The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best social media advertising campaigns in 86 industries as part of their 14th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. Companies or agencies wishing to nominate their work for consideration may do so at www.IACAward.org before the deadline of January 29, 2016.
“Marketers using social media, like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Linkedin, to engage consumers is exploding,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. Using either apps or pages can an effective advertising tool to build brand awareness and engage consumers using social media. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to show the world your expertise in this emerging field. It’s also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.
The 2016 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, etc.) involved in the process of developing Internet advertising. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.iacaward.org. The deadline for entry is January 30, 2015 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
Past Best of Show Winners in the Social Media category include:
| Year | Entry Name | Award Level | Winner |
| 2015 | Which Career Character Are You? AT&T Quiz | Best Employment Social Media Campaign, Best Of Show Social Media Campaign | AT&T – Jennifer Terry-Tharp |
| 2014 | The Walking Dead Chop Shop | Best Automobile Social Media Campaign, Best Mobile Social Media Campaign, Best Of Show Social Media Campaign | INNOCEAN USA |
| 2013 | Revlon Expression Experiment | Best Consumer Goods Social Media Campaign, Best Of Show Social Media Campaign | VML |
| 2012 | The Source Code Mission | Best Movie Social Media Campaign, Best Of Show Social Media Campaign | The Visionaire Group |
| 2011 | Coca-Cola Happiness Machine | Best Beverage Social Media Campaign, Best Of Show Social Media Campaign | Definition 6 |
In addition to mobile applications, awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Online newsletter campaign
Mobile Apps
Email message campaign
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Online applications
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Integrated ad campaign
Rich media ads
Online Video
In an effort to recognize those organizations that demonstrate exceptional development skills across multiple entries, agencies that win more the 6 awards will also be recognized with an Outstanding Advertising Developer award from the Web Marketing Association. In 2015, nine agencies won this honor.
The 2016 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Small Army Creative Services, PR.com, VerticalResponse, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Clickz Live, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.
A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.
