Recently, SMPS interviewed Pat Mosher, vice president and director of corporate communications with HNTB, regarding her firm’s experience participating in the SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards (MCA) and the effort her team puts into preparing its entries. HNTB won first-place awards in the 2011 MCA Magazine, Media Relations Campaign, and Social Media (non-traditional) categories and second place in the Feature Writing and Video/Podcast.

SMPS: Why did you enter the MCA competition?
HNTB: The SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards Program is the only one in the industry to recognize communication work in the professional services design and building industry. Entering our work allows for it to be evaluated by others within the industry, providing us relevant feedback on how our work compares to others in the industry.

SMPS: What about these award-winning projects are you most proud?
HNTB: I am proud of the high-quality work that is produced and targeted to our specific audiences. I am proud that it received recognition and was judged among similar firms’ projects.

SMPS: What do you think made your entries stand out from the competition?
HNTB: Both the presentation of our materials and the written explanation of each program made our entries stand out. By thoroughly explaining our program and why a specific tactic was chosen, our thought process was clearly outlined. Each entry also contained the results of the specific program so we demonstrated how it was measurable.

SMPS: What does this recognition mean to you and to your firm?
HNTB: This industry recognition means a lot to our firm. Our work being judged as award-winning among our peers is valuable, especially as we evaluate the effectiveness of our programs regularly.

SMPS: How did you share the news about winning this award?
HNTB: We notified firm leadership via email about the award win and posted an internal story about the win so employees across the firm were aware.

SMPS: What did you learn from the other winning entries on display at Build Business?
HNTB: The work of many firms is outstanding and there is a lot of creativity in the marketing efforts.

SMPS: If you have entered MCA more than once, what keeps you coming back?
HNTB: The fact that this award program measures us against our peers.

SMPS: Do you have any advice for future entrants on how to plan/prepare a winning entry?
HNTB: Think through why the communications approach was taken and define what the results were. By succinctly developing your plan, judges can understand the approach, challenges, and accomplishments.

For information on entering the 2012 MCA competition—including categories descriptions, submittal requirements, and the entry form—visit the MCA web page. The discounted entry deadline is March 1 (postmarked), and the final entry deadline is March 15 (must be delivered by this date to the SMPS National Office to compete).

Pictured below is HNTB’s winning Magazine entry.