2013 WMA Award Calendar Announced

The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the dates for its three industry-leading award programs for 2013.

Internet Advertising Competition
11th Call for Entry began November 1, 2012
Deadline for entry: January 31, 2013
Winners announced: March, 2013

WebAward Competition for Website Development
17th Call for Entry: April 2, 2013
Deadline for entry: May 31, 2013
Winners announced: September, 2013

MobileWebAwards
2nd Call for Entry began August 12, 2013
Deadline for entry: September 30, 2013
Winners announced: November, 2013

Please note: winners announcement dates are subject to the needs of the judging phase and will be announced when they are set during the competition.

Please be sure to add your name to our mailing list to be notified when any of our competitions begin.

You can also follow us on the WMA Facebook Page and the WMA LinkedIn Group.

SES London

If your competition is ahead of you in the digital stakes then we can guarantee that they will probably be in the front row at SES London on the 18-21 February at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London getting essential facetime with the leading digital marketing experts.

With 3 days packed full of essential content to help you navigate the digital landscape and a 2-day expo featuring leading vendors in the industry, along with a host of networking opportunities, SES London 2013 will once again be the leading forum for digital marketers.

As a partner of SES London, we are able to offer discounted tickets. Register today and enter SESL13004 in VIP Code to receive the discounted rates.

WMA SmartBrief Newsletter

By now you should have already seen the new daily newsletter created for the Web Marketing Association by SmartBrief, Inc. Knowledgeable editors handpick key articles from hundreds of publications, summarize them and provide direct links to the original sources that will provide you with the daily web development and marketing news that really matters.

If you are not subscribed yet you can subscribe to the WMA SmartBrief here.

If you are interested in advertising in the WMA SmartBrief, the only way to reach our members, please contact Dena Malouf, SmartBrief Association Publisher at 202-407-7837.

Online Marketing Summit, San Diego

Online Marketing Summit San Diego, February 11-13, 2013 at the San Diego Convention Center, connects marketers with the knowledge, experts and technologies that are transforming digital marketing and business. Join us for three days of 70+ conference sessions and workshops across eight tracks and discover the latest insights on analytics & big data, content marketing, demand generation, email, mobile, search, social, and strategy.

Register Today and use code CMWMA1 for 25% off Conference Passes or get a Free Expo Pass.

New Media Expo and BusinessNext Social Conference

Here are two of the top Internet Marketing Conferences that we will be supporting this Fall. They offer a great opportunity to keep up with current trends and to meet key people within the industry.

New Media Expo (NMX)(Formerly BlogWorld)
January 6-8
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Join thousands of your peers from across the globe at the must-attend conference & tradeshow for bloggers, podcasters, video creators and social media innovators, New Media Expo in Las Vegas, presented by BlogWorld! Enjoy 3 value-packed days of sessions, networking and cutting-edge knowledge from over 170 speakers that will bring your content quality, marketing, audience and monetization to a whole new level. Learn from the pros including: Leo Laporte, Host & Producer of TWiT.tv, Dana White, President of The UFC; C.C. Chapman, Co-Author of Content Rules; Rand Fishkin, Founder & CEO of SEOMoz and dozens more.

Register now and use Code WMA10 to save 10% off your ticket.

BusinessNext Social
January 6-8
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino,Las Vegas

Join peers from across the globe at the must-attend conference for social business and marketing pros, BusinessNext Social in Las Vegas! Enjoy 3 value-packed days of sessions, networking and cutting-edge knowledge that will transform your business. Learn from luminaries including: Dana White, President of The UFC; Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment; Ethan McCarty, Global Director of Social Strategy at IBM and dozens more. Plus...The Winklevoss Twins (of Facebook fame) will announce their next social media venture LIVE. Don't miss this important event!

Register now and use Code WMA10 to save 10% off your ticket.

Win A Free Pass To the BusinessNext Social Conference. To enter, Simply enter your name and contact info on the Web Marketing Association Contest Page Deadline for entry is December 19th.

Top 5 articles last month on WMA SmartBrief

Each month, the Web Marketing Association reports the top articles appearing in the WMA SmartBrief daily newsletter. Subscribe to the free WMA SmartBrief here.

Here are the Top 5 WMA SmartBrief Articles for November, 2012

Behind the scenes with an Obama banner-ad designer
7 must-have tools for Web designers
Custom news sites give big brands a digital megaphone
Obama's victory could hinder digital marketers
8 ways to make your footers less boring

EContent Magazine

EContent is a Web Marketing Association Sponsor and a leading authority on the businesses of digital publishing, media, and marketing, targeting executives and decision-makers in these fast-changing markets. By covering the latest tools, strategies, and thought-leaders in the digital content ecosystem, EContent magazine and EContentmag.com keep professionals ahead of the curve in order to maximize their investment in digital content strategies while building sustainable, profitable business models.

Subscribe to EContent Magazine today.

Best Websites for Advertising to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best websites used as advertising in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

“Websites are an effective advertising tool to build brand awareness and engage consumers on a global scale,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to show the world your expertise you ability to develop a website as an advertising vehicle. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

The IAC Awards were developed to evaluate and recognize innovation and excellence in online advertising which includes a category for Websites. The Web Marketing Assocation’s WebAward Competition for Website Development will focus on the entire Web site, with particular emphasis on the creativity and functionality of the overall interactive experience. Websites entered into the Website category of the IAC Awards will be judged based on their advertising merit. A site can be entered in both the IAC Awards and the WebAward Competition.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Saatchi & Saatchi LA won 2012 Best of Show for Websites for their work on The Camry Effect.

Past top winners in the Website category include:

2011 Rockfish for America's Health Rankings

2010 Biggs|Gilmore for FrootLoops.com

2009 Verizon, NFL Network, Communifx for Verizon and NFL Network Online Demo


Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. In the 10th annual IAC Awards, Saatchi & Saatchi LA was recognized with the 2012 Top Agency Award, winning 17 IAC Awards. Their awards include 7 Best of Industry awards and 10 Outstanding awards.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Best Online Newsletters to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online newsletters of 2013 in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

“Online newsletters are a critical marketing tool for many companies trying to maintain an ongoing relationship with customers and prospects,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “Each online newsletter will be judged on copywriting, creativity, innovation, design, impact, and use of the medium. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating online newsletters. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

“We believe that winning an industry specific award is more valuable to the participant. It allows the participants to be judges against their peers, just like in the marketplace,” said Rice.

The 2012 Best of Show winner for Online Newsletters was Acxiom Creative for Bing Travel Horizontal Scroll. The newsletter was also recognized as the Best Directory or Search Engine Online Newsletter campaign.

Other Award Winning Online Newsletters included:
2011 Manulife Solutions
BlueRush Digital Media Corp.
2010 Online Newsletter campaign for VISIT FLORIDA
Miles Media
2009 Rice Krispies "The Spoonful"
Biggs|Gilmore
2008 FedEx LAC Sales Team Intranet Redesign
BGT Partners & FedEx
2007 CBSeal eNews
Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties
2006 Scudder Participant e-Newsletter
Scudder Retirement Services
2005 Buick Email Re-contact Program
i33 Communications, LLC

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at IACAward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on design, creativity, impact, innovation, copywriting, and use of the medium.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Website Magazine

If you're not already getting Website Magazine, you should be. There's no charge within the US and available for a small fee outside the U.S.(covers the extra shipping). It has great in depth articles that are helpful and well written. Use this link to sign up to receive the next issue.

Take your 'Net presence to the next level with Website Magazine Pro subscription, a digital publication distributed to over 145,000 Internet industry insiders. Receive practical guidance on search marketing, social media, web design, software and more each month. For just $44.95/yr, you'll have access to the techniques, trends and tactics you need to accelerate your Web success.

Website Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Pete Prestipino has also published a companion book for those looking to master the fundamentals of Web success. A perfect Internet training tool, Web 360 from Website Magazine covers a wide range of topics, from domain names and hosting to email and analytics and nearly everything else in between. Learn more at www.Web360book.com.

Web Marketing Association to Name Best Online Video Advertising Campaigns

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online video advertising in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising.

“Online video has exploded in popularity over the past few years as a form of advertising and it looks like this trend is likely to continue,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “Videos can be standalone viral projects, serials, or page-based creative. Each online video ad will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating online video. Winning awards is also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

Saatchi & Saatchi LA won Best of Show Online Video in the 2012 Internet Advertising Competition Awards for Yaris It's a Car! Web Films.

Other top winners from IAC Awards for best video include:
2011 Help Me Choose entered by Organic, Inc.
2010 Morningstar Farms Video Recipes entered by Biggs|Gilmore

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Best Mobile Websites and Best Mobile Apps to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best mobile applications and the best mobile websites in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at http://www.iacaward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

“While many mobile applications are tools that make life easier for millions of people, they also are an effective advertising tool to build brand awareness and engage consumers where ever they may be,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “Whether for the iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phones, mobile apps are becoming a must have marketing tool. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to show the world your expertise in this emerging field. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Nissan North America & Critical Mass won 2012 Best of Show for Mobile Apps for their work on Nissan Versa iPad Experience. The app also won Best Automobile Mobile Application.

Other top winners in the mobile category include:
2011 Eastbound & Down S2 - Kenny Powers Home Run Fiesta submitted by HBO
2010 Pizza Hut iPhone App submitted by imc2

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Best Email Advertising Campaigns to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best email advertising campaigns in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at www.IACward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

“Email marketing is the workhorse of online marketing for many companies trying to maintain an ongoing relationship with customers and prospects,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “The creative used in an email marketing campaign has gone from text only to highly personalized ads targeting highly segmented lists. Each email advertisement and campaign will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating email advertising. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects their outstanding work”.

The 2012 Best of Show winner for Email Campaign was VerticalResponse for VerticalResponse Customers Get Their Deal On.

Past Top Email Advertisements for include:
2011 Coffey Anderson - Email campaign submitted by CDMG Inc.
2010 PGATOUR.COM Scores Hole in One with Video in Email submitted by PGATOUR.COM and Datran Media's StormPost
2009 Symmetricom Next Generation Network Email Message Campaign submitted by Overdrive Interactive
2008 Get A Room submitted by Mr & Mrs Smith
2007 NASCAR.com/Datran Media for “TrackPass Scanner” Email Campaign submitted by NASCAR.com/Datran Media
2006 Aeroplan Member Welcome & Activation Sequence submitted by ThinData, Inc.
2005 Endo_Lidoderm Campaign submitted by TMX Healthcare


The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Best Social Media Advertising Campaigns to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best social media advertising campaigns as part of their 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at http://www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising.

“Marketers using social media, like Facebook and Linkedin, to engage consumers is exploding,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. Using either apps or pages can an effective advertising tool to build brand awareness and engage consumers using social media. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to show the world your expertise in this emerging field. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

The Visionaire Group won Best of Show Social Media campaign in the 2012 IAC Awards for The Source Code Mission, which also won Best Movie Social Media campaign.

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Best Online Apps to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards judges will select the best online apps of 2013 in 86 industries as part of their 11th annual program. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their online apps for consideration may do so at http://www.iacaward.org before the deadline of January 31, 2013.

“Online apps are an effective advertising tool to build brand awareness and engage consumers where ever they may be,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to show the world your expertise in this emerging field. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

The 2012 Best of Show for Interactive Applications went to Wendy's and The Kaplan Thaler Group for Beef Equity - Here's the Beef, which also won Best Food Industry and Interactive Application and Best Restaurant Interactive application.

Past top winners in Interactive Application format include:

2011 Toyota Sponsafier entered by Saatchi & Saatchi LA
2010 Apple Jacks Gliders entered by Biggs|Gilmore
2009 Photo Slice entered by Atmosphere BBDO
2008 PENTAX Photo Gallery entered by texturemedia
2007 My Family "Census" Site entered by Hornall Anderson Design Works
2006 Keowee Falls Interactive Tour entered by Aristotle and Cliffs Communities
2005 Jeep Trail Rated Challenge entered by Organic, Inc.
2004 The New BMW 6 Series Convertible. Inspiration. Dynamics. Elegance. entered by BBDO InterOne GmbH, Hamburg

The 2013 international Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) throughout the world involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

“We believe that winning an industry specific award is more valuable to the participant. It allows the participants to be judges against their peers, just like in the marketplace,” said Rice.

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

Nominate a Judge for the Internet Advertising Competition

The Web Marketing Association’s 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards are currently accepting entries and is looking for qualified judges to help adjudicate this year’s award program. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. The Competition Web site is located at www.iacaward.org and the deadline for entry is January 31, 2013.

To nominate yourself or someone within your organization, please complete the judge’s nomination form. Internet and advertising professionals selected as judges will be contacted during the first week of January.

We are looking for individuals who have direct experience developing online advertising. Our judges must have an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in web advertising, an eye for a well-designed ad and the objectivity to score entries according to a predefined set of criteria.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail one week prior to the general announcement of winners in March, 2011. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.

The Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 31, 2013 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Judging an award show like the IAC Awards is a great way to share your experience and expertise with the online advertising community. It is an honor and an important responsibility when you are chosen to participate as a judge. You are helping to set the standard for award winning advertising throughout the Web.

Best Online Advertising To Be Named By Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association announces the Call for Entries for the 11th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. This international award program will evaluate all forms of online advertising, including email, page-based ads, online newsletters, mobile apps, Websites, video and social media in 86 industry categories. The Competition Web site is located at www.iacaward.org and the deadline for entry is January 31, 2013.

“Now, more than ever, it is critical for online marketers to be able to justify advertising expertise come budget time,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “The IAC Awards can provide third party confirmation that clients are getting the best creative for their ad dollars. Winning awards is a great way to demonstrate your creative potential. We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry, and also to help advertising professionals validate their efforts to clients and senior management.”

Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats including:
Best Social Media Campaign
Best Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Best Rich media online ad
Best Email message
Best Online newsletter
Best Website (including best landing pages and best microsites)
Best Online video
Best Mobile applications
Best Integrated ad campaign
Best Ads the client did not choose

Best of show award for each format will be selected from among the industry winners. Ads eligible for entry in the competition must have run during the period from January 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013.

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.
In the 10th annual IAC Awards, Saatchi & Saatchi LA was recognized with the 2012 Top Agency Award, winning 17 IAC Awards. Their awards include 7 Best of Industry awards and 10 Outstanding awards.

In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer Award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

The Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, small business owners, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org.

The deadline for entry is January 31, 2012 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.

The 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

About the Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is an organization working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of online advertising, Internet marketing and promotion used to attract visitors to Web sites. The Web Marketing Association’s annual award programs, the WebAward Competition, MobileWebAwards and the Internet Advertising Competition Awards, have been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world since 1997.

Romney vs Obama: Who Has The Better Website? The WebAward Judges Decide

The 2012 Presidential election is being fiercely contested by Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Barack Obama. Both candidates are using the Internet to help their campaigns woo voters, volunteers and campaign contributions. But who has the better Website?

Romney vs Obama Website Challenge

The Web Marketing Association has been judging Websites through their annual WebAward Competition for Website development since 1997. More than 27,000 site evaluations have been tabulated during that period and they took up the task of evaluating both candidates Websites.

During the second week of October 2012, 61 Internet Website experts, who serve as WebAward competition judges, reviewed both www.mittromney.com and www.barackobama.com using the same criteria used in the annual WebAwards program. The sites were judged side by side based on the seven criteria of a successful Website.

Here are the results:

Design - Asked "which Website has the most pleasing design?" 60.7% of the WebAward judges selected the Obama site over the 39.3% for Romney Website.

Innovation - Website innovation also went in favor of Barack Obama. By the same margin as design, the vast majority of WebAward judges (68.3%) thought the Obama Website seems more innovative, while only 31.7% favored Romney's.

Content - In terms of having the most appealing content, judges again selected the Obama Website over Mitt Romney's Website, although by a narrower margin than the first two criteria. 54.1% of the WebAward judges felt barackobama.com has more appealing content for visitors compared to 45.9% for mittromney.com. WebAward judges also found that the Obama Website is more effective for telling the candidate's story and attracting contributions and voters to its cause (55.9% Obama vs 44.1% Romney).

Ease of use - President Obama's Website was seen as easier to use by the WebAward judges than Govoner Romney’s. 63.3% selected barackobama.com as easier to use compared to 36.7% of WebAward judges who felt mittromney.com was easier.

Copywriting - It is obvious that both campaigns have excellent writers on staff. Neither Websites have any of the editing issues some large organizations can experience. However, the WebAward judges gave the advantage to the Obama site (62.7% over the Romney site 37.3%).

Interactivity - Interactivity makes a Website more than just an online billboard and both candidates were effective in giving visitors to their Websites plenty to see and do. Nevertheless, once again the WebAward judges gave the edge regarding interactivity to the Obama Website (70.7%) over the Romney Website (29.3%).

Technology - Use of technology is evident in both candidates' Websites, however, the clear favorite for the WebAward judges was barackobama.com winning 70.7% of the votes compared to mittromney.com with only 29.3% of the votes.

"Regardless of who you will be voting for in the next presidential election, Websites are going to play an ever increasingly important role in how candidates get their messages across to the American voters," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association "Based on the findings of this survey by some of the top Internet professionals available today, the Web Marketing Association names barackobama.com the winner of the Romney vs Obama Website Challenge. We wish both candidates the best of luck in their efforts to become the next President of the United States in the November election".

Impact of Voting Preference

When the WebAward judges were asked "If the election was to be held today. Which candidate would you be more likely to vote for?" 43.3% responded Barack Obama, 18.3% responded Mitt Romney, 5% voted neither and 16.7% reported that they are a non-US judge and can not vote for anyone in a US election.
When judges who plan to vote for either Mitt Romney or Barack Obama are removed from the tabulation, results still remain in favor of barackobama.com, although the margins narrow. The one difference is that for non-decided judges, Romney’s website is seen as being more effective in terms of content (63.4%) than Obama’s (36.6).

Specific comments from the judges can be seen on the Web Marketing Association Blog.

Methodology

An email was sent to all past WebAward judges requesting that they participate in an online survey between October 10 and October 15, 2012. 61 WebAward judges agreed to participate in the project. They reviewed each site and completed the brief online survey.

Judges for the annual WebAward competition consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites, including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters. These WebAward judges have an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology and they apply that knowledge to the entries they review. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.

About the WebAwards

The 16th annual international WebAwards competition for website development sets the standard of excellence in 96 industry categories by evaluating Web sites and defining benchmarks based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The goal of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the WebAwards, is to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective Web sites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Web site assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. The Web Marketing Association also hosts the Internet Advertising Competition Awards.

Romney vs Obama Website Challenge Judges Comments

One of the benefits of participating in the WebAward competition is feedback from our judges. Below are public comments made regarding the Romney vs Obama Website Challenge where 61 WebAward judges reviewed the websites of the two presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.
Here are the comments. Attribution is given when judge provided name.

While I overwhelmingly favor President Obama's web site based on the above criteria, the most glaring departure for me is the negativity represented on the President's web site vs. Candidate Romney's, which is a potential turn off for undecided voters. BO.com offers a much more pleasing and modern design; however, MR.com has some content elements, such as the one-pager, that make getting to the issues more effective.

Creatively, I think both sites are very similar. To me, Governor Romney's site seems to be structured more like a professional (business) site with most of the content falling under specific menu items. President Obama's site seems to be laid out more like a personal site (blog) as there are may "post" type additions (comments/videos/etc.) directly on his main page. Personally, I find Governor Romney's site easier to navigate and-for me--more appealing. President Obama's site has a lot going on where one can spend several minutes scrolling through the main page. I'm sure President Obama's site is considered much more favorable by his supporters and those with adequate time on their hands to scroll down through post after post. I suspect many of the surveys you get back will be positive/negative right along party lines.
Brian K. St.Ours
President – eWareness
Founder - VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

Obama's website is with better use of communication type of user interface and marketing, making it more friendly and attractive; Romney's website is so conservatively designed...

BarackObama.com's design has embraced the generation now. The site is a direct reflection of the way people are consuming digital and social media news. MittRomney.com's one seems to be stuck in time with a retro look I can't help but feel is out of place and old fashioned. Are both a direct reflection of their voters? America, where are you heading?
Thierry Halbroth
Executive Creative Director
McCann

I am not a fan of Obama. But I must say that his marketing and design team has done a great job on the web.

Both of these sites are politically very effective and cutting edge. I do not like the aspect of scrolling down a page as in Obama site. Users will not do this. Romney site cleaner and easier to identify content locations.
Alan J. Potasnik
Senior Partner
The Point Betsie Internetwork

This websites comparison shows Obama is a greater endorser of technology -which is one of the things that makes this country be where we are worldwide. Having a website that looks dated almost shows you don't care so much about the present or the future in terms of technology and where we are standing, as well as a lack of detail and dedication in what you do.
Solana Crawford

Both are hard to use but Barack Obama's puts too many roadblocks in my way. I reluctantly voted for Romney's as the better site.
Burkey Belser
Greenfield/Belser Ltd.

Overall I like the Barack Obama website better because it is better layed out and not as busy as the Mitt Romney web site. I do like the web site navigation on the Mitt Romney web site more than the Barrack Obama web site.
Hieroweb Interactive

Both sites offered more information links. Obama's featured information on voter registration and polling locations, issues and offered a side column about comparing the candidates. Romney's featured information about him, and reasons why you shouldn't pick Obama. This leaves visitors with a feeling that Obama cares more about the issues and your right to vote than Romney.

The difference in the two sites was easily noticeable. Romney's site was positive and upbeat and talked about his plans for the future. Obama's site spent at least half of the available real estate simply attacking Romney on minute details rather than giving voters an overview of HIS plan and a positive message for the future of our country.

The Obama site navigation disappears on most all sub-pages. Romney's always stays anchored at top, much more conventional usability.

When I looked at the sites side by side they were remarkably similar in design. Use of the same updated tones of red, white and blue , a photographic style with transparent type boxes on top, font size and use of the same rollover map of the USA to find out where you can participate locally. The use of technology had grown immensely since the last campaign and both websites avail themselves of interactive features. Obama's landing page asks up front for a donation and he has a large request to share on Facebook. The most surprising feature to me is Romney's shop where he sells everything from buttons to "Nobama" bumper stickers. For a limited time only, and I'm wondering if this is until the election, shipping is free. At the shopping cart, one can add in a donation as well.
Meg Levine
Meg Levine Design

The Mitt Romney site had a poor experience on the initial landing page. The user might be confused on how to click into the main site. The Barack Obama site did a better job of this by using the wording "continue to main site."

I am surprised at the lackluster state of the President's website. His team should take a good look at the Romney site and figure it out.

Web Marketing Association Names Outstanding Website Developers for 2012

Ninteen agencies or companies were also recognized as Outstanding Website Developer for having six or more sites recognized in the 2012 WebAward Competition. They include:

AGENCY AWARDS
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 29
Risdall Marketing Group 28
Extractable 25
TRAVELCLICK 20
TMP Worldwide 17
Blenderbox Inc 12
SapientNitro 11
Atlantic BT 10
CareTech Solutions 9
Possible Worldwide 8
VML 7
BGT Partners 7
Euroweb Internet GmbH 7
Cuker Interactive 7
Duo Consulting 7
Mineral, LLC 7
Sherpa Web Studios 6
WSI 6
HeBS Digital 6

Biggs|Gilmore was named Top Agency at the 2012 WebAward Competition

Biggs|Gilmore was named Top Agency at the 2012 WebAward Competition, taking home 39 WebAwards. This is the third time Biggs|Gilmore has won the Top Agency WebAward. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms.

The firm also has been named Top Agency in the Web Marketing Association’s Internet Advertising Competition for three straight years (2009, 2010 and 2011). Biggs|Gilmore is a digital creative agency with offices in Chicago and in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was recognized in the 2012 WebAwards with Best Advocacy Website, Best Diversified Business Website, 7 Outstanding Website WebAwards and 28 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.

About Biggs|Gilmore

Biggs|Gilmore (www.biggs-gilmore.com) is a digital creative agency with offices in Chicago and in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Named Top Agency in the 2011 WebAwards; Top Agency in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Internet Advertising Competition; and an AdAge Agency of the Year in 2010, Biggs|Gilmore delivers measurable and award-winning results for Fortune 500 clients including Heinz, Kellogg Company and Kimberly-Clark. Follow us on Twitter @BiggsGilmore and read our agency blog, Slacker CEO.

UrbanDaddy Wins 2012 WebAwards Bet of Show

Congratulations to the 2012 Best of Show WebAward winner UrbanDaddy for their exceptional work on "UrbanDaddy + Herradura Mixology Battle Royale” website. The site was also recognized as Best Marketing Website.

UrbanDaddy, a luxury lifestyle company for the digital world, custom created a multi-faceted brand awareness program for Brown Forman’s Herradura Tequila. The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness and engage UrbanDaddy’s affluent, educated, and lifestyle-focused members with the Herradura tequila brand and products. A microsite boasting interactive flash video dovetailed into a highly engaging sizzle reel backed by one ultimate goal: user voting and engagement. The experience was driven by viewers interacting with integrated icons that appear at certain milestones throughout the video. There were multiple layers to the experience: the main video, individual mixologist interviews, bespoke cocktail recipes and a voting interface, all tying into the big theme of the UrbanDaddy & Herradura Mixology Battle Royale between Los Angeles and San Francisco mixologists - where only one winner will come out on top, and whose fate is left in the hands of UrbanDaddy’s cocktail and tequila enthusiasts.

the Web Marketing Association congratulates Urban daddy and all of the winners of the 2012 WebAward Competition. For complete results go to the WebAward Website.

Best Websites in 96 Industries Named By Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 16th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. More than 2,000 entries from 42 countries were adjudicated in 96 industry categories during this year's competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.

A complete list of the winning sites can be found at the WebAward Web site at www.webaward.org.

Best of Show

The 2012 Best of Show WebAward is presented to UrbanDaddy for their exceptional work on "UrbanDaddy + Herradura Mixology Battle Royale” website. The site was also recognized as Best Marketing Website.

UrbanDaddy, a luxury lifestyle company for the digital world, custom created a multi-faceted brand awareness program for Brown Forman’s Herradura Tequila. The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness and engage UrbanDaddy’s affluent, educated, and lifestyle-focused members with the Herradura tequila brand and products. A microsite boasting interactive flash video dovetailed into a highly engaging sizzle reel backed by one ultimate goal: user voting and engagement. The experience was driven by viewers interacting with integrated icons that appear at certain milestones throughout the video. There were multiple layers to the experience: the main video, individual mixologist interviews, bespoke cocktail recipes and a voting interface, all tying into the big theme of the UrbanDaddy & Herradura Mixology Battle Royale between Los Angeles and San Francisco mixologists - where only one winner will come out on top, and whose fate is left in the hands of UrbanDaddy’s cocktail and tequila enthusiasts.

Top Agency

Biggs|Gilmore was named Top Agency at the 2012 WebAward Competition, taking home 39 WebAwards. This is the third time Biggs|Gilmore has won the Top Agency WebAward.. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms. The firm also has been named Top Agency in the Web Marketing Association’s Internet Advertising Competition for three straight years (2009, 2010 and 2011). Biggs|Gilmore is a digital creative agency with offices in Chicago and in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was recognized in the 2012 WebAwards with Best Advocacy Website, Best Diversified Business Website, 7 Outstanding Website WebAwards and 28 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.
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Outstanding Website Developer

19 agencies or companies were also recognized as Outstanding Website Developer for winning six or more WebAwards in 2012. They include:

AGENCY AWARDS
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 29
Risdall Marketing Group 28
Extractable 25
TRAVELCLICK 20
TMP Worldwide 17
Blenderbox Inc 12
SapientNitro 11
Atlantic BT 10
CareTech Solutions 9
Possible Worldwide 8
VML 7
BGT Partners 7
Euroweb Internet GmbH 7
Cuker Interactive 7
Duo Consulting 7
Mineral, LLC 7
Sherpa Web Studios 6
WSI 6
HeBS Digital 6


Competition format

The competition was judged by a team of independent Internet professionals representing a variety of relevant disciplines of Web site development. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers and webmasters.

The WebAward competition format allows Web sites to compete head to head with other sites within their industry to win the Best of Industry award. Entries also compete against a standard of excellence to win Outstanding Website and Standard of Excellence WebAwards. Each site is judged on seven different criteria and earns a score between 0 and 70 points. The highest score in a given category wins Best of Industry for that category. If the remaining entries receive a score of 60 or greater, they receive the Outstanding Web site award. Entries that score higher than their industry average and below 59.9 receive the Standard of Excellence.

The 2012 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: ExactTarget, Burst Media, PR Newswire, BGT Partners, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, EContent Magazine, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.


About the Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of Website development and marketing on the Internet. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association’s annual WebAward, Internet Advertising Competition and MobileWebAward award programs have been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 16th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.

2012 WebAward Competition Update

The judging of the 16th annual Web Marketing Association WebAward Competition is well underway and as always we are seeing some outstanding websites this year.

At this point, we expect to announce the winners of this year's competition on September 12, 2012.

Good luck to everyone who entered and a special thanks to all of our expert judges who are reviewing the entries,

WebAward Entry Deadline Extended

The Web Marketing Association has extended the deadline for entering its 16th annual WebAward Competition until Friday, June 15, 2012 to allow final entries to be submitted and existing entries to be edited if needed. This will be the only extension granted as Judging begins the following Monday. Learn more and enter at www.webaward.org.

Best Mobile Apps and Best Mobile Websites Named By Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners its first annual international MobileWebAward competition. This award program recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain the best mobile Websites and the best mobile applications. The complete list of winners can be found at www.mobile-webaward.org

The MobileWebAwards were judged on seven criteria seen as requirements for a success mobile website or mobile app. They include Creativity, Impact, Design, Content, Interactivity, Ease of use and Use of the medium. Each mobile website or mobile app entry is judged against other entries of the same format in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

"Smartphones and tablet computers are exploding and companies are racing to be allow users to connect and interact with them using mobile devices," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. "The goal of the MobileWebAwards is to both recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective mobile Web sites and mobile apps on the Internet today."

This year's top awards include:

HeBS Digital won Best of Show Mobile Website for Loews Hotels Mobile Website, which also was recognized as Best Hotel and Lodging Mobile Website. Loews Hotels state-of-the-art mobile-ready website features PDA-Ready pages branded to the look and feel of the full online website. The mobile website is optimized for both a mobile user-experience and visibility on mobile search engines.

Indiana Interactive, LLC won Best of Show Mobile Application for DNR iPhone Application, which also was awarded Best Travel Mobile Application. This free application contains a variety of useful information on Indiana's state parks, forests, nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, and more. It also has convenient links to mobile versions of the hunting and fishing guide.

Aperto Move GmbH of Berlin Germany was named Top Interactive Agency for the 2012 international MobileWebAwards. They received five awards including Best Consulting Mobile Website for AppRadar locates App Satisfaction, Best Credit Union Mobile Application for Economia - The interactive serious education economy game, Best Toy & Hobby Mobile Application for Daisy Oracle - Your free love check and Best Transportation Mobile Application for Alphaguide Mobile Car Service App.

A complete list of winners can be found at the MobileWebAward's Winner's Page.

The 2012 MobileWebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, PR Newswire, Burst Media, MycroBurst, EContent Magazine, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, SES Conferences, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.

Top 5 articles last month on WMA SmartBrief

Here are the 5 most read articles appearing in the WMA SmartBrief daily newsletter. Subscribe to the free WMA SmartBrief here.

How to build a more effective landing page

"Google launches online ad-metrics suite

Meet the Don Draper of digital advertising

Click-through rates are overrated, researchers say

Google lets marketers target keyword typos

Less Than Two Weeks Left to Enter the WebAwards

Time is running out to get your Website the recognition it deserves and create a great marketing opportunity for yourself and your site by entering your work into the 2012 WebAward Competition. The deadline is only two weeks away - Thursday, May 31st!

Winning a WebAward is a great way to both recognize the outstanding work that goes into building and maintaining your "award-winning" website and to be a moral booster for the entire development team.

Entering is easy. Simply create a nominator account or log into an existing account from past years at WebAward.org. This password protected area will allow you to enter multiple sites, edit the information up to when the judging begins and receive updates, results and feedback on your entries throughout the competition.

Outstanding Developer Award

The much coveted Top Agency WebAward is given to the organization who wins the most total WebAwards in a single competition. However, each year many agencies and some corporations win multiple awards and deserve additional recognition. This year, we will recognize each organization that wins 10 or more WebAwards with an Outstanding Interactive Developer trophy.

Judging

Web sites are judged on design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, navigation and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence. A Best of Industry WebAward will be given in each of the 96 industry categories.

Increase Your chances on Winning

Check out our WMA Facebook Page and be sure to like us as we will be providing hints and tips on how to improve your chances on winning a top award though out May.

IAC Award Winners Update

If you were a Best of Industry winner in the 2012 Internet Advertising Competition awards you should know that all of the initial awards have been shipped via Fedex and they should be arriving shortly.

Outstanding advertising certificates were shipped last week and should also be arriving shortly if they have not done so already.

You can promote your award by posting a photo of you and the award to the Web Marketing Association Facebook Page.

If you wish to order additional awards, you can do so at the WMA Recognition Center.

WebAward Tips and Hints

What is the best way to win a WebAward from the Web Marketing Association? To enter of course! However there are ways to improve your chances when the judging starts. Each day in May we will be posting tips and hints to the Web Marketing Association’s Facebook Fan Page to help you position your entry in the best possible light.

Web Marketing Association Looking For Internet Experts To Judge WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association is expecting a record number of participants in its 16th annual international WebAward competition, the standards-defining award program that sets industry benchmarks based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. They are looking for experienced Internet professionals who can help judge the Websites that are entered. Interested individuals can submit their names for consideration using the WebAward Judges Nomination Form.

The 2012 WebAward Competition for Website development is currently accepting entries until May 31, 2012. Judging will begin in mid-June.

Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites,–including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters – with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as A&E Television Networks, Agency.com, Blattner Brunner, Bridge Worldwide, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Comedy Central, Disney, Euro RSCG, Ion Global, J. Walter Thompson , John Deere Company, New York Post Interactive, Organic, Inc., Refinery, R/GA, Saatchi & Saatchi, SAP, Starwood Hotels , Sun Microsystems, Warner Bros. Online, Xerox and Zugara.

The vast majority of our judges return each year to participate again as a WebAward judge, but some need to take time off from judging and because of the popularity of the WebAwards there is a constant need for new judges. Prior to the beginning of the judging, we spend several weeks discussing the current state of Web development and how it should be recognized through the WebAwards. Being a WebAward judge is a valuable experience that helps the individual better understand overall Web development and of course looks impressive on a resume or corporate bio.

If you or someone some one in your organization would make a good judge, they can learn more and enter their name for consideration on the WebAward Judges Nomination Form.

Why companies enter an award competition

Recently, WMA President Bill Rice was interviewed by WebMasterRadio at the SES Conference in New York this year. He discusses why companies enter an award competition and how individuals can benefit from participating in the award programs?

Check out this audio interview here.

With 96 Industries, The WebAwards Has Something For Everyone

There are 96 industry categories in the 2012 WebAward Competition and each site goes head-to-head with other sites in their categories and the highest score is selected Best of Industry winner in that category.

Here are the 2012 industry line-up:

| Advertising | Advocacy | Airline | Application Service Provider | Architecture | Arts | Associations | Automobile | B2B | Bank | Beverage | Biotechnology | Blog | Broadcasting | Catalog | Computer: Hardware | Computer: Software | Construction | Consulting | Consumer Goods | Credit Union | Design | Directory or Search Engine | Diversified Business | Education | Electronics | Email | Employment | Energy | Entertainment | Environmental | Events | E-Zine | Faith-based | Family | Fashion or Beauty | Financial Services | Food Industry | Game Site | Gay/Lesbian | General Interest | Government | Health Care | Healthcare Provider | Home Building | Hotel and Lodging | Information Services | Insurance | Interactive Services | International Business | Internet Service Provider | Intranet | Investor Relations | Investment | Legal | Leisure | Magazine | Marketing | Manufacturing | Media | Medical | Medical Equipment | Military | Mobile | Movie | Music | Mutual Fund | News | Newspaper | Non-Profit | Other | Pharmaceuticals | Photography | Political | Portal | Professional Services | Public Relations | Publishing | Radio | Real Estate | Regional | Restaurant | Retail | School | Science | Shopping | Small Business | Social Network | Sports | Technology | Telecommunication | Toy & Hobby | Transportation | Travel | TV | University

To learn more and enter, go to www.WebAward.org

With 96 Industries, The WebAwards Has Something For Everyone

There are 96 industry categories in the 2012 WebAward Competition and each site goes head-to-head with other sites in their categories and the highest score is selected Best of Industry winner in that category.

Here are the 2012 industry line-up:

| Advertising | Advocacy | Airline | Application Service Provider | Architecture | Arts | Associations | Automobile | B2B | Bank | Beverage | Biotechnology | Blog | Broadcasting | Catalog | Computer: Hardware | Computer: Software | Construction | Consulting | Consumer Goods | Credit Union | Design | Directory or Search Engine | Diversified Business | Education | Electronics | Email | Employment | Energy | Entertainment | Environmental | Events | E-Zine | Faith-based | Family | Fashion or Beauty | Financial Services | Food Industry | Game Site | Gay/Lesbian | General Interest | Government | Health Care | Healthcare Provider | Home Building | Hotel and Lodging | Information Services | Insurance | Interactive Services | International Business | Internet Service Provider | Intranet | Investor Relations | Investment | Legal | Leisure | Magazine | Marketing | Manufacturing | Media | Medical | Medical Equipment | Military | Mobile | Movie | Music | Mutual Fund | News | Newspaper | Non-Profit | Other | Pharmaceuticals | Photography | Political | Portal | Professional Services | Public Relations | Publishing | Radio | Real Estate | Regional | Restaurant | Retail | School | Science | Shopping | Small Business | Social Network | Sports | Technology | Telecommunication | Toy & Hobby | Transportation | Travel | TV | University

To learn more and enter, go to www.WebAward.org

Best Financial Services Website of 2012 to be Named by Web Marketing Association

All types of financial services companies will compete to see who has the best financial website. The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 16th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including bank, credit union, insurance, investment, mutual funds and financial services websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for Financial Services web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2012.

Who Has the Best Education Website of 2012?

That is what we will find out when the Web Marketing Association holds its16th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including education, schools and university websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for education websites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2012.

Best Public Interest Web sites of 2012 to be Named in 16th Annual WebAward Competition

Advocacy, arts and non-profit websites will be judged in the Web Marketing Association's 16th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including advocacy, arts and non-profit websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for public interest websites to enter is May 31, 2012.

Best Health Care Website of 2012 to be Named by Web Marketing Association

Healthcare and medical sites will compete in the Web Marketing Association's 16th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including healthcare, healthcare provider, medical, medical equipment, biotechnology and pharmaceutical websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for Healthcare websites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2012.

2012 WebAwards Call for Entries Has Begun

The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the call for entries for its 16th annual international WebAward competition. The WebAwards are the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. It recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain outstanding Web sites. The deadline for entry in the 2012 WebAwards is May 31, 2012. A complete list of past winners and this year’s entry form can be found at www.webaward.org.

This year’s top awards will include:

• A “Best of Industry” WebAward will be given in each of the 96 industry categories, including financial services, medical, small business, travel, advertising, transportation and government.

• The competition’s highest honor, the 2012 WebAward “Best of Show,” will be given to the one site that the judges believe represents the pinnacle of outstanding achievement in Web development. Last year’s Best of Show winner was Organic, Inc. for its outstanding work on the "U by Kotex: Ban the Bland." The site was also recognized as Best Consumer Goods Website.

• The Web Marketing Association will also recognize the interactive agency winning the most awards in the competition with the “Top Interactive Agency” WebAward. For the second time, the Top Agency award was awarded to Biggs|Gilmore taking home 28 WebAwards.

Each year many agencies and some corporations win multiple awards and deserve additional recognition. This year, we will recognize each organization that wins 10 or more WebAwards with an Outstanding Interactive Developer trophy.

Web sites are judged on seven criteria, including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use and receive a numeric score. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence. Entrants also benefit from receiving valuable feedback from the WebAwards professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Judging for the 2012 WebAwards will take place in June through August and winners will be announced in September. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing Web sites,–including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters – with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as CNN.com, Yahoo!, BGT Partners, Ion Global , Brunner, Razorfish, Chrysler LLC, DraftFCB, Family Cookbook Project, IBM , agency.com, Possible Worldwide, Baylor University, Organic, Inc., imc2 , Sabre Hospitality Solutions, PayPal, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Bridge Worldwide , Boeing, Small Army, United Technologies and Website Magazine.

Check out our Web Marketing Association Facebook Page and be sure to like us as we will be providing hints and tips on how to improve your chances on winning a top award though out April and May.

The 2012 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, PR Newswire, Burst Media, MycroBurst, EContent Magazine, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, SES Conferences, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.

2012 Internet Advertising Competition Awards Winners Announced By The Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association announces the winners of its annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards, an effort to honor excellence in online advertising and to recognize the individuals and organizations responsible for the best in Internet marketing. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. The Competition web site with a complete list of winners is located at www.IACAward.org

“Each year the creativity and excellence in online advertising continues to rise,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. “The Web Marketing Association is pleased to help set the standard for Internet excellence with the IAC Awards by highlight the best in online advertising by medium and industry.”

Best of Show Winners

2012 Best of Show Awards were awarded in each of the online medium categories. This year's winners are:

The Visionaire Group for The Source Code Mission (Best of Show Social Media campaign)
The Visionaire Group for Kung Fu Panda 2 YouTube Brand Channel (Best of Show Rich media Online ad)
Saatchi & Saatchi LA for Yaris It's a Car! Web Films (Best of Show Online Video)
Saatchi & Saatchi LA for The Camry Effect (Best of Show Website)
VML for G Series "Outfuel" Online Advertising (Best of Show Rich media Online campaign)
VerticalResponse for VerticalResponse Customers Get Their Deal On (Best of Show Email message campaign)
Alloy Digital for Wendy, The Web Series (Best of Show Integrated ad campaign)
Acxiom Corporation for Bing Travel Horizontal Scroll (Best of Show Online Newsletter campaign)
rabbit eMarketing GmbH for Secret Societies (Best of Show Ads the client did not pick)
Critical Mass for Nissan Versa iPad Experience (Best of Show Mobile Application)
TMP Worldwide for Tutu (Best of Show Email message)
The Kaplan Thaler Group for Beef Equity - Here's the Beef (Best of Show Interactive application)
Charles Shyer Productions for Ieri Oggi Domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) (Best of Show Online ad)
Definition 6 for Where Will Happiness Strike Next (Best of Show Online campaign)


Top Agency Winners

The Web Marketing Association also recognizes the agency that shows consistent excellence in online advertising development by winning more IAC Awards than any of their peers in a single competition.

Saatchi & Saatchi LA was recognized with the 2012 Top Agency Award, winning 17 IAC Awards. Their awards include 2 Best of Show awards, 7 Best of Industry awards and 10 Outstanding awards.

Ten additional organizations were recognized as Outstanding Advertising Developers in the 2011 IAC Awards for winning 6 or more awards. They are:

AGENCY (number of awards)

BlueRush Digital Media 15
Biggs|Gilmore 14
TMP Worldwide 12
VML 12
Overdrive Interactive 8
The Studio at Conde Nast 7
Possible Worldwide 7
A&E Brand Creative 6
Acxiom Creative 6


The IAC Awards web site with a complete list of winners is located at www.IACAward.org.

Win a Free Pass to ad:tech!

Want to attend ad:tech San Francisco April 3-4 for free! The Web Marketing Association will give a way a Full Conference Pass to one lucky person who enters our drawing on our Facebook Contest Page.

This is always one of the top Internet marketing conferences of the year. One you do not want to miss. Enter by March 22 2012 for your chance to win!

To check out the conference or to register visit http://na.ad-tech.com/sf/

Social Media Success Summit 2012

Social Media Success Summit 2012 is a special online conference designed to help you master social media marketing (brought to you by Social Media Examiner). Twenty-seven of the world’s leading social media pros will show you how. Instructors include Jeremiah Owyang (Altimeter Group), Chris Brogan (author, Google+ for Business), Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing), Brian Solis (author, Engage), Jay Baer (co-author, The Now Revolution), Jason Falls (author, No Bullshit Social Media), Frank Eliason (author, @YourService), Michael Stelzner (founder, Social Media Examiner), Mark Schaefer (author, The Tao of Twitter), Dave Kerpen (author, Likeable Social Media), Jesse Stay (author, Google+ for Dummies), C.C. Chapman (co-author, Content Rules), Kipp Bodnar (co-author, The B2B Social Media Book), Amy Porterfield (co-author, Facebook Marketing All-in-One for Dummies) and experts from LinkedIn, Dell, Ford, Citigroup and Citrix–just to mention a few. Fully online.

Click here to get complete information and to sign up

WHO: This event is ideal for any marketer or business owner focused on business-to-business OR business-to-consumer. You'll recognize some of the organizations that attended Social Media Success Summit 2011: General Mills, Microsoft, Honda, IEEE, Junior Achievement, SAP, Tyco, 3M, LexisNexis, Mayo Clinic, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Disney, Bruegger's, Visa, Intuit, Warner Music Group, Party City, Constant Contact, Yahoo!, Cisco, Kraft Foods, Princeton Theological Seminary, Autodesk, ConAgra Foods, London Convention Centre, Stonyfield Farm, Rust-Oleum, Teradata, Four Seasons Hotels, Carnegie Mellon University, Cardinal Health, Comcast, Dole Food Company, Lexus, Monster Cable, Dow Chemical, Allstate, Siemens, Verizon Wireless, U.S. Army, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, Henkel, Ritz-Carlton, SanDisk, Ashley Furniture, DuPont, Thomson Reuters, HP, Creative Memories, EMC, Yale University, Hostess Brands, T-Mobile, Fuddruckers, Albertsons, John Wiley & Sons and thousands of small businesses.

WHAT: This fully online summit will help you master social media marketing with how-to sessions from actual social media experts and book authors. Presentation topics include: developing a social media strategy, finding and engaging your target audience, measuring success, converting activities to sales, social customer service, Google+ marketing, business blogging, Facebook marketing, LinkedIn marketing, YouTube marketing, Twitter marketing, Pinterest marketing and much more! A certificate of achievement will be presented to attendees who successfully complete a post-summit exam.

WHERE: At your home or office! You attend this live event using your computer (no long-distance bill or travel expenses!).

WHEN: Starting May 1, 2012 (spread over four weeks to improve learning and accommodate your schedule; scroll down for the full schedule). Plus you'll get recordings and transcripts of all live sessions.

WHY: You'll be able to quickly implement effective social media marketing techniques, attract great customers and prospects and gain a unique competitive advantage. You'll also discover how to best measure the effectiveness of your social media activities, how to sell with social media and the newest social media tactics. This event will help your business maximize the full potential of social media.

HOW: Registration is limited. NOTE: Our Social Media Success Summit 2011 sold out. Click here to save 50% (lock in your early-bird savings before they're gone!) and secure your spot.

Social Media Success Summit 2012

Social Media Success Summit 2012 is a special online conference designed to help you master social media marketing (brought to you by Social Media Examiner). Twenty-seven of the world’s leading social media pros will show you how. It's entirely online so you don't have to travel anywhere!

Twenty-seven of the world’s leading social media pros will show you how. Instructors include Jeremiah Owyang (Altimeter Group), Chris Brogan (author, Google+ for Business), Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing), Brian Solis (author, Engage), Jay Baer (co-author, The Now Revolution), Jason Falls (author, No Bullshit Social Media), Frank Eliason (author, @YourService), Michael Stelzner (founder, Social Media Examiner), Mark Schaefer (author, The Tao of Twitter), Dave Kerpen (author, Likeable Social Media), Jesse Stay (author, Google+ for Dummies), C.C. Chapman (co-author, Content Rules), Kipp Bodnar (co-author, The B2B Social Media Book), Amy Porterfield (co-author, Facebook Marketing All-in-One for Dummies) and experts from LinkedIn, Dell, Ford, Citigroup and Citrix–just to mention a few. Fully online.

Click on this link to get complete information and to sign up.

MobileWebAward Competition Looking for Mobile Development Professionals to Judge 2012 Awards

The Web Marketing Association’s new MobileWebAwards competition is currently accepting entries and is looking for qualified judges to help adjudicate this year’s award program. . This award program recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain the best mobile Websites and the best mobile applications. The Competition Web site is located at http://www.mobile-webaward.org and the deadline for entry is March 31, 2012

To nominate yourself or someone within your organization, please complete the judge’s nomination form at http://www.mobile-webaward.org/mwa/judges.asp. Mobile development professionals selected as judges will be contacted during the first week of April.

“Since 1997, the WebAwards have helped define the standards for website development, now the MobileWebAwards will do the same for sites and apps designed for mobile devices,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. “Smartphones and tablet computers are exploding and companies are racing to be allow users to connect and interact with them using mobile devices. We are looking for individuals who have direct experience developing for the expanding mobile platform. Our judges must have an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in mobile development, an eye for a well-designed interface and the objectivity to score entries according to a predefined set of criteria”.

Judging for the MobileWebAwards will take place in April, 2012, and winners will be notified by e-mail one week prior to the general announcement of winners in May, 2012. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in mobile website design and mobile application development. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Ogilvy Interactive, R/GA , Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, A&E Television Networks , New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Ernst & Young , J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and Aristotle.

Entries will be accepted in both the Mobile Website and the Mobile Application formats. Entries will be judged on seven criteria:

• Creativity
• Impact
• Design
• Content
• Interactivity
• Ease of Use
• Use of the medium

“Judging an award show like the MobileWebAwards is a great way to share your experience and expertise with the mobile development community, said Rice. “It is an honor and an important responsibility when you are chosen to participate as a judge. You are helping to set the standard for award winning advertising throughout the Web”.