December is a time when we like to look back at the year and reflect on the successes of the past twelve months and be thankful for all that we have.
The Web Marketing Association would like to thank the hundreds of online marketing and development professionals that contributed their time and expertise to help organize and judge both the WebAwards and the IAC Awards. This group of individuals are industry leaders that are giving back to the Internet in an effort to improve the level of website development and online advertising for everyone. We thank then for their ongoing commitment and recognize that we could not produce such outstanding award programs without them.
We also would like to thank our corporate sponsors, many of which have been with us for many many years. Our sponsors are hand picked because of their leadership position in the world of online marketing. These companies support our programs by providing high value exposure to help drive traffic to our award programs. This year our sponsors include: BGT Partners, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Burst Media, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine.
Finally we would like to thank our award show participants - you trust us to judge your websites and online advertising fairly and without favoritism, with expert judges, and create an outstanding marketing opportunity for you when you win. For 14 years we have worked hard to develop an online system that gives everyone an equal opportunity to get recognized for their best work.
The Official Blog of the Web Marketing Association.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Best Mobile Apps and Best Mobile Websites to Be Named by Web Marketing Association
The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best mobile applications and the best mobile websites of 2011 in 86 industries as part of their 9th 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 28, 2011.
“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 2011 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 29, 2010 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to mobile applications, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media (New for 2011)
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Rich media ads
Email message campaign
Online newsletter campaign
Online applications
Integrated ad campaign
Online Video
Ads the client did not choose
“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.
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
imc2 won Best of Show for Mobile for their work on Pizza Hut iPhone App. The app also won Best Restaurant Mobile application.
Other top winners in the mobile category in 2010 include:
Toyota Prius Mobile Site won Best Automobile Mobile application for iCrossing & Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc
MaxWhite iPhone Application won Best Consumer Goods Mobile application for VML
Gucci iPhone Application won Best Fashion or Beauty Mobile application for Critical Mass
The Allison Mobile Website won Best Hotel and Lodging Mobile application for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies
Teen Vogue Haute Spot iPhone App won Best Magazine Mobile application for Teen Vogue Magazine
Pierre DeRoche won Best Manufacturing Mobile application for Agence Virtuelle SA
Dare to Share won Best Marketing Mobile application for Razorfish
Fastbooking iPhone App won Best Mobile Mobile application for Fastbooking
21degrees won Best Professional Services Mobile application for 21 degrees SA
Cricket Evoke won Best Telecommunication Mobile application for Red Door Interactive
iVisitLauderdale: Official Fort Lauderdale Travel iGuide Application won Best Travel Mobile application for Miles Media
“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 2011 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 29, 2010 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to mobile applications, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media (New for 2011)
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Rich media ads
Email message campaign
Online newsletter campaign
Online applications
Integrated ad campaign
Online Video
Ads the client did not choose
“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.
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
imc2 won Best of Show for Mobile for their work on Pizza Hut iPhone App. The app also won Best Restaurant Mobile application.
Other top winners in the mobile category in 2010 include:
Toyota Prius Mobile Site won Best Automobile Mobile application for iCrossing & Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc
MaxWhite iPhone Application won Best Consumer Goods Mobile application for VML
Gucci iPhone Application won Best Fashion or Beauty Mobile application for Critical Mass
The Allison Mobile Website won Best Hotel and Lodging Mobile application for Hospitality eBusiness Strategies
Teen Vogue Haute Spot iPhone App won Best Magazine Mobile application for Teen Vogue Magazine
Pierre DeRoche won Best Manufacturing Mobile application for Agence Virtuelle SA
Dare to Share won Best Marketing Mobile application for Razorfish
Fastbooking iPhone App won Best Mobile Mobile application for Fastbooking
21degrees won Best Professional Services Mobile application for 21 degrees SA
Cricket Evoke won Best Telecommunication Mobile application for Red Door Interactive
iVisitLauderdale: Official Fort Lauderdale Travel iGuide Application won Best Travel Mobile application for Miles Media
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Best Online Apps to Be Named by Web Marketing Association
The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online apps of 2011 in 86 industries as part of their 9th 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 28, 2011.
“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 2011 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 29, 2010 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online apps, IAC Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media (New for 2011)
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Rich media ads
Email message campaign
Online newsletter campaign
Mobile apps and websites
Integrated ad campaign
Online Video
Ads the client did not choose
Industries represented in the 2011 IAC Awards include the following: advertising, advocacy, airline, application service provider, arts, associations, auction, automobile, b2b, bank, beverage, biotechnology, broadcasting, brokerage, catalog, computer hardware, computer retailer, computer software, construction, consulting, consumer goods, credit union, design, directory or search engine, diversified business, education, email, employment, energy, entertainment, environmental, events, e-zine, faith-based, family, financial services, food industry, game site, general interest, government, health care, home building, hotel and lodging, information services, institutional services, insurance, interactive services, international business, internet service provider, intranet, investor relations, investment, legal, leisure, magazine, marketing, manufacturing, media, medical, military, movie, music, mutual fund, news, newspaper, non-profit, other, pharmaceuticals, portal, professional services, public relations, publishing, radio, real estate, regional, restaurant, retail, school, shopping, small business, social network, sports, telecommunication, toy & hobby, transportation, travel and university.
“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.
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
The 2010 Best of Show for Interactive Applications went to Biggs|Gilmore for Gliders which also won Best Food Industry Interactive Application.
Other top winners in 2010 Interactive Application format include:
One Shot to Get the Shot won Best Advertising Interactive application, Best Design Interactive application, Best Intranet Interactive application, Best Marketing Interactive application, Best Photography Interactive application and Best Social Network Interactive application for Second Thought, Inc
Show Your Nokia Some Love won Best Application Service Provider Interactive application for Wunderman New York
MBNA Credit Card Selector won Best Bank Interactive application for BlueRush Digital Media
IBM Unified Communications Business Value Tool won Best Computer: Software Interactive application for Leopard Communications
Fight the Bad Guy won Best Construction Interactive application for Armchair Media
Profilo Ramadan Calendar won Best Consumer Goods Interactive application for adinteractive
T-Mobile Careers Facebook won Best Employment Interactive application for TMP Worldwide, Inc.
Snow Mountain Park Tube Run won Best Family Interactive application for Aristotle Interactive
Roth IRA Conversion Calculator won Best Financial Services Interactive application for John Hancock Funds
Apple Jacks Gliders won Best Food Industry Interactive application and Best of Show Interactive application for Biggs|Gilmore
C.O.P. The Pursuit Advergame won Best Game Site Interactive application for Liquid Advertising
Blue Shield of California Ratings & Review Website won Best Healthcare Provider Interactive application for Blue Shield of California
Web Booking Engine For HPL Hotels & Resorts won Best Hotel and Lodging Interactive application for Fastbooking
MetLife Term Life Instant Quote Tool won Best Insurance Interactive application MetLife for Global Brand and Marketing Services
Elvis Presley Enterprises - Elvis Backstage won Best Leisure Interactive application for Aristotle Interactive
Give It A Ponder won Best Mobile Interactive application for Y&R New York
Muscular Dystrophy Landing Page won Best Non-Profit Interactive application for Smith Roberts Creative Communications
IMMUNITY-FX Live Healthy Quiz won Best Pharmaceuticals Interactive application for BlueRush Digital Media
Wendy's Ice Patty Hockey won Best Restaurant Interactive application for The Kaplan Thaler Group
TWCBC Teleworker Calculator Tool won Best Telecommunication Interactive application for Northridge
I Can Be Barbie Dress-Up application won Best Toy & Hobby Interactive application for Mattel & Smashing Ideas
My Disney Video Planner won Best Travel Interactive application for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2011, 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 J. Walter Thompson, Blattner Brunner, Ogilvy Interactive, Comedy Central, National Cable & Telecom Association, Sun Microsystems, Refinery, Euro RSCG, New York Post Interactive, EPB Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, BGT Partners, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Internet World UK, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks all of its sponsors for helping to make this annual competition possible.
“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 2011 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 29, 2010 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online apps, IAC Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media (New for 2011)
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Rich media ads
Email message campaign
Online newsletter campaign
Mobile apps and websites
Integrated ad campaign
Online Video
Ads the client did not choose
Industries represented in the 2011 IAC Awards include the following: advertising, advocacy, airline, application service provider, arts, associations, auction, automobile, b2b, bank, beverage, biotechnology, broadcasting, brokerage, catalog, computer hardware, computer retailer, computer software, construction, consulting, consumer goods, credit union, design, directory or search engine, diversified business, education, email, employment, energy, entertainment, environmental, events, e-zine, faith-based, family, financial services, food industry, game site, general interest, government, health care, home building, hotel and lodging, information services, institutional services, insurance, interactive services, international business, internet service provider, intranet, investor relations, investment, legal, leisure, magazine, marketing, manufacturing, media, medical, military, movie, music, mutual fund, news, newspaper, non-profit, other, pharmaceuticals, portal, professional services, public relations, publishing, radio, real estate, regional, restaurant, retail, school, shopping, small business, social network, sports, telecommunication, toy & hobby, transportation, travel and university.
“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.
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
The 2010 Best of Show for Interactive Applications went to Biggs|Gilmore for Gliders which also won Best Food Industry Interactive Application.
Other top winners in 2010 Interactive Application format include:
One Shot to Get the Shot won Best Advertising Interactive application, Best Design Interactive application, Best Intranet Interactive application, Best Marketing Interactive application, Best Photography Interactive application and Best Social Network Interactive application for Second Thought, Inc
Show Your Nokia Some Love won Best Application Service Provider Interactive application for Wunderman New York
MBNA Credit Card Selector won Best Bank Interactive application for BlueRush Digital Media
IBM Unified Communications Business Value Tool won Best Computer: Software Interactive application for Leopard Communications
Fight the Bad Guy won Best Construction Interactive application for Armchair Media
Profilo Ramadan Calendar won Best Consumer Goods Interactive application for adinteractive
T-Mobile Careers Facebook won Best Employment Interactive application for TMP Worldwide, Inc.
Snow Mountain Park Tube Run won Best Family Interactive application for Aristotle Interactive
Roth IRA Conversion Calculator won Best Financial Services Interactive application for John Hancock Funds
Apple Jacks Gliders won Best Food Industry Interactive application and Best of Show Interactive application for Biggs|Gilmore
C.O.P. The Pursuit Advergame won Best Game Site Interactive application for Liquid Advertising
Blue Shield of California Ratings & Review Website won Best Healthcare Provider Interactive application for Blue Shield of California
Web Booking Engine For HPL Hotels & Resorts won Best Hotel and Lodging Interactive application for Fastbooking
MetLife Term Life Instant Quote Tool won Best Insurance Interactive application MetLife for Global Brand and Marketing Services
Elvis Presley Enterprises - Elvis Backstage won Best Leisure Interactive application for Aristotle Interactive
Give It A Ponder won Best Mobile Interactive application for Y&R New York
Muscular Dystrophy Landing Page won Best Non-Profit Interactive application for Smith Roberts Creative Communications
IMMUNITY-FX Live Healthy Quiz won Best Pharmaceuticals Interactive application for BlueRush Digital Media
Wendy's Ice Patty Hockey won Best Restaurant Interactive application for The Kaplan Thaler Group
TWCBC Teleworker Calculator Tool won Best Telecommunication Interactive application for Northridge
I Can Be Barbie Dress-Up application won Best Toy & Hobby Interactive application for Mattel & Smashing Ideas
My Disney Video Planner won Best Travel Interactive application for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Online
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2011, 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 J. Walter Thompson, Blattner Brunner, Ogilvy Interactive, Comedy Central, National Cable & Telecom Association, Sun Microsystems, Refinery, Euro RSCG, New York Post Interactive, EPB Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, BGT Partners, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, Search Engine Strategies, Internet World UK, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks all of its sponsors for helping to make this annual competition possible.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Increase your Chances of Winning!
Starting on January first, we will be publishing insiders hints for increasing your chances to win a IAC Award this year. Each weekday during January the Web Marketing Association Facebook Page will feature ideas to improve your chances to win the recognition you deserve. Be sure to sign up now.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Internet Advertising Competition Looking for Advertising Professionals to Judge 2011 Awards
The Web Marketing Association’s ninth annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards are currently excepting entries and is looking for qualified judges to help adjudicate this years 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 28, 2011.
To nominate yourself or someone within your organization, please complete the judge’s nomination form at www.iacaward.org/iac/judges.asp. Internet and advertising professionals selected as judges will be contacted during the first week of January.
“We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. “We are looking to expand the judging pool for the awards by bring on qualified advertising professionals to help us set the standard of excellence for online advertising. 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, 2011, and the general announcement of winners in will b e 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 Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
“Judging an award show like the IAC Awards is a great way to share your experience and expertise with the online advertising 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”.
To nominate yourself or someone within your organization, please complete the judge’s nomination form at www.iacaward.org/iac/judges.asp. Internet and advertising professionals selected as judges will be contacted during the first week of January.
“We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. “We are looking to expand the judging pool for the awards by bring on qualified advertising professionals to help us set the standard of excellence for online advertising. 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, 2011, and the general announcement of winners in will b e 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 Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
“Judging an award show like the IAC Awards is a great way to share your experience and expertise with the online advertising 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”.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Webmaster Radio Interview of William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association
At the recent ad:tech conference in New York, Webmaster Radio Interviewed of William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. He discussed how the organization was started and what it is doing today.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Who Has The Best Online Newsletters of 2010?
The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online newsletters of 2010 in 86 industries as part of their 9th 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 28, 2011.
Each online newsletter will be judged on copywriting, creativity, innovation, design, impact, and use of the medium. Online newsletters are a critical marketing tool for many companies trying to maintain an ongoing relationship with customers and prospects. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating online newsletters.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards will accept entries from 86 industries, including health care, biotech, airline, B2B, professional services, consumer goods, education, financial services, technology and travel just to name a few. Entries judged to be outstanding will receive an IAC Award. The entry receiving the highest score in each industry will be recognized as the best online newsletter for that industry.
The 2010 Best of Show winner for Online Newsletters was Miles Media for VISIT FLORIDA. The newsletter was also recognized as the Best Travel Online Newsletter campaign.
Other Award Winning Online Newsletters for 2010 included:
Berry Network, Inc won Best B2B Online Newsletter campaign for Advisor e-Newsletter
Deep Interactive Asia won Best Bank Online Newsletter campaign for Citibank Hong Kong Newsletter
Biggs|Gilmore won Best Consumer Goods Online Newsletter campaign for Kotex Extras and Best Food Industry Online Newsletter campaign for Rice Krispies The Spoonful
DWS Investments won Best Financial Services Online Newsletter campaign for Newsletter for Institutional Investment Professionals
ITechLaw won Best Legal Online Newsletter campaign for ITechLaw eNews
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation won Best Non-Profit Online Newsletter campaign for TD FEF - Taking Root
Integrative Logic Cetaphil® eCRM Team won Best Pharmaceuticals Online Newsletter campaign for Cetaphil Skin Care Club® eCRM Program
TD Merchant Services won Best Small Business Online Newsletter campaign for TD Merchant Services - BizBuilder
The 2010 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 28, 2010 and will be judged on design, creativity, impact, innovation, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online newsletters, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media Campaigns (New for 20111)
Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Online ad campaign
Email message
Rich media ad campaign
Rich media online ad
Online newsletter campaign
Integrated ad campaign
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online Video
Mobile Apps
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Webmaster Radio, Burst Media, Internet World UK, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, Search Engine Strategies, ad:tech conferences, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks all of its sponsors for helping to make this annual competition possible.
Each online newsletter will be judged on copywriting, creativity, innovation, design, impact, and use of the medium. Online newsletters are a critical marketing tool for many companies trying to maintain an ongoing relationship with customers and prospects. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating online newsletters.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards will accept entries from 86 industries, including health care, biotech, airline, B2B, professional services, consumer goods, education, financial services, technology and travel just to name a few. Entries judged to be outstanding will receive an IAC Award. The entry receiving the highest score in each industry will be recognized as the best online newsletter for that industry.
The 2010 Best of Show winner for Online Newsletters was Miles Media for VISIT FLORIDA. The newsletter was also recognized as the Best Travel Online Newsletter campaign.
Other Award Winning Online Newsletters for 2010 included:
Berry Network, Inc won Best B2B Online Newsletter campaign for Advisor e-Newsletter
Deep Interactive Asia won Best Bank Online Newsletter campaign for Citibank Hong Kong Newsletter
Biggs|Gilmore won Best Consumer Goods Online Newsletter campaign for Kotex Extras and Best Food Industry Online Newsletter campaign for Rice Krispies The Spoonful
DWS Investments won Best Financial Services Online Newsletter campaign for Newsletter for Institutional Investment Professionals
ITechLaw won Best Legal Online Newsletter campaign for ITechLaw eNews
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation won Best Non-Profit Online Newsletter campaign for TD FEF - Taking Root
Integrative Logic Cetaphil® eCRM Team won Best Pharmaceuticals Online Newsletter campaign for Cetaphil Skin Care Club® eCRM Program
TD Merchant Services won Best Small Business Online Newsletter campaign for TD Merchant Services - BizBuilder
The 2010 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 28, 2010 and will be judged on design, creativity, impact, innovation, copywriting, and use of the medium.
In addition to online newsletters, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Social Media Campaigns (New for 20111)
Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Online ad campaign
Email message
Rich media ad campaign
Rich media online ad
Online newsletter campaign
Integrated ad campaign
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Online Video
Mobile Apps
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011 (except for the Ads the client did not choose format which do not have to have run.)
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Webmaster Radio, Burst Media, Internet World UK, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, Search Engine Strategies, ad:tech conferences, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks all of its sponsors for helping to make this annual competition possible.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Best Online Advertising To Be Named In Internet Advertising Competition Awards
http://www.webmarketingassociation.org/images/iaclogo.jpg
The Web Marketing Association announces the Call For Entries for the 9th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. 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 28, 2011.
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 28, 2011 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats including:
Best Social Media Campaign (New for 2011)
Best Online video
Best Mobile applications
Best Online newsletter
Best Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Best Rich media online ad
Best Email message
Best Integrated ad campaign
Best Website (including best landing pages and best microsites)
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011, except for “Ads the Client did not pick, which do not need to have run.
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2011, and winners will be notified by e-mail 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 Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, 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.
The Web Marketing Association announces the Call For Entries for the 9th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. 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 28, 2011.
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 28, 2011 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats including:
Best Social Media Campaign (New for 2011)
Best Online video
Best Mobile applications
Best Online newsletter
Best Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Best Rich media online ad
Best Email message
Best Integrated ad campaign
Best Website (including best landing pages and best microsites)
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, 2010 through January 28, 2011, except for “Ads the Client did not pick, which do not need to have run.
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2011, and winners will be notified by e-mail 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 Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink.
The 2011 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, 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.
Friday, September 17, 2010
B2B Magazine Offers 10 Great b2b Sites
William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association has one again been asked to participate in B2B Magazines article "10 Great b2b Sites" by Karen Bannon.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Web Marketing Association Names the Best Web Sites in 96 Industries
The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of its14th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. More than 2,000 sites from 45 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.
"The level of excellence in website development continues to increase, constantly making the Internet a very competitive place to do business," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. "Each year the WebAwards receives amazing entries from around the world that show impressive creativity and functionality. As the Internet evolves, so does the state of website development and winning a WebAward is a great way to demonstrate the effectiveness of your Web development efforts."
Best of Show
The 2010 Best of Show WebAward is presented to Hitchcock Fleming & Associates Inc. for their exceptional work on "Glidden Website”. The site was also recognized as Best Manufacturing Website.
When Glidden decided to revamp their website, they turned to Hitchcock Fleming & Associates to help communicate feelings of fun, ease and design confidence. Through the creation of an inspiring color selector, the user-friendly new site allows consumers to visualize the room of their dreams before ever lifting a brush.
Top Agency
For the second year in a row, Extractable was named Top Agency at the 2010 WebAward Competition, taking home 27 WebAwards. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms. The Bay Area interactive agency specializing in web strategy, web design, custom technology, was recognized with Best Computer Hardware Website, Best Credit Union Website, an Outstanding Website WebAward and 24 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.
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Agencies or companies winning five or more WebAwards in 2010 include:
AGENCY AWARDS
Extractable 23
Biggs|Gilmore 22
BGT Partners 20
Risdall Marketing Group 20
LeapFrog Interactive 13
VML 13
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 12
TRAVELCLICK 12
Blenderbox Inc 9
Bridge Worldwide 9
Organic, Inc. 9
TMP Worldwide 9
AGENDA 8
Fastbooking Asia Pte Ltd 8
Arnold Worldwide 7
BrowserMedia 7
CareTech Solutions 7
Empower MediaMarketing 7
John Hancock 7
WSI 7
THOMAS IDEA CO., LTD. 6
Aristotle 5
Arc Worldwide-A Leo Burnett Co 5
Forum One Communications 5
Hanson Inc. 5
Hubbard One 5
Media Explorer Limited 5
SapientNitro 5
Savannah College of Art and Design 5
THINK Interactive 5
Walt Disney 5
WestcomZivo Limited 5
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 WebAward. 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 2010 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: ExactTarget, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, BGT Partners, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, 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 Competition has been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 14th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.
"The level of excellence in website development continues to increase, constantly making the Internet a very competitive place to do business," said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. "Each year the WebAwards receives amazing entries from around the world that show impressive creativity and functionality. As the Internet evolves, so does the state of website development and winning a WebAward is a great way to demonstrate the effectiveness of your Web development efforts."
Best of Show
The 2010 Best of Show WebAward is presented to Hitchcock Fleming & Associates Inc. for their exceptional work on "Glidden Website”. The site was also recognized as Best Manufacturing Website.
When Glidden decided to revamp their website, they turned to Hitchcock Fleming & Associates to help communicate feelings of fun, ease and design confidence. Through the creation of an inspiring color selector, the user-friendly new site allows consumers to visualize the room of their dreams before ever lifting a brush.
Top Agency
For the second year in a row, Extractable was named Top Agency at the 2010 WebAward Competition, taking home 27 WebAwards. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms. The Bay Area interactive agency specializing in web strategy, web design, custom technology, was recognized with Best Computer Hardware Website, Best Credit Union Website, an Outstanding Website WebAward and 24 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.
.
Agencies or companies winning five or more WebAwards in 2010 include:
AGENCY AWARDS
Extractable 23
Biggs|Gilmore 22
BGT Partners 20
Risdall Marketing Group 20
LeapFrog Interactive 13
VML 13
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 12
TRAVELCLICK 12
Blenderbox Inc 9
Bridge Worldwide 9
Organic, Inc. 9
TMP Worldwide 9
AGENDA 8
Fastbooking Asia Pte Ltd 8
Arnold Worldwide 7
BrowserMedia 7
CareTech Solutions 7
Empower MediaMarketing 7
John Hancock 7
WSI 7
THOMAS IDEA CO., LTD. 6
Aristotle 5
Arc Worldwide-A Leo Burnett Co 5
Forum One Communications 5
Hanson Inc. 5
Hubbard One 5
Media Explorer Limited 5
SapientNitro 5
Savannah College of Art and Design 5
THINK Interactive 5
Walt Disney 5
WestcomZivo Limited 5
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 WebAward. 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 2010 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: ExactTarget, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, BGT Partners, ad:tech conferences, NewsUSA, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, 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 Competition has been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 14th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ad:tech Full Conference Pass Drawing
Once again our friends at ad:tech Conferences have given us a free full conference pass to ad:tech NYC November 3-4 at the Javats Convention Center. If you are interested in attending without having to pay, send your name, title, company, and address to adtech@webaward.org. One winner will be randomly selected September 30th and will attend as our guest.
Join us at adtech, the world’s largest digital marketing event, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about digital marketing in one collaborative setting. Through speaking sessions and hands-on tutorials, leading industry experts will show you how to market more effectively using social media, email, mobile, search, video and more. Keynote speakers include Lauren Zalaznick, President of Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks at NBC Universal and John Furey, Founder of MindTime Project. Register now with code WMANY and save $200 off the current online price! Visit http://ad-tech.com/ny for the latest details on schedule, speakers, exhibitors and events.
Join us at adtech, the world’s largest digital marketing event, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about digital marketing in one collaborative setting. Through speaking sessions and hands-on tutorials, leading industry experts will show you how to market more effectively using social media, email, mobile, search, video and more. Keynote speakers include Lauren Zalaznick, President of Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks at NBC Universal and John Furey, Founder of MindTime Project. Register now with code WMANY and save $200 off the current online price! Visit http://ad-tech.com/ny for the latest details on schedule, speakers, exhibitors and events.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
WebAward 2010 Update
In a departure from the past, the Web Marketing Association is no longer pre-announcing the winners to the participants prior to the public release of results on September 15th.
If you entered the 2010 WebAward Competition, please log in to your nominator account and review the information submitted for each entry before September 15th. Specifically review the title of the entry and who is to be recognized for winning the award. This is information that will be included on the awards as well as information that will be posted online on our website. Only the nominator can update this information and only through the nominators account.
There were some fantastic sites submitted for review this year and our expert judges spend hundreds of hours pouring over the entries and reviewing them on seven different criteria. While not everyone can win recognition in the 2010 WebAwards, everyone benefits from the judges scores benchmarked to their industry.
For 2010, the WebAwards has also upgraded it’s physical awards. The top winner in each industry will receive a handsome gold trophy to display. The Certificate of Achievement has also been upgraded with the help of our friends at BGT Partners. We are also looking to improve our production process so that winners receive their awards quicker and with less errors, so be sure to review your entry data before September 15th.
If you entered the 2010 WebAward Competition, please log in to your nominator account and review the information submitted for each entry before September 15th. Specifically review the title of the entry and who is to be recognized for winning the award. This is information that will be included on the awards as well as information that will be posted online on our website. Only the nominator can update this information and only through the nominators account.
There were some fantastic sites submitted for review this year and our expert judges spend hundreds of hours pouring over the entries and reviewing them on seven different criteria. While not everyone can win recognition in the 2010 WebAwards, everyone benefits from the judges scores benchmarked to their industry.
For 2010, the WebAwards has also upgraded it’s physical awards. The top winner in each industry will receive a handsome gold trophy to display. The Certificate of Achievement has also been upgraded with the help of our friends at BGT Partners. We are also looking to improve our production process so that winners receive their awards quicker and with less errors, so be sure to review your entry data before September 15th.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Be Bold Be Bald
On October 22, 2010, please join us and wear a bald cap all day to show solidarity with cancer patients, raise awareness to effects of this devastating illness and raise money for charity. For a small fee ($15) you will receive your own bald cap, a tee-shirt and information on how you can help make a difference.
The Web Marketing Association has created a team for the online marketing community to help this wonderful cause. Click here to learn more and join the "I Can Make A Difference" team and receive your own Be Bold Be Bald kit.
Bold, Be Bald! was created by Small Army for a Cause, a 501c3 organization founded by members of Small Army (an advertising, marketing and creative services agency) in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization was launched in honor of Mike Connell, co-founder and former Creative Principal of Small Army, who lost his battle with cancer in 2007. Mike was an active member of the WMA and he is missed by all who knew him.
The Web Marketing Association has created a team for the online marketing community to help this wonderful cause. Click here to learn more and join the "I Can Make A Difference" team and receive your own Be Bold Be Bald kit.
Bold, Be Bald! was created by Small Army for a Cause, a 501c3 organization founded by members of Small Army (an advertising, marketing and creative services agency) in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization was launched in honor of Mike Connell, co-founder and former Creative Principal of Small Army, who lost his battle with cancer in 2007. Mike was an active member of the WMA and he is missed by all who knew him.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
WebAward Winners To Be Announced September 15th
The Web Marketing Association will announce the winners of the 2010 WebAward Competition for Website development on their website on September 15, 2010.
Participants will be contacted via email before the 15th to review their entry credits to be sure the are correct when the winners are announced.
Special thanks to the panel of expert judges who spent hundreds of hours reviewing the sites in this year's competition.
Participants will be contacted via email before the 15th to review their entry credits to be sure the are correct when the winners are announced.
Special thanks to the panel of expert judges who spent hundreds of hours reviewing the sites in this year's competition.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
2010 WebAward Call for Entry Now Closed
The extended deadline for the 2010 WebAward competition for Website Development has passed and no additional entries can now be submitted. Editing of existing entries has also been closed off.
We wish the best of luck to all of this year's participants.
We wish the best of luck to all of this year's participants.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Final Days to Enter 2010 WebAwards
Tomorrow, June 15th, is the final day to enter the 2010 WebAwards. It's now or never if you have not yet entered your best work. It's time to win the recognition you deserve. Learn more at
http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp
http://www.webaward.org/bestwebsites.asp
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
WebAward Entry Extension
The original deadline for entering the Web Marketing Association's 14th annual WebAward competition is today, May 25, 2010.
We will be extending the deadline to enter the 2010 WebAward competition without a late fee until this Friday, May 28th. Any sites submitted after this date will be subject to a late fee.
The final deadline to enter will be June 15th, right before the judges receive the sites. No sites will be accepted after this date.
For complete information on how to enter, go to www.webaward.org.
We will be extending the deadline to enter the 2010 WebAward competition without a late fee until this Friday, May 28th. Any sites submitted after this date will be subject to a late fee.
The final deadline to enter will be June 15th, right before the judges receive the sites. No sites will be accepted after this date.
For complete information on how to enter, go to www.webaward.org.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WebAwards deadline only days away!
If you are like most Internet professionals, you have already entered the 2010 WebAward competition for website development. If you have not done so yet, what are you waiting for? There is only one week - 7 days - less than 168 hours - to earn the recognition that will get you noticed. You've waited long enough, it's time to enter.
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You don't want your CEO coming to you in September and asking why your competitor won one of those cool new WebAward trophies and have to tell him or her that you missed the deadline! With 96 industries participating, of course there is a category for you.
The 14th Annual WebAward competition deadline for entry is May 25th, right before the Memorial Day Holiday in the USA. Entering is easy. Simply create a nominator account or log into an existing account from past years. This password protected area will allow you to enter multiple sites, edit the information and receive updates, results and feedback on your entries throughout the competition. Avoid a late fee by completing your Web sites entries before the deadline.
If you have already submitted your site, please make sure the entry is complete, the URL is active and any entries fees due have been paid before the deadline so the entry can be submitted to the judges.
Want to know how to increase your chances of winning a WebAward? Become a Fan of the WebAward Page on Facebook. Each day a new tip is posted to give you better insight into how to best position your entry to give it the maximum impact with the judges.
Monday, May 17, 2010
10 More WebAward Winning Tips
The Web Marketing Association is offer tips to improve your chances at winning a 2010 WebAward on the WMA Facebook Fan Page every weekday for until the May 25th entry deadline.
Here are 10 more Tips:
WebAward Tip #6 - Selecting the Most Appropriate category. The best way to pick the category your site will compete in is by saying to yourself “What would be best for my marketing program if I win?”. Many categories overlap because over the years people complained that they were one and not the other. The other thing to consider is how competitive the category might be. The “Mutual Fund” category is narrower than the “Financial Services” category and might be easier to take the top prize. However, Best Financial Services Website might have more cache for your marketing efforts. Sometimes the best idea is to enter both categories and double your chances to win.
WebAward Tip #7 - Tell Your Other Offices. One of the most prestigious awards given out each year is the Top Agency award, given to the agency which wins the most awards in a given year. If your agency has multiple offices or international offices, make sure they submit their entries also. We will combine all offices of the same company to count for that award.
WebAward Tip #8 - Non-English sites Are Welcome! The international WebAwards accepts sites in 10 languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and Turkish) and assigns these sites to judges who are fluent in that language. However, if an English version of the site is available, please submit that site as we have many more English speaking judges that other languages.
WebAward Tip #9 - Don’t Forget Microsites. It’s not just major enterprise websites that win awards. Sometimes it is the microsite, a site dedicated to a single product or concept, that does very well. It all starts with the URL you submit on the entry form.
WebAward Tip #10 - It’s Not Just The Big Names That Win. We pride ourselves for having a fair competition where it’s not only big brands that win. Judges are assigned sites to review without knowing who else might be in the category. Other website award programs have a history of sending only “big name” sites judges as nominated sites. At the WebAwards, the judges review all of the sites and the one with the highest scores wins.
WebAward Tip #11 - Enter The Same Site Every Year. Your site does not have to be new to enter the WebAwards each year. As Internet standards change, judges view sites differently and criteria scores can be different year over year. It’s a great way to benchmark your site and know what areas need to be improved over time.
WebAward Tip #12 - The URL You Enter Is Our Starting Point. Judges start their review based on the URL provided on the entry form, so you can submit sections of an overall website, not just the homepage. This is helpful when one division or product line has great content and wants to promote itself, but the site is part of a larger organization.
WebAward Tip #13 - Blog About The WebAwards. The more people know about the WebAwards, the more impressed they will be when they hear you have won one. Please help us by blogging about the WebAwards and sending people to www.webaward.org to learn more.
WebAward Tip #14 – Don’t Enter A Banner Ad. Each year several banner ad campaigns are entered the WebAwards and the nominators are always disappointed that they do not win because they don’t have meet the requirements of a website. Banner ads belong in the annual IAC Awards, not the WebAwards.
WebAward Tip #15 - Don’t Enter A Landing Page. Each year landing pages are entered the WebAwards and rarely do they win awards. Landing pages usually are missing several key elements of a complete website and they are better suited to the annual IAC Awards, not the WebAwards. Micro sites however, tend to do very well because of their narrow focus.
Click here to enter the 14th annual Web Marketing Association WebAwards.
Here are 10 more Tips:
WebAward Tip #6 - Selecting the Most Appropriate category. The best way to pick the category your site will compete in is by saying to yourself “What would be best for my marketing program if I win?”. Many categories overlap because over the years people complained that they were one and not the other. The other thing to consider is how competitive the category might be. The “Mutual Fund” category is narrower than the “Financial Services” category and might be easier to take the top prize. However, Best Financial Services Website might have more cache for your marketing efforts. Sometimes the best idea is to enter both categories and double your chances to win.
WebAward Tip #7 - Tell Your Other Offices. One of the most prestigious awards given out each year is the Top Agency award, given to the agency which wins the most awards in a given year. If your agency has multiple offices or international offices, make sure they submit their entries also. We will combine all offices of the same company to count for that award.
WebAward Tip #8 - Non-English sites Are Welcome! The international WebAwards accepts sites in 10 languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Greek and Turkish) and assigns these sites to judges who are fluent in that language. However, if an English version of the site is available, please submit that site as we have many more English speaking judges that other languages.
WebAward Tip #9 - Don’t Forget Microsites. It’s not just major enterprise websites that win awards. Sometimes it is the microsite, a site dedicated to a single product or concept, that does very well. It all starts with the URL you submit on the entry form.
WebAward Tip #10 - It’s Not Just The Big Names That Win. We pride ourselves for having a fair competition where it’s not only big brands that win. Judges are assigned sites to review without knowing who else might be in the category. Other website award programs have a history of sending only “big name” sites judges as nominated sites. At the WebAwards, the judges review all of the sites and the one with the highest scores wins.
WebAward Tip #11 - Enter The Same Site Every Year. Your site does not have to be new to enter the WebAwards each year. As Internet standards change, judges view sites differently and criteria scores can be different year over year. It’s a great way to benchmark your site and know what areas need to be improved over time.
WebAward Tip #12 - The URL You Enter Is Our Starting Point. Judges start their review based on the URL provided on the entry form, so you can submit sections of an overall website, not just the homepage. This is helpful when one division or product line has great content and wants to promote itself, but the site is part of a larger organization.
WebAward Tip #13 - Blog About The WebAwards. The more people know about the WebAwards, the more impressed they will be when they hear you have won one. Please help us by blogging about the WebAwards and sending people to www.webaward.org to learn more.
WebAward Tip #14 – Don’t Enter A Banner Ad. Each year several banner ad campaigns are entered the WebAwards and the nominators are always disappointed that they do not win because they don’t have meet the requirements of a website. Banner ads belong in the annual IAC Awards, not the WebAwards.
WebAward Tip #15 - Don’t Enter A Landing Page. Each year landing pages are entered the WebAwards and rarely do they win awards. Landing pages usually are missing several key elements of a complete website and they are better suited to the annual IAC Awards, not the WebAwards. Micro sites however, tend to do very well because of their narrow focus.
Click here to enter the 14th annual Web Marketing Association WebAwards.
Monday, May 03, 2010
How to Transform a Marketing Website into an Award Winning Site
Let’s face it – every Website on the Internet is a “marketing Website”. Whether it is a company trying to sell a product to a customer or a 15 year old high school girl trying to sell herself to her friends on MySpace, Websites are designed to promote a brand, product, person, company or idea to a global audience. And it works and works well. The question is then how to transform your B2B or B2C Website to rise above the rest and be worthy of recognition.
For almost a decade and a half, the Web Marketing Association has watched websites evolve and become important communication tools for marketing and commerce. Our WebAward competition for Website development has recorded more than 24,000 site reviews and recognized the best websites in 96 industries each year. Based on this award program research, here are four ways to make your website a more effective part of your online marketing efforts.
Focus on Content – Content is what people come looking for on your site. While every sites is different, straight information often does not always cut it any more. Users expect much more when they come to a Website looking for product information. They want to see links to manuals, customer testimonials or ratings, and virtual demos. Content today needs to be entertaining as much as it is informative. As browsers go mobile, be sure your content is suitable for mobile browsers and consider special content just for mobile visitors.
Make the Site Come Alive – People what to be entertained and use all of their senses when they come to a Website. The experience is what makes a lasting impression. Sound can be a powerful tool. I remember one WebAward winner that allowed you to click on difficult medical words to hear how they sound and to learn to pronounce them. Simple technology that provides a valuable experience can give a user the confidence needed to talk a medical provider on important personal issues.
Appropriate use of Flash can also add much to a site. 73% of last year’s WebAward winning sites used Flash to enhance the user experience. Flash can enhance navigation and be used to create outstanding3D product demos for products and virtual tours for restaurants and hotel Websites. At the same time, overuse can make a sites seem cluttered and overwhelming.
Personalize the Experience – Databases changed Websites from flat hard-coded html pages where everyone saw the same thing every time, to dynamic pages where everything is added on the fly based on the needs of the specific page at that time. This also allows Websites to know their customer better when they return. Amazon.com is a great example of this. Every time you return, you can see past searches and purchases as well as what other buyers of those products were interested in as well.
Be careful that personalization does not become a barrier. Some Website make it hard for me to return by not remembering my username and password. Security feature? Not to me it isn’t. It’s bad customer service that will end up having me find another site. Yes you can target offers to me if you know who I am, but if all you do is target me, then I’m likely to know it and move on.
Consistent Brand Experience – What consumers experience online should be complimentary to what you are trying to accomplish offline. All too often interactive developers loose focus of the brand intent when implementing the online brand strategy. Often silos between traditional advertising and interactive departments result in opportunities being missed. The Internet can help you target you brand messaging to a tighter audience, but the brand values must be consistent everywhere the consumer interacts with the brand.
Bottom line
Websites today are too important as a branding and sales tool to not spend the effort to make sure that you stay on the cutting edge within their industry. Remember everything is relative when it comes to website development. It does not matter what Mercedes is doing on their Website – unless you are BMW. Focus on what your competitors are doing and make sure you keep the needs of the customer as priority one. This will help you stay one step ahead and make sure your efforts put you in good light when a potential customer is choosing between you and your competition.
William Rice is President of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the annual international WebAward competition for Website development. Now in its 14th year, the annual international WebAwards competition 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 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. For more information, visit www.webaward.org.
For almost a decade and a half, the Web Marketing Association has watched websites evolve and become important communication tools for marketing and commerce. Our WebAward competition for Website development has recorded more than 24,000 site reviews and recognized the best websites in 96 industries each year. Based on this award program research, here are four ways to make your website a more effective part of your online marketing efforts.
Focus on Content – Content is what people come looking for on your site. While every sites is different, straight information often does not always cut it any more. Users expect much more when they come to a Website looking for product information. They want to see links to manuals, customer testimonials or ratings, and virtual demos. Content today needs to be entertaining as much as it is informative. As browsers go mobile, be sure your content is suitable for mobile browsers and consider special content just for mobile visitors.
Make the Site Come Alive – People what to be entertained and use all of their senses when they come to a Website. The experience is what makes a lasting impression. Sound can be a powerful tool. I remember one WebAward winner that allowed you to click on difficult medical words to hear how they sound and to learn to pronounce them. Simple technology that provides a valuable experience can give a user the confidence needed to talk a medical provider on important personal issues.
Appropriate use of Flash can also add much to a site. 73% of last year’s WebAward winning sites used Flash to enhance the user experience. Flash can enhance navigation and be used to create outstanding3D product demos for products and virtual tours for restaurants and hotel Websites. At the same time, overuse can make a sites seem cluttered and overwhelming.
Personalize the Experience – Databases changed Websites from flat hard-coded html pages where everyone saw the same thing every time, to dynamic pages where everything is added on the fly based on the needs of the specific page at that time. This also allows Websites to know their customer better when they return. Amazon.com is a great example of this. Every time you return, you can see past searches and purchases as well as what other buyers of those products were interested in as well.
Be careful that personalization does not become a barrier. Some Website make it hard for me to return by not remembering my username and password. Security feature? Not to me it isn’t. It’s bad customer service that will end up having me find another site. Yes you can target offers to me if you know who I am, but if all you do is target me, then I’m likely to know it and move on.
Consistent Brand Experience – What consumers experience online should be complimentary to what you are trying to accomplish offline. All too often interactive developers loose focus of the brand intent when implementing the online brand strategy. Often silos between traditional advertising and interactive departments result in opportunities being missed. The Internet can help you target you brand messaging to a tighter audience, but the brand values must be consistent everywhere the consumer interacts with the brand.
Bottom line
Websites today are too important as a branding and sales tool to not spend the effort to make sure that you stay on the cutting edge within their industry. Remember everything is relative when it comes to website development. It does not matter what Mercedes is doing on their Website – unless you are BMW. Focus on what your competitors are doing and make sure you keep the needs of the customer as priority one. This will help you stay one step ahead and make sure your efforts put you in good light when a potential customer is choosing between you and your competition.
William Rice is President of the Web Marketing Association, sponsor of the annual international WebAward competition for Website development. Now in its 14th year, the annual international WebAwards competition 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 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. For more information, visit www.webaward.org.
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