With the countdown to April’s ceremony well underway, the shortlist for the Performance Marketing Awards 2015 has been revealed.

With more companies entering this year’s awards than ever before, Best Performance Marketing Agency, The Retail Award, Best Managed Affiliate Programme and Best Paid Search Campaign were among the most highly subscribed categories.

Leading entries were identified by the judging panel, featuring experts from Arcadia, Google, Hotels.com, the IAB, GroupM and many more. Judges were tasked with pinpointing the outstanding contributors to performance marketing across an ever-expanding range of categories.

Entries were assessed on their ability to meet strict criteria, including pre-set campaign objectives, execution, return on investment, innovation and overall success.

Judges this year remarked on the clear objectives exhibited by entrants and strength of the applications, in addition to the benefits of walking away with a prize.

“The value of winning these awards is a huge shout out to you and your company, or the brands that you’re working with, in front of your peers,” said VP & managing director EMEA at Marin Software, Jon Myers.

“It’s a big annual event now and I think the fact that you get to stand up in front of all the companies you compete with on a week-by-week basis, year after year, and to actually say you’re the best in a category at the awards is not only a huge buzz for yourself, as the individual, but also as a company.”

Voting period

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.

Having been revamped last year, the Industry Choice of Partner accolade saw PerformanceIN call upon stakeholders from across the performance marketing landscape to nominate a specific publisher, advertiser, network or technology provider deemed key to the success of their campaigns in 2014.

The Hotshot Rising Star award recognises and celebrates the next generation in performance marketing, reserved for individuals who have shown great potential in the early stages of their career.

The polling window for both prizes will run until April 4 2015, and you can cast your vote here.

Celebrating achievements

The Grosvenor House Hotel will once again play host to the Performance Marketing Awards, taking place on April 28 2015.

In addition to celebrating achievements within the industry, the awards provides an unrivalled platform to enhance and build key relationships.

“This year has seen notable diversity in entries across the board, spanning the full performance marketing industry,” said PerformanceIN MD Sarah Parsonage.

“The considerable increase in different companies and brands included on this year’s shortlist is testament to the increasingly vital role that performance has to play in today’s advertising and marketing campaigns.”

“Each successful entry has shown evidence of innovation, engagement and dedication and I look forward to seeing the outcome of these efforts at the main event next month.”

To ensure your position alongside the leading names in performance marketing, 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 among the best seats in the house.

You can also view the full shortlist of nominations here.