CATEGORIES / FEES / REQUIREMENTS

Direct Marketing

Direct Marketing recognizes communications to a clear target group, with a call to action, and defined results.

View 2021 Winners

ELIGIBILITY: January 1, 2021 - March 4, 2022

INFORMATION: Project information is required on all entries. A detailed project description (300 words or less) is not required, but is highly recommended.

MEDIA: Each category accepts specific media types. Media can be attached to your entry after your category is selected.

Judging Media: The primary material and content that the jury will be judging.
Supporting Media: Secondary material and content that the jury may review at their discretion.
Reference Media: These images will be used for reference but will not be judged.

Direct Marketing
Physical Items

DM_01: Physical Items
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of physical pieces of advertising that target a specific audience. Includes pieces delivered via mail, messenger, handouts, postings, etc.

Direct Marketing
Out of Home

DM_02: Out of Home - P.O.P. & In-Store
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of promotions placed in-store or at point-of-sale, targeting a specific audience. Includes posters, shelf banners, 3D displays, etc.

DM_03: Out of Home - Billboards & Transit
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of advertisements which appears in or around transit, targeting a specific audience. Includes billboards, bus shelters, subways, taxis, and airports.

Direct Marketing
Targeted Video

DM_04: Targeted Video - On Location
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of videos created for exclusive viewing by an audience in a specific location. Includes work done for lobby displays, events, amusement parks, etc.
NOTE: Entries cannot have also appeared online or over broadcast television.

DM_05: Targeted Video - Online
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of online videos targeted for a specific audience.

Direct Marketing
Experiential

DM_06: Experiential - Brand Installations
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of immersive advertising targeted for a specific audience, in which each user determines their own experience based on their interaction with the work. Includes kiosks, takeovers, pop-ups, trade show booths, constructed public environments, etc.

DM_07: Experiential - In-Person Events
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of planned public events, competitions, or social gatherings centered around a brand, in which the targeted audience connects exclusively in a physical space.

DM_08: Experiential - Virtual Events
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of planned public events, competitions, or social gatherings centered around a brand, in which the targeted audience connects exclusively via digital channels.

DM_09: Experiential - Customer Experience / CX
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A system (2-10) of touchpoints that define the overall perception of a brand, based on the users' interactions with it. Includes physical and digital presence as well as brand voice and tone applied to customer service channels.

Direct Marketing
Digital & Online

DM_10: Digital & Online - Websites & Mobile
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of websites, microsites, or mobile applications as a tool for engagement with a brand's targeted demographic.

DM_11: Digital & Online - Ecommerce
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of branded online tools or websites that facilitate the buying, selling, or trading of goods or services to engage with a brand's targeted demographic.

DM_12: Digital & Online - Email & Newsletters
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of email communications as a tool for engagement with a brand's targeted demographic.

DM_13: Digital & Online - Banners & Pop-ups
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of online banner advertisements as a tool for engagement with a brand's targeted demographic.

Direct Marketing
Social Media Post

DM_14: Social Media Post - Single
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) social media post or online video as a tool for engagement with a brand's targeted demographic.

DM_15: Social Media Post - Series
Final Deadline Fee: $900.00

The use of a series (2-5) of social media posts, channels, or online videos as a tool for engagement with a brand's targeted demographic.

Direct Marketing
Use of Smart Devices & Voice Assistants

DM_16: Use of Smart Devices & Voice Assistants
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of smart devices or platforms to communicate and interact with consumers on behalf of a brand. Includes wearables, smart speakers, Google Home, Alexa, Apple Siri, Facebook Portal, etc.

Direct Marketing
Non-traditional & Guerrilla Marketing

DM_17: Non-traditional & Guerrilla Marketing
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

The use of a single (1) or series (2-5) of unconventional and/or low budget techniques outside of standard marketing strategy to engage with a brand's targeted audience. Includes wild postings, stunts, etc.

Direct Marketing
Integrated Campaign

DM_18: Integrated Campaign
Final Deadline Fee: $950.00

A fully integrated direct marketing campaign consisting of 3-10 elements, executed in at least 3 mediums. Mediums can include, but are not limited to, television, print, online, outdoor, or radio.
NOTE: Project videos should include at least 3 different mediums in the campaign.

Direct Marketing
Brand Partnerships

DM_19: Brand Partnerships
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Two or more brands working together to create a single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work.
NOTE: Entries must include all client/brand names involved in the work.
NOTE: All brands involved should also be listed under the full credits.

Direct Marketing
Craft

DM_20: Craft - Art Direction
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Communication of the overall visual appearance of a single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work.

DM_21: Craft - Writing
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Writing in a single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work.

DM_22: Craft - Printing / Production
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Specialized printing or production techniques applied to a single (1) or series (2-5) of physical direct marketing work.

DM_23: Craft - Use of Technology
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Specialized digital technologies applied to a single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work.

DM_24: Craft - Data-Driven Personalization
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

Use of a specific data set to personalize advertising in a single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work.

Direct Marketing
Innovation & Transformation

DM_25: Innovation in Direct Marketing
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work that explores transformative ideas, devices, or methods in its execution and pushes the discipline forward.
NOTE: Entries must include a written explanation of the innovative and transformative aspects of the work.

DM_26: Innovation in Lockdown
Final Deadline Fee: $750.00

A single (1) or series (2-5) of direct marketing work in which innovation and ingenuity were applied to overcome limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
NOTE: Entries must include a written explanation of the ingenuity of the methods used to create the work and/or to engage the client's audience in a way that addressed the challenges of the pandemic, including social distancing, travel restrictions, talent limitations, reduced budgets, work from home, etc.