Stuff given out by the WMA

We would like to congratulate the following people for receiving free stuff from the Web Marketing Association and the WebAward program:

Stephen Kennedy of RiverRadio.net received a full conference pass to ad:tech SF for completing our survey from the last issue of Interactive Briefing.

Tisha Rogers of Worldwide Brands, Inc received a $100 AMEX Gift Card for stopping by our booth at eComXpo.

Jim Stone, Director, Marketing at Seenon received a video iPod for stopping by our booth at the Hollywood OMMA conference.

Stop by our booth at SES NY, ad:tech or Internet World UK for a chance to receive a 30gb Video iPod.

Big Ideas and the Garment of Trust

Big Ideas and the Garment of Trust - Mike Connell, Creative Principal with Small Army in Boston muses on ideas and the roll of trust in making them come to life in the March issue of Interactive Briefing, the Web Marketing Association's monthly newsletter.

If you do not already get the newsletter, you can sign up for it at our mailing list page.

WebAward Participants Have It Easy

One great feature that has been added to the Web Marketing Association’s WebAward program this year is the ability of last year’s participants to enter their Websites into the 2007 WebAwards with a single click.

When participants log in to their nominator account, they will see an option to enter selected sites into this year’s WebAward program. They then can update the information as needed, but save a lot of time and effort not entering what has not changed.

It’s just one more way the Web Marketing Assocaition is trying to make your life a little easier.

1to1 and online innovation

The 1to1 Blog recently wrote an posting "Is Web Innovation Dead?" by Mila D'Antonio. She spoke with Bill Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association about the WebAwards and the judging criteria.

At the end of the post she asks "What have you found that's innovative online? Please share the Web site and examples. If you have any good examples of online innovation, drop her a line.

Therapy Times

Therapy Times - Here's an article from the Web Marketing Association's Interactive Briefing monthly newsletter that discusses how one award winning site went from idea to inception.

Web Marketing Association is looking for the Best Web sites in 96 Industry Categories

The Web Marketing Association is now accepting entries into its 11th annual international WebAward Competition. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets industry benchmarks and recognized the best web sites in 96 industries. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2007 and the WebAward Web site is located at www.webaward.org.

“Even the most amazing web sites remain invisible without the proper recognition,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “The WebAward competition not only recognizes the best web sites on the Internet today, but our participants get valuable feedback from our experts judges to help make their web site better in the future”.

The WebAwards competition judges website entries on seven criteria: design, innovation, content, use of technology, interactivity, copywriting and ease of use. Participants receive not only their score for each criteria, but the average for their industry and the overall WebAwards to provide them benchmarks for their own web development efforts.

Participants in the 2007 WebAwards will receive:

• An independent evaluation of their Website
• Valuable feedback to help benchmark your efforts and it relationship to its industry.
• A free copy of the 2008 Internet Standards Assessment Report when published

If your site wins a WebAward, you will also get:

• A beautiful image plaque or certificate of achievement to display proudly
• Higher visibility for your company
• A great marketing opportunity to promote your site to the media
• Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
• Best of Industry winners will also receive a free press release distributed by PRWeb.

Judges are leading Internet professionals that are selected from hundreds of nominations every year. They volunteer their time and talent to help improve the standard of excellence of Web development. Most judges have participated in the WebAwards for several years.

Judging for the 2006 WebAwards will take place in June through August, with winners 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.

The WMA’s WebAward competition is the only major award program to provide in-depth, quantitative analysis of results that help entrants develop standards of excellence for future innovation. The aggregated results of each WebAward competition are published in the annual Internet Standards Assessment Report which will be provided to each participant.

To enter, go to www.webaward.org and create a free nominator account. The deadline is May 31,2007 so don't wait, enter today!

Internet World London

The Web Marketing Association will be appearing at several leading conferences this Spring to support the call for enries of the 2007 WebAward Competition. The WMA is a association sponsor of this event.

Internet World London
May 1-3
Earls Court, London

Internet World is the leading event for decision makers responsible for their organisation's digital marketing and Internet presence. It is the UK's largest B2B Internet event. Hear Keynotes from Proctor & Gamble, Channel 4, British Gas, MTV, Porsche, Yahoo! Search Marketing, J Sainsbury's, Cheapflights, John Lewis, 02, i-level, Asda, BEBO amongst many others. Also learn about the latest trends and developments and meet over 250 companies who can help you implement these into your online strategy.

We need your input - and will send you to ad:tech for it!

The Web Marketing Association and the WebAwards are conducting a brief survey to gage opinions on web development and Internet marketing. It should take no more than 5 minutes of your time and you will be entered to win a free full-conference pass to ad:tech (San Francisco or New York, your choice) a $1,200 value.

Click here to take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=38953500077

The deadline to take this survey is March 30, 2007.

Winners of the 2007 Internet Advertising Competition Awards

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.

“Online advertising is finally getting the recognition it deserves and The Web Marketing Association is pleased to help set the standard for Internet excellence,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association, Inc. “Spending for online advertising continues to grow rapidly and the IAC Awards highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry.”

2007 Best of Show Awards were awarded in each of the online medium categories. This year's winners include:

Fishbowl Marketing for Shamrock The Vote (Best Ads the Client Did Not Pick)

IQ Interactive for "Explorer" Video Newsletter (Best of Show Email Message)

blast! PR for NASCAR.com Revs Up Fans with Email Marketing (Best of Show Email Message Campaign)

TMX Communications for Find the Time Capsule Campaign (Best of Show Integrated ad campaign)

Hornall Anderson Design Works for My Family (Best of Show Interactive Application)

Wunderman Team Detroit for My Dream (Best of Show Microsite/Landing Page)

Idea Integration for Sony Noise Canceling Headphones (Best of Show Online ad)

Palm Communication for Oryctolagus cuniculus (Best of Show Online Campaign)

Coldwell Banker Seal for Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal eNews (Best of Show Online Newsletter Campaign)

Ayzenberg Group for Mobile Suite GUNDAM Crossfire rich media creative (Best of Show Rich Media Online Ad)

Profero for Mess With Your Mind (Best of Show Rich Media Online Campaign)


For the third year in a row, TMX Communications of Conshohocken, PA was recognized with the 2006 Top Agency Award, winning 15 IAC Awards. Their awards included 1 Best of show, 13 Best of Industry awards and two Outstanding awards.


Other IAC Award winners who received multiple awards included:

AGENCY - number of awards

TMX Communications - 16
OTOlabs - 13
Bridge Worldwide - 12
Critical Mass - 11
The white agency - 10
Avenue A | Razorfish - 7
Beyond Interactive - 7
15 letters inc. - 6
Marketel - 6
Cheil Communications America - 5
Mullen - 5
TM Interactive - 5
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts - 4
Zooma - 4
Smashing Ideas - 4
DWS Scudder - 4
Disney Online - 4
Dawson Walker Communications - 4
Creative Digital Group - 4
Biggs-Gilmore Communications - 4


The Competition web site with a complete list of winners is located at www.advertisingcompetition.org



The Web Marketing Association is now also accepting entries for the 11th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.07webaward.org. Deadline for entry is May 31st 2007.

Web Trends Survey

The Web Marketing Association and the WebAwards are conducting a brief survey to gage opinions on web development and Internet marketing. It should take no more than 5 minutes of your time and you will be entered to win a free full-conference pass to ad:tech (San Francisco or New York, your choice) a $1,200 value.

Click here to take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=38953500077

The deadline to take this survey is March 30, 2007.

Is social networking just online communities?

We at the Web Marketing Association are always looking for new industry categories to add to our WebAward competition for Web site development.

We have received a number of requests to add social networking as a new category. These days you can't open a magazine or newsletter without hearing about MySpace, LinkedIn or a hundred other Websites where people come together to meet.

My question is this: Isn't social networking simply the latest buzz word to describe online communities? Online communities have been a category in the WebAwards since 1998, the year after the WebAwards was started.

Can anyone explain to why one is different from another or is this just a new coat of paint on a old car?

Web Marketing Association at OMMA

The Web Marketing Association is appearing at OMMA West in Hollywood today to promote the upcoming WebAward Competition. So far the sessions have been outstanding. Arianna Huntington of The Huntington Post talking about the need to be fearless when it comes to developing Web content.

The trade show area is small and intimate. There are some great exhibitors like PRWeb, eMarketer, website Magazine. The people here seem very interested in the WebAwards and several judges and participants have stopped by to say hello.

Tribal Fusion presented a session on social media for B2B marketers thant provided an interesting overview but did not get into much "how to" detail. Still, it provided a very good overview of the subject.

if you're in Southern California, I suggest you stop by the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and check out this great conferance.

EcomXpo video on YouTube

EcomXpo is a virtual trade show that allows to you to see great presentations and exhibitors without having to leave the comforts of your home or office.

The next eComXpo will be held March 20-22, 2007. Registration for this event is completely free of charge! You can register for the event by clicking the link below.


http://www.ecomxpo.com/FreeRegistration.htm

The Web Marketing Association will be exhibiting in the hall to promote the WebAward Competition 2007 Call for Entries. William Rice, Preident of the Web Marketing Association will also be leading a panel at the event.

Here is a funny short movie that gives you an idea what to expect.

Adweek Covers Internet Standards Assessment Report

AdWeek Magazine ran a story on its site today entitled Site Development Lags Expectations. In it, Brian Morrissey writes that Despite increased attention by many companies to their digital presence, a wide-ranging study has found that found Web site development is not keeping pace with consumer expectations.

The article is based on the findings of the Internet Standard Assessment Report generated from the 2006 WebAward Competition.

You can read the entire article at http://www.adweek.com/aw/iq_interactive/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003554524

New Web Marketing Association Report Details Trends in Award Winning Websites Derived from a Decade of Hosting Internet Award Competition, WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association, today released its Internet Standards Assessment Report (ISAR), which provides industry-specific benchmarking data for web development. For the second year in a row, the ISAR Index, has shown a decline in the overall standard of excellence in Web development across 96 industries.

The ISAR index is an average of all scores in the Web Marketing Association’s WebAward competition sine 1997. Index fell from 52.2 in 2005 to 50.7 in 2006, a reduction of 3%.

“The ISAR Index is the benchmark that many organizations use to compare their Web development efforts to’, said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Web standards are not falling, we believe that consumer expectations, as reflected in the judges scores, indicate that Web sites have to work harder at creating a total user experience that both informs and entertains the visitors who reach their sites.”

The ISAR report includes the following just-released information:
• Detailed Industry findings as compared to historical trends
• Best and Worst Industries in Web Development
• Best and Worst Industries as they compare to the 7 criteria for a successful Website
• Award-wining sites for each industry
• Commentary for each industry as compared to the overall competition in 2006

Information within the report is derived form the Web Marketing Association’s annual WebAward competition (www.webaward.org) which judges websites in 96 industries based on the seven criteria that combined help create award-winning websites.

The WebAward’s seven criteria for a successful Website include:
• Design
• Innovation
• Content
• Technology
• Interactivity
• Copywriting
• Ease of Use

The ISAR report also includes an index with a running benchmark of web development to which each industry can draw comparisons. Drawing off information found in the ISAR report, web developers and others within organizations responsible for web design, can leverage statistical data to make more informed decisions in an effort to create more effect websites.

“The most successful award-winning websites develop the correct balance of design, innovation and technology to create a total user experience,” said Rice. “Once the total user experience is attained, the site becomes a sales tool itself because it has captured the visitor and the winners of the WebAward do this especially well.”

According to the ISAR report, the five best industries for Website development in 2006 were:
1. Airline Websites
2. Computer Retailer Websites
3. Game Site Websites
4. Toy & Hobby Websites
5. Food Websites

The worst overall industry websites included those such as Brokerages, Credit Unions and ISP websites.

To request your copy of the 2007 WebAward ISAR report, please visit: http://www.webaward.org/isar_report.asp

ad:tech San Francisco

The Web Marketing Association will be appearing at several leading conferences this Spring to support the launch of the 2007 WebAward Competition Call for Entries. The WMA is a association sponsor of this event.

ad:tech San Francisco
April 25 & 26
Moscone Center, San Francisco

ad:tech San Francisco is an interactive advertising and technology conference dedicated to connecting all sides of today's brand marketing landscape. Worldwide shows blend keynote speakers, topic driven panels and interactive workshops to provide attendees with the tools and techniques they need to compete in a changing world. We're committed to bringing you the now and the next of modern marketing.

Net.Finance Conference

The Web Marketing Association will be appearing at several leading conferences this Spring to support the 2007 WebAward Competition. The WMA is a association sponsor of this event.

Net.Finance 2007
April 16th-19th
Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, AZ

Optimize Your Online Channels To Develop And Drive Customer-Centric Marketing Strategies:

•Align Your Marketing Strategies To Provide Products & Services Your Customers Truly Need And Want

•Improve the Customer Experience To Boost Customer Acquisition, Satisfaction, And Loyalty

•Address The Challenges of Multi-Channel Integration To Achieve Channel Consistency And Interoperability

•Secure Your Online Channels Through Authentication And Effective Risk Management

All Web Marketing Association blog readers are entitled to a 15% discount with code WMA, just call 1.888.482.6012 or visit the Net.Finance website.

Search Engine Strategies New York

The Web Marketing Association will be appearing at several leading conferences this Spring to support the 2007 WebAward Competition. The WMA is a association sponsor of this event.

Search Engine Strategies New York
April 10-13
Hilton New York, NYC

Search Engine Strategies New York is a 4 day, multi-track conference that specifically addresses search engine advertising (SEM/SEO). This event features presentations and panel discussions from industry experts including representatives from the search engines themselves; interactive and in-depth sessions & workshops; and an exclusive look at the latest search trends & developments. This is our 8th annual conference and remains the only event dedicated to search and its place within the corporate marketing mix.

Early Bird Special: Register by Friday, March 23rd, 2007 and save $100. Save an extra 10% off when you use priority code 10WMA.

Using RSS to Expand Online Marketing Programs

The Web Marketing Association's WebAward Competition is pleased to recommend this white paper that discusses RSS as a customer communications channel, how it complements your email programs, and best practices for its use. (Registration required, PDF)

eComXpo

The Web Marketing Association will be appearing at several leading conferences this Spring to support the launch of the 2007 WebAward Competition. The WMA is a association sponsor of this event.

eComXpo
March 20-22
Online at www.ecomxpo.com/home.htm

eComXpo is the virtual tradeshow for search, affiliate and interactive marketers. Since the show is 100% online and virtual, you can attend from the comfort of your home or office computer. All the benefits of a top tradeshow, without the hassle or expense associated with traditional tradeshows. More than 7,000 advertisers, publishers, search marketers, merchants, affiliates, networks, agencies and vendors will attend, making this the world's largest tradeshow for ecommerce marketers.

William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association, will be moderating a panel at this conference. Stay tuned for more detail.