarification
statements that is listed on the Submittal
Requirements section:
Three copies of the clarification statement must accompany each entry
and follow the order and guidelines listed below. (It is fine to put the
clarification statement copies into one sleeve.) Please provide answers
to all questions in the following format: 10-12 pt font size, 1-1/2 or
double spaced. The clarification statement should not exceed two
pages. You are encouraged to use bullets to outline your
answers, as jurors have limited time to review each submittal. Please
print the entry category, firm name, and entry title on each page of the
clarification statement in the upper right corner.
1. YOUR FIRM'S MARKETING OBJECTIVE
a. Goals: Clearly state your marketing goals. What did your firm hope to
achieve with the piece or program? How do you intend to measure your
results against the goals?
b. Target Audience: Who was the audience for this piece or program?
Characterize the composition, size, and location of your target audience
(e.g., 250 CEOs and senior managers of the top 500 leaders of the
California high-tech industry).
2. THE CONTENT OF THE PIECE OR PROGRAM
a. Research, Planning, and Implementation: What market research was
conducted prior to the planning of the piece or program? Describe the
production and delivery method. Was an outside consulting or graphic
design firm used?
b. Message: What is/are the key message(s) intended for this piece,
site, or program?
c. Distinction: Explain your thought process in making your piece or
program stand out from the crowd (i.e., why did you use the media you
chose, what differentiates your piece or program, what was your thinking
about distinguishing your firm from others)?
3. THE RESULTS OF THE MARKETING COMMUNICATION EFFORT
Below are examples of measurable results you MAY want to
include on your clarification statement
a. Did your results achieve your marketing goals and how?
b. Did you reach the target audience? What was the intended response?
What was the response rate?
c. What actions did the target audience take upon receiving the
materials?
d. What was your breakeven goal for profit/loss and did you achieve
it?
e. Did you meet specific sales goals?
f. Did you gain new clients?
g. Did you get the projects you hoped to get?
4. BUDGET AND COST DATA
List your:
i. Budget $ ________________
ii. Actual total cost $ ________________ (i.e., materials, printing,
delivery) If this figure includes labor, please indicate.
What is the late
submission deadline?
All late submissions must be received by
SMPS (not postmarked) no later than March 12,
2009.
Do I need to create a cover sheet for
the binder?
No, only the entry form and copy of check need to be in the
front cover slip. You may do a cover/title sheet inside the binder, in
front of the table of contents, but not required.
Who can enter the SMPS
National Marketing Communications Awards Program?
The competition is open to both SMPS Members and Nonmembers, US
and International Firms.
What is the time frame
of when materials have to be completed?
All entries must have been created and completed between
January 2007 and December 2008 for the 2009 competition.
What is the definition of a small firm? A small firm is defined as a firm with annual revenues of $4.5
million or less for the entire firm, not just the local office entering
the competition. If your firm qualifies, mark the “Small
Firm” box on the entry form. Outside consulting or graphic design
firms can only use the small-firm designation if the client for whom the
entry materials were created meets the small-firm
criteria.
What is the entry deadline? Submissions must be delivered or postmarked by March 2, 2009 or
they will be assessed a late fee. All late submissions must be received
by SMPS (not postmarked) no later than March 12, 2009.
How much does it cost to enter?
SMPS Members: $270 for the first entry;
$170 per each additional entry, (member number required on entry
form)
Nonmembers: $335 for the first entry; $235 per each additional
entry
Late fee: $50 per entry
Where do I send my Entries?
Send your entries to SMPS National at:
SMPS MCA Entry
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 444
Alexandria, VA 22314
Who do I make checks payable to? Society for
Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
What if my entry is too big to fit in a binder? Use
large metal binder clips or rubber bands to attach items (e.g., book,
magazine, etc.), that do not fit in the clear plastic sleeves. Any
materials that cannot be placed in a binder (such as clothing, hard
hats, etc.) must be illustrated with a photograph. Inclusion of such
materials in their actual form is elective, not mandatory.
What if my submission is late? Late
submissions (postmarked after March 2) require an additional $50
fee per submission, which must accompany the entry. All late submissions must be received by SMPS
(not postmarked) no later than March 12,
2009.
What happens to my entry—will my materials be
returned? Materials will not be returned. All
entries become the property of SMPS and may be displayed during SMPS
educational events as examples of best practices in marketing
communications. Empty binders will be recycled to a local Atlanta school
or organization in need.
How are winners notified? In May, a
notification letter will be mailed to the contact listed on each entry
form explaining the status of the entry and including juror comments and
trends from judging day. Winners will be notified of the categories in
which their respective firms placed. Rankings within each category will
be announced at the Awards Gala on July 16, 2009, during Build Business
in Las Vegas, NV.
What is expected of my firm if it wins? Each winner is required to submit a display board and digital
photo of its entry. Display board specifications will be provided in the
notification letter. Winning entries will be displayed during Build
Business, the SMPS National Conference, July 15–18, 2009.
Participating firms are strongly encouraged to send at least one
representative to the conference to capitalize on exposure at the Awards
Gala on July 16, 2009. For more information on Build Business, visit www.buildbusiness.org.
What happens if I don’t follow the submittal
requirements? Entries that fail to follow
submittal requirements will be penalized. Jurors’ decisions are
final.
Previous SMPS National Marketing
Communication Award Winners
Click here for details on the 2008 winners.
Click here for a
two-page overview of winners.
Click here
for details on the 2007 winners.
Click here for details on the 2006 winners.
Click here for details on the 2005 winners.
Click here for details on the 2004 winners.
Click here for details on the 2003 winners.
Click here for details on the 2002 winners.
Click here for details on the 2001 winners.
Click here for details on the 2000 winners.
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