The eagerly anticipated 2014 Performance Marketing Awards shortlist is now live, ahead of the biggest night in the industry’s calendar taking place next month.
With 25 hotly contested categories, including four new for 2014, the competition has been stronger than ever – this year has seen an increase in the number of entries for an eighth consecutive year.
A 16-strong judging panel, featuring prominent figures from the likes of Google, LOVEFiLM, Facebook, BT, PwC and the Guardian, were tasked with identifying those entries that were head and shoulders above the rest.
The judges dissected entries based on a strict criteria including clear objectives, feasibility, execution, ROI, innovation and success over a three-week period, before coming together for a final judging day earlier this month.
Diversity and evolution
A frequent comment during the judging day was the impressive range of diversity on display in this year’s entries, making it a tough decision to select a final shortlist.
Josie Shah, Director, Partner Marketing for Hotels.com said, “I enjoyed seeing great progress and demonstrations of how the industry is moving fowards, challenging the way business has been done before.”
Co-founder of Squawka, Leo Harrison, commented: “Once again the bar has been raised at this year’s Performance Marketing Awards. It’s harder to win than ever before, which is great testament to all the brilliant work being done within the industry.”
Richie Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at Park Resorts was impressed by the continued industry evolution demonstrated in entries, “For me judging this year’s entries has ratified the performance marketing discipline as continuing to be as innovative as ever. In a maturing digital marketplace performance marketers are still finding lucrative, creative and on brand methods of driving value for both consumers and publishers.”
Voting opens
The unveiling of the shortlist also signals the start of the voting period for both the Industry Choice of Partner and Hotshot Rising Star awards.
The all new Industry Choice of Partner award saw PerformanceIN call upon stakeholders from across performance marketing to nominate the publisher, advertiser, network or technology provider integral to the success of their campaigns in 2013. More than 150 nominations were scrutinised and whittled down to a final shortlist of 24, including Rakuten Marketing, Quidco, ASDA and John Lewis.
The Hotshot Rising Star award provides the chance for the next generation of performance marketing to be rewarded for their performance in their first years working within the industry. There are a total of six candidates in the running to pick up this year’s Hotshot award, who will have to wait until the night of the awards in April to learn if they have claimed this highly sought-after award.
The voting period will run until midnight on April 04 2014 – cast your vote today.
The very best in performance marketing
On April 29 2014, for one night only, the very best in performance marketing will be together under the same roof, providing an unrivalled platform to enhance and build key relationships within the industry.
PerformanceIN MD, Sarah Parsonage, added, “A momentary glance at this year’s awards shortlist is all you need to see how integral performance marketing is to the modern advertising campaign.
“Every single entry on there is overflowing with evidence of engagement and return on investment. The diversity and competition on display has me particularly excited as I eagerly await the main event on April 29.”
To take your position alongside the leading names in performance marketing, you can book a table online or contact us directly on +44 (0)117 203 3010. Tables are allocated in order of purchase, so book now to secure your table position amongst the best seats in the house.