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Best Online Video Advertising Campaigns to Be Named by Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association judges will select the best online video advertising in 86 industries as part of their 12th 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.orgbefore the deadline of January 31, 2014.

“Online video has exploded in popularity over the past few years as a form of advertising and it looks like this trend is likely to continue,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association.  “Videos can be standalone viral projects, serials, or page-based creative. Each online video ad will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium. The IAC Awards provides an opportunity to find out who is doing an outstanding job creating online video. Winning awards is also a great marketing opportunity for the winners to promote their work to senior management, customers and prospects”.

 “We believe that winning an industry specific award is more valuable to the participant.  It allows the participants to be judges against their peers, just like in the marketplace,” said Rice.
bswing won Best of Show Online Video in the 2013 Internet Advertising Competition Awards for Twig the Fairy, which also won Best Entertainment Online Video.

The 2014 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 31, 2014 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

In addition to online video advertising, Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats such as:
Online ads (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Rich media ads
Social Media
Web sites (including microsites and landing pages)
Email message campaign
Online newsletter campaign
Online applications
Mobile apps
Integrated ad campaign

Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received.

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 2012, ten agencies won this honor.

Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2014, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2014. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising.

The 2014 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.

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Best Mobile Web Sites and Best Mobile Apps of 2013 Named by Web Marketing Association


The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners its second annual international MobileWebAward competition.  This award program recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain the best mobile Websites and the best mobile applications.  The complete list of winners can be found at www.mobile-webaward.org.

The MobileWebAwards were judged on seven criteria seen as requirements for a success mobile website or mobile app. They include Creativity, Impact, Design, Content, Interactivity, Ease of use and Use of the medium. Each mobile website or mobile appentry is judged against other entries of the same format in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence. 

This year’s top awards include:
UBM Design Centraland ARM won Best of Show Mobile Application for Signum, which also was awarded Best Electronics Mobile Application. Signum is a great example of how electronic publication is changing the reading experience. The quarterly e-mag uses hyperlinks, animation, and embedded video to create a highly interactive experience for the reader.
Huge and Newsweek won Best of Show Mobile Website for The Redesigned Newsweek.com, which also was recognized as Best News Mobile Website. Newsweek tasked Huge with developing a digital experience that leveraged the best elements of its digital-savvy sister publication, The Daily Beast, while preserving a distinct look-and-feel that would stay true to the Newsweek brand.
Aperto Move GmbHof Berlin, Germany was named Top Interactive Agency for the second MobileWebAwards competition in a row. They received 9 awards, including: Best Investor Relations Mobile Application, Best Catalog Mobile Website, Best Directory or Search Engine Mobile Application, Best Environmental Mobile Application, Best Toy & Hobby Mobile Application, Best Events Mobile Website, Best Game Site Mobile Application, Best Government Mobile and Best TV Mobile Website.
Risdall Marketing Group was named an Outstanding Mobile Interactive Developer for receiving 8 MobileWebAwards in this year’s program.

“Since 1997, the WebAwards have helped define the standards for website development, now the MobileWebAwards will do the same for sites and apps designed for mobile devices,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association.  “Smartphones and tablet computers are exploding and companies are racing to be allow users to connect and interact with them using mobile devices.   The goal of the MobileWebAwards is to both recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective mobile Web sites and mobile apps on the Internet.”

The Best of Industry statue is reminiscent of a personal digital device, it could be yesterday’s smart phone, today’s tablet, or tomorrow’s device.  It is crafted of fine jet black crystal with the iconic “W” accent in 24kt plated gold and personalized with your award information.  The award is entirely hand crafted by, Society Awards, the makers and designers of other notable award programs such as the Golden Globes, Emmys, MTV VMAs, and CLIOs to name a few, and presented in its own custom gift box.
The 2013 MobileWebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, Burst Media, EContent Magazine, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, SES Conferences, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.
About the WebAwards
The Web Marketing Association’s second annual MobileWebAwards are based upon the success of its long running international WebAward Competition for Website Development and the Internet Advertising Competition. All Web Marketing Association award programs recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective online marketing programs on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from assessment of their marketing efforts by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented by being recognized as an award-winning entry.
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The Best Online Advertising of To Be Named By Web Marketing Association


The Web Marketing Association announces the Call for Entries for the 12th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. This international award program will evaluate all forms of online advertising, including email, page-based ads, online newsletters, mobile apps, Websites, video and social media in 86 industry categories. The Competition Web site is located at www.iacaward.org and the deadline for entry is January 31, 2014.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical for online marketers to be able to justify advertising expertise come budget time,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association.  “The IAC Awards can provide third party confirmation that clients are getting the best creative for their ad dollars.  Winning awards is a great way to demonstrate your creative potential.  We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best in this unique advertising medium by industry, and also to help advertising professionals validate their efforts to clients and senior management.”
The Internet Advertising Competition Awards are open to all organizations and individuals (advertising and interactive agencies, corporate marketing departments, small business owners, 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 31, 2014 and will be judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.
Awards will be presented within each of the industry categories and advertising formats including:
Best Social Media Campaign
Best Online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial)
Best Rich media online ad
Best Email message
Best Online newsletter
Best Website (including best landing pages and best microsites)
Best Online video
Best Mobile applications
Best Integrated ad campaign
Best of show award for each format will be selected from among the industry winners. Ads eligible for entry in the competition must have run during the period from January 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014. 
Interactive agencies that win multiple awards will also be in the running for Top Agency Award. In a change from prior years, each entrant will be awarded points based on the level of award for each award received. A Best of Show will be worth 5 points, Best of Industry 3 points and each Outstanding award 1 point. The agency with the most points will be awarded the Top Agency Award.
In the 11th annual IAC Awards, Biggs|Gilmore was recognized with the 2013 Top Agency Award, winning 24 IAC Awards. Their awards include 8 Best of Industry awards and 16 Outstanding awards.
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 2013, nine agencies won this honor.  
Judging for the IAC Awards will take place in February, 2014, and winners will be notified by e-mail in March, 2014. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web advertising. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Arc Worldwide, BGT Partners, Brunner Digital, Campbell-Ewald, CNN News Group, Deep Interactive Asia, Digitas, EuroRSCG 4D, Google, IBM Interactive, imc2, JWT, LeapFrog Interactive, Mass Transmit, McCann Worldgroup, Razorfish, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Tectis GmbH, TMP Worldwide, Universal McCann Interactive and Wunderman / Y&R.
The 2014 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, ExactTarget, EContent Magazine, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.
A complete list of past winners can be found at the IAC Award Website.
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Web Marketing Association to Sell WealthAdvisor.com Domain


WealthAdvisor.com is being auctioned off on Ebay and is available for a financial service company looking to strengthen its position in the highly competitive wealth management marketplace. To place a bid on this domain, go to www.eBay.com and search for WealthAdvisior.com during the auction period October 15th at Noon EDT to October 23 at Noon EDT. 
WealthAdvisor.com was first registered on December 3, 1997 and used as part of the Wealth Management News Service. It used this site to update reporter and online investors about wealth management issues and personal finance topics.
After the Wealth Management News Service closed down, the URL was maintained by William Rice, a founder of the WMNS and president of the Web Marketing Association. The URL has been sitting dormant for many years as the repository for past articles written by the WMNS. It was decided that it was time to allow WealthAdvisor.com to become an active site again.
“This is a great domain name that really should belong to a major financial services company”, says William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association.  “This domain lends itself to demonstrating a company’s commitment to wealth management, being part of a branding campaign and driving traffic to ta website through organic search results.”
“WealthAdvisor.com also would be a great opportunity for an entrepreneur to begin an entire business advising individuals about the creating and maintaining wealth. It also could be an effective website targeting high-end financial advisors,” added Rice. A premium domain name, like WealthAdvisor.com, offers outstanding SEO benefits, but more importantly, it becomes a brandable entity and can enhance marketing efforts to wealth investors and advisors.
The domain will be listed on Ebay in an auction beginning on October 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm EDT and ending on October 23, 2013 at 3:00 pm EDT. Ebay was chosen as a way to allow all interested parties to have a chance at purchasing this highly valuable domain. The domain will be placed in escrow at www.Escrow.com to facilitate transfer to the winning bidder. This will confirm domain ownership directly with the registrar before the Seller is paid.
For additional information, contact William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association, at wrice@webaward.org.
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Win a Free Pass to ad:tech New York

This month we are giving away a full conference pass to ad:tech New York. This industry leading conference will be help at the Javits Center November 7-8th. To enter, email your contact info (name, company, job title) to adtech@webaward.org

The cool thing about ad:tech’s educational program is the variety of formats offered to cater to everyone letting you pick the format that will help you learn the most. Keynotes are a special treat – hear from well-known people and brands who can share their secrets on what makes them the best at what they do. Also more than 250 exhibitors and 10,000+ attendees will fill the expo floor with products, tools and technologies covering all facets of digital marketing.

To learn more and register for ad:tech NY, go to  http://na.ad-tech.com/ny/

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Web Marketing Association Names Best Websites in 96 Industries


The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 17th annual WebAward Competition for Web site development. More than 1,500 entries from 40 countries were adjudicated in 96 industry categories during this year’s competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.
A complete list of the winning sites can be found at the WebAward Website at www.webaward.org.
“As the need of online consumers evolve, so does their expectation for a company’s website,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Companies and other organizations must engage audiences online and websites have evolved into a critical business tool. Each year the WebAwards receives amazing entries from around the world that show impressive creativity and functionality.   Winning a WebAward is a great way to demonstrate the effectiveness of your Web development efforts. We congratulate all of our winners for developing websites that deliver for their audiences. “
  
Top Agency
Risdall Marketing Groupwas named Top Agency at the 2013 WebAward Competition, taking home 37 WebAwards. This is the second time Risdall has won the Top Agency WebAward. The Top Agency Award is given to recognize the consistently outstanding development going on at interactive firms.  An independently owned, full-service advertising agency, Risdall Marketing Group is located in New Brighton, Minnesota, outside Minneapolis and  is one of the largest, longest-lived independent ad agencies in the United States. It was recognized in the 2013 WebAwards with Best Manufacturing Website, Best Portal Website, Best Science Website, 7 Outstanding Website WebAwards and 27 Standard of Excellence WebAwards.

Best of Show
The 2012 Best of Show WebAward is presented to BETC Paris for their exceptional work on Peugeot RCZ Test Driver.  The site was also recognized as Best Automobile Website. 
This engaging website is the second part of the launch of Peugeot’s new sports car RCZ.   One of the scientists wants to take the RCZ for a midnight test drive. He gets chased through the streets by security guards and it is up to the user to configure   the car so he can hide and escape. To get the full experience, connect with your smart phone and control the experience remotely. The driver will text you when he needs help and you can change the look of the car with your phone to help him get away.

Outstanding Website Developers

19 agencies or companies were also recognized as Outstanding Website Developer for winning six or more WebAwards in 2013. They include:
AGENCY (Number of Awards)
Biggs|Gilmore 24
TravelClick 24
BGT Partners 20
SapientNitro 15
Sabre Hospitality Solutions 15
TMP Worldwide 15
CareTech Solutions 11
Cuker Interactive 10
Webmonster.com 9
Nebo 9
Positioner SA 8
4SPOTS 7
Atlantic BT 7
Roundarch Isobar 7
TopSpot Internet Marketing 6
RED Interactive Agency 6
Miles 6
Red Clay Interactive 6
HeBS Digital 6
Competition format
The competition was judged by a team of independent Internet professionals representing a variety of relevant disciplines of Web site development. Judges included members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, creative directors, corporate marketing executives, content providers and webmasters.
The WebAward competition format allows Web sites to compete head to head with other sites within their industry to win the Best of Industry award.  Entries also compete against a standard of excellence to win Outstanding Website and Standard of Excellence WebAwards.  Each site is judged on seven different criteria and earns a score between 0 and 70 points.  The highest score in a given category wins Best of Industry for that category. If the remaining entries receive a score of 60 or greater, they receive the Outstanding Web site award. Entries that score higher than their industry average and below 59.9 receive the Standard of Excellence.   
The 2013 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: ExactTarget, Burst Media, PR Newswire, BGT Partners, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, EContent Magazine, Webmaster Radio and Website Magazine.

About the Web Marketing Association

The WebMarketing Association is working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of Website development and marketing on the Internet. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association’s annual WebAward, Internet Advertising Competition and MobileWebAwardaward programs  have been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 17th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.
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Web Marketing Association Looking for Mobile Development Professionals to Judge 2013 MobileWebAward


The Web Marketing Association’s MobileWebAwards competition is currently accepting entries and is looking for qualified judges to help adjudicate this year’s award program.  This award program recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain the best mobile Websites and the best mobile applications.   The Competition Web site is located at mobile-webaward.org and the deadline for entry is September 30, 2013.
To nominate yourself or someone within your organization, please complete the Judge’s Nomination Form. Mobile development professionals selected as judges will be contacted during the first week of October.
“Since 1997, the WebAwards have helped define the standards for website development, now the MobileWebAwards will do the same for sites and apps designed for mobile devices,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association.  “Smartphones and tablet computers are exploding and companies are racing to be allow users to connect and interact with them using mobile devices. We are looking for individuals who have direct experience developing for the expanding mobile platform. Our judges must have an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in mobile development, an eye for a well-designed interface and the objectivity to score entries according to a predefined set of criteria”.
Judging for the MobileWebAwards will take place in Mid-October, 2013, and winners will be notified by e-mail one week prior to the general announcement of winners in December, 2013. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet advertising professionals with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in mobile website design and mobile application development. Past competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Ogilvy Interactive, R/GA , Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG,  A&E Television Networks , New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Ernst & Young , J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and Aristotle.
Entries will be accepted in both the Mobile Website and the Mobile Application formats. 
Entries will be judged on seven criteria:
  • Creativity
  • Impact
  • Design
  • Content
  • Interactivity
  • Ease of Use
  • Use of the medium
Judging an award show like the MobileWebAwards is a great way to share your experience and expertise with the mobile development community. It is an honor and an important responsibility when you are chosen to participate as a judge. You are helping to set the standard for award winning advertising throughout the Web.
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MobileWebAwards to Name Best Mobile Web Sites and Best Mobile Apps


The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the call for entries for its 2013 international MobileWebAward competition.  It recognizes the individual and team achievements of Web professionals all over the world who create and maintain outstanding mobile Websites and mobile applications.  The deadline for entry in the 2013 MobileWebAwards is September 30, 2013.  The entry form for this award program can be found at www.mobile-webaward.org.
“Revenue from Global Mobile Advertising to is expected to grow 400 Percent through 2016,” said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association.  “Worldwide mobile advertising revenue is forecast to reach $11.4 billion in 2013, with mobile advertising revenue creating new opportunities for app developers, ad networks, mobile platform providers, specialty agencies and even communications service providers in certain regions. The goal of the MobileWebAwards is to both recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective mobile Web sites and mobile apps on the Internet.”
The MobileWebAwards were judged on seven criteria seen as requirements for a success mobile website or mobile app. They include Creativity, Impact, Design, Content, Interactivity, Ease of use and Use of the medium. Each mobile website or mobile appentry is judged against other entries of the same format in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence. 
This year’s top awards will include:
A “Best of Industry” MobileWebAward will be given in each of the 96 industry categories, including financial services, medical, small business, travel, advertising, transportation and government.  
The competition’s highest honor, the 2012 MobileWebAward “Best of Show,” will be given to the one best mobile website and one best mobile app that the judges believe represents the pinnacle of outstanding achievement in Web development.  
HeBS Digital won Best of Show Mobile Website for Loews Hotels Mobile Website, which also was recognized as Best Hotel and Lodging Mobile Website.  Indiana Interactive, LLC won Best of Show Mobile Application for DNR iPhone Application, which also was awarded Best Travel Mobile Application.
The Web Marketing Association will also recognize the interactive agency winning the most awards in the competition with the “Top Interactive Agency” WebAward. In 2012, Aperto Move GmbH of Berlin Germany was named Top Interactive Agency for the 2012 international MobileWebAwards. They received five awards in the competition.
Each organization that wins 5 or more MobileWebAwards will be awarded an Outstanding Mobile Interactive Developer trophy.
Interactive agencies who are recognized with a winning entry will also be included in the Database of Award Winning Interactive Agencies.
Judging for the 2013 MobileWebAwards will take place in October and winners are expected to be announced in late December.  Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing mobile Websites,–including members of the media, interactive creative directors, site designers, content providers and webmasters – with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site development and technology. Past WebAward  judges have included top executives from leading organizations such as A&E Television Networks, Agency.com, BGT Partners, Worldwide, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Comedy Central, Disney, Euro RSCG, Ion Global, J. Walter Thompson, John Deere Company, New York Post Interactive, Organic, Inc., Refinery, R/GA, Saatchi & Saatchi, SAP, Starwood Hotels, Sun Microsystems, Warner Bros. Online, Xerox and Website Magazine.
The 2013 MobileWebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, PR Newswire, Burst Media, MycroBurst, EContent Magazine, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, SES Conferences, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.