Connect Awards 2008
EXTENDED DEADLINE: 30 JUNE
TIPS
The judges will be looking for examples of outstanding campaigns, strategies, projects and performance, backed up with hard evidence of success. Each submission must indicate clearly to the judges the nature and degree of difficulty of the challenge faced. Strategies and campaigns will be judged on outcomes and achievements as well as on the strength of the insight and strategy.
Categories
I) Data categories
CHANNEL CATEGORIES
A. Intelligent use of data in a direct mail campaign
Entries should demonstrate methods for targeting customers or prospects, showing an understanding of the target market, any innovation in the sourcing of data, analysis and use of specific techniques such as modelling and segmentation.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
B. Intelligent use of data in an email campaign
Entries should explain how the email data was sourced, how it was used in the campaign, and how the analysis, modelling, and segmentation of that data impacted the response rate.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
INDUSTRY SECTOR CATEGORIES
C. Intelligent use of data in a business-to-business campaign
Although B2B campaigns can be entered in other categories, this one is intended to specifically recognise direct marketing to the business community. Entries should show any innovation in how the data was sourced, analysis and use of targeting techniques as well as efforts to ensure data quality,.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
D. Intelligent use of data in a consumer campaign
Entries can be from consumer categories including automotive, financial, FMCG, entertainment, media, telecommunications, computer, travel, leisure and retail, clearly demonstrating an understanding of the target market, any innovations in the sourcing of data, analysis and use of specific techniques such as modelling and segmentation.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
E. Intelligent use of data in a fundraising campaign
Entries need to demonstrate an understanding of the target market, any innovation in the sourcing of data, analysis, and use of specific techniques such as modelling and segmentation.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
F. Intelligent use of data in a public service campaign
This category covers government departments, local authorities and public sector agencies, as well as public utilities. Entries should show an understanding of the target market, sourcing of data, analysis, and use of specific techniques such as modelling and segmentation.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
OVERALL CATEGORIES
G. Best new data software or technology
Judges will look for the best new database marketing software product or technological solution, taking into account innovation, functionality and overall impact on the marketplace. Entries should provide detail on the use of the software or technology and results of its use.
Supporting material: You should include a URL for a website demonstrating your software or technology. You can also include screen shots and case studies. Send these to David Felice, Haymarket Events, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP
Who should enter: software companies, providers of data and related services, in-house database marketing departments, consultants
H. Best work by a list manager/owner
Judges will look for effective management of data assets, either by a list owner or manager acting on behalf of a client. Entries should demonstrate the successful marketing of lists and good sales results.
Who should enter: data owners and list managers
I. Best work by a list broker
Judges will look for best work by a list broker for a client on a campaign, involving the accurate selection of lists, minimum wastage of names, high response rates, reduced cost-per-response and a creative approach.
Who should enter: list brokers
J. Best strategic partnership
This category calls for the best work for or with a client on a direct marketing campaign or project, emphasising strategic approach, innovation, and overall effectiveness. The judges will consider consultancy, analytics and specific database marketing projects. Entries should demonstrate a firm understanding of the client's business issues, clear solutions and a proven return on financial investment.
Who should enter: agencies, providers of data and related services, consultants
K. Data supplier of the year
Judges will look for most effective and innovative supplier of data and related products and services, demonstrating an ability to support successful and groundbreaking projects as well as making an overall impact on the marketplace. Entrants to this category must have entered at least one other data category.
Entries must include:
1. Success factors (Max word count: 700 words)
• evidence of responsible and effective use of data
• evidence of financial success, such as increased turnover and/or profits, new business wins, and other major deals (such as acquisitions or divestments)
• examples of innovations such as new products and techniques
2. Proof of success (Max word count: 1600 words)
• three separate case studies/projects (these can come from categories already entered. Max word count: 500 words each per case study)
• two client testimonials (around 50 words each)
Who should enter: providers of data and related services
II) Contact centre categories
L. Best inbound campaign (customer retention/acquisition/cross-sell)
Good customer experience, high first call resolution, responsible use of contact centre technology and value-for-money service delivery. Extra credit will be given for service that has gone beyond the client brief and for effective multi-media contact handling including SMS and email.
Who should enter: Outsourced and in-house contact centres
M. Best call centre campaign in public sector, inbound or outbound (health, government)
Customer/user satisfaction, high first call resolution, efficient call handling, well-trained agents, efficient use of call centre technology and delivery of value for money. Extra credit given for multi-media contact handling including SMS and email.
Who should enter: Outsourced and in-house contact centres active in the local and central government sector
N. Best call centre campaign in the private sector, inbound or outbound (financial services, retailers, utilities, charities etc.)
High first-call resolution, good contact rates per hour, well-trained agents, efficient use of client data and call centre technology; low cost per acquisition/retention and evidence of good retention/cross-sell/acquisition results. Extra credit given for well-integrated multi-media contact handling including SMS and email.
Who should enter: Outsourced and in-house contact centre providers
O. Contact centre of the year
Judges will look for the most effective and innovative contact centre, demonstrating excellent service delivery, technological sophistication, a commitment to training and low staff attrition. Entrants to this category must have entered at least one other contact centre category.
Entries must include:
1. Success factors (Max word count: 700 words)
• Evidence of strong people development and training programmes and low staff attrition
• Evidence of the responsible and effective use of contact centre technology
• Examples of any innovations you have made to your contact centre operations in the past year, such as investment in new technology, industry accreditation and client service management
• Evidence of financial success, such as an increase in profits and/or turnover, new business wins and acquisitions
2. Proof of success (Max word count: 1600 words)
• Three separate case studies (these can be entries you have already entered into any of the contact centre categories above. Max word count: 500 words each per case study)
• Two client testimonials (around 50 words each)
Who should enter: Outsourced and in-house contact centres
III) Print and production categories
P. Best direct mail pack (web, litho, laser)
imaginative and innovative direct mail pieces that demonstrate excellent finishing and the meeting of creative, technical production and budgetary challenges.
Supporting material: You should send 5 copies of your direct mail pack to Liz Lockard, Haymarket Events, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP
Who should enter: printers, agencies, clients
Q. Best digitally-printed direct mail pack
Digitally printed mail packs that demonstrate precision in finishing, a high degree of personalization, creative use of data and good response rates.
Supporting material: You should send 5 copies of your direct mail pack to Liz Lockard, Haymarket Events, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP
Who should enter: Printers, agencies, clients
R. Best work by a mailing and fulfilment house
Work that demonstrates a supplier's flexible service, problem solving, adherence to deadlines and innovative use of technology. Extra credit given for case studies that demonstrate initiative beyond the client brief.
Who should enter: Fulfilment houses, mailing houses, full service suppliers, clients
S. Direct mail printer of the year
Judges will seek a direct mail printer that can demonstrate excellent customer service, the innovative use of direct mail printing and finishing techniques and solid business growth. Entrants to this category must have entered at least one other direct mail print category.
Entries must include:
1. Success factors (Max word count: 700 words)
• Evidence of people development and training programmes
• Evidence of financial success, such as an increase in profits and/or turnover, acquisitions and new business wins
• Evidence of any innovations you have made to your print operations in the past year such as investment in new technology, industry accreditation and client service management.
2. Proof of success (Max word count: 1600 words)
• Three separate case studies (these can be entries you have already entered into any of the contact centre categories above. Max word count: 500 words each per case study)
• Two client testimonials (around 50 words each)
IV) E-marketing categories
T. Best use of email in a CRM campaign
Innovative use of email designed to build long-term relationships with customers, effective targeting, segmentation and relevance of communications, high open and click-through rates and results (brand sales and/or awareness). Extra credit given for email campaigns that supported an overall CRM programme involving other media.
Who should enter: digital service providers, digital communications agencies, DM agencies
U. Best use of an emerging digital channel (mms, sms, viral) in a CRM campaign
Innovative use of non-email digital technologies in CRM designed to build long-term relationships with customers, effective data capture and targeting, segmentation, relevance of communications and results (brand sales, reach and/or awareness). Extra credit given for digital campaigns that supported an overall CRM programme involving other media.
Who should enter: digital service providers, digital communications agencies, DM agencies
V. Digital direct marketing services supplier of the year
Judges will look for the most effective digital direct marketing services supplier, demonstrating excellence in digital direct response communications, technological innovation and developments and business growth. Entrants to this category must have entered at least one other e-marketing category.
Entries must include:
1. Success factors (Max word count: 700 words)
• Evidence of any innovations you have made to your company in the past year such as investment in new technology, industry accreditation and client service management
• Evidence of people development and training programmes
• Evidence of financial success, such as an increase in profits and/or turnover, acquisitions and new business wins
2. Proof of success (Max word count: 1600 words)
• Three separate case studies that demonstrate best use of digital channels in building relationships with customers (these can be entries you have already entered into the digital categories above. Max word count: 500 words each per case study)
• Two client testimonials (around 50 words each)
Who should enter: digital communications agencies, DM agencies
W. DM business person of the year
(cannot be entered)
This is a special award given to someone who, in the eyes of the judges, contributed to the development of the DM supply side in the past year. Marketing Direct and Direct Response will invite nominees for this category in advance of judging day on 13 August.
X. Supply company of the year
(cannot be entered)
This category cannot be entered directly and will be awarded by the judges from the winners of the data, contact centre, e-marketing and print 'supplier of the year' categories
