2008 SMPS National Marketing Communications Awards

SMPS congratulates all 2008 Marketing Communications Award winners! Click here for a press release outlining all the first-place winners. Please click here to view the names of the finalists in each category listed alphabetically (NOT by ranking).

First-, second-, and third-place and small-firm winners were announced on stage at the Awards Gala in Denver, CO, on August 7, during Build Business (www.buildbusiness.org), the 2008 SMPS/PSMA National Conference.

Information about the 2009 Call for Entries will be posted soon!

Open to both SMPS Members and Nonmembers, US and International Firms

2008 MCA Entry Form (pdf download)

2008 MCA Call For Entries Complete Brochure (pdf download) (684K)

Entry Categories | Submittal Requirements  | FAQs |View Previous Year's Winning Entries | Sponsorship Opportunities

2009 Entry Categories
Materials completed between January 2007 and December 2008 will be accepted for the 2009 competition.

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 printed 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 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 printed 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 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. 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 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 SMPS Director of Online Services, Molly Dall’Erta at molly@smps.org, or call 800.292.7677, x231.

FAQs
Below are 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. 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?
The 2009 submission deadline will be posted soon.

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?
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? Submission deadline will be posted soon for 2009 competition.

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

Where do I send my Entries?
Entry address will be posted soon for 2009 competition.

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 require an additional $50 fee per submission, which must accompany the entry.

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.

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 MCA 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 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.