2018 BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards

Category A: Digital Marketing
Targeted, measurable and interactive marketing using digital technologies. Post link(s) along with any required login/passwords to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• A1: Microsite - Web pages that function as auxiliary supplements to a host site
• A2: Website (budget under $25,000) - A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
• A3: Website (budget $25,001 to $50,000) - A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
• A4: Website (budget over $50,000) - A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
• A5: Mobile/smartphone app - Application that performs a specific function on a handheld device
• A6: Email Campaign - More than one email directed to a specific audience (must include 3 or more pieces from campaign)
• A7: Augmented/Virtual Reality (single or series) 

Category B: Video
Recorded continuous motion. Please edit length to the best of most representative five-minute segment. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged. 

• B1: Video, corporate overview
• B2: Video, promotional (new services, product, etc.)
• B3: Video, short form/commercial spot
• B4: Animation (2D or 3D) or motion graphics - Recorded series of still images compiled to create the illusion of motion

Category C: Social
Usage of social media channels such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, or other social media networks, blogs, forums, or word of mouth. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to the link fields on the entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• C1: Integrated social media campaign (3 or more social media channels) - Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 3 or more social media channels
• C2: Integrated social media campaign (2 or fewer social media channels) - Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 2 or fewer social media channels
• C3: Blog - Blog published by or on behalf of an organization on a routine basis, or a report specifically addressing an issue

Category D: Print
Advertising using newspapers, magazines, newsletters, booklets, flyers, direct mail or anything else that would be considered a portable printed medium. Budget should include all production and implementation aspects, such as creative and placement costs, etc.

• D1: Full page or spread advertising (single)
• D2: Full page or spread advertising (campaign) - must include at least 3 pieces
• D3: Original Photography
• D4: Original illustration - Hand-drawn or computer-generated art

Category E: Events
Include photos, floor plans, and any other related materials.

• E1: Small tradeshow exhibit (500 sq ft or less) - This can include a backwall, tabletop exhibit, kiosk, etc.
• E2: Large tradeshow exhibit (over 500 sq ft) - This can include a peninsula, island, etc.
• E3: Tradeshow campaign - Total campaign communication and exhibit details
• E4: Fixed installation - Displayed in a building lobby, etc.
• E5: Themed special event (internal or external) - Event organized for a specific audience, such as employees or customers

Category F: Sales Enablement Tools
Brochures, catalogs, datasheets or packages that enable sales.

• F1: Product/Capabilities brochure or catalog 
• F2: Sales package or media kit - Package of information about a company
• F3: Promotional item

Category G: Direct Mail
Advertising sent by mail.

• G1: Flat direct mail piece (single or campaign) - Must include at least 3 pieces if campaign
• G2: Dimensional direct mailer (single or campaign) – Must include at least 3 pieces if campaign

Category H: Corporate
The brand or identity incorporating both the relationship between a customer and a business as well as the look and feel of the business.

• H1: Branding or rebranding campaign - National or global program to establish or refocus a company or product brand image (must include at least 3 pieces)
• H2: Annual report

Category I: Internal Communications
The intent to create a cultural shift within an organization, where the employees become more customer-focused and more business focused.

• I1: Internal newsletter or magazine (print or electronic) - Regular publication delivered to employees (must submit 2-3 pieces)
• I2: Internal communications strategy - Strategy to communicate to employees within an organization
• I3: Employee Intranet/Apps

Category J: Public Relations
Coordinated B2B public relations effort that supports products, a division, or company. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: media relations campaign results, press releases, press conferences or media tours, analyst relations results/briefings, media kits, new product introductions/announcements, community relations efforts, investor relations communications, and video segments of broadcast coverage. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• J1: Public relations campaign - Must submit 3 or more items from the list above

Category K: Non-profit campaign
Services performed or produced for a non-profit organization communicating to a business audience. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: complete advertising campaign, individual advertisements, literature/printed materials, identity materials (logos/letterhead), direct mail, radio, TV, web, video, and public relations strategy. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run,
or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• K1: Non-profit campaign - Must submit 3 or more items from the list above

Category L: Integrated Marketing Communications Program
Programs that support products, a group of products, a division, or company using an integrated strategy. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: magazine, outdoor, newspaper, radio, TV, and digital advertising; sales literature; direct marketing; public relations; trade show; video production; interactive media; and sales promotion/merchandising materials. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• L1 Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $50,000 or less)
• L2 Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $100,000 to $200,000)
• L3 Integrated marketing communications program (Budget over $200,000)

Category M: Market Research & Metrics
Researching the elements of the marketing mix, competitors, markets, etc., dealing with customers. 

• M1: Qualitative and/or quantitative research project - Include data such as words, pictures, objects, or numbers
• M2: SEO Campaigns - include data such as words, pictures, objects, graphs, or numbers
• M3: Data/Analytics Programs - include data such as words, pictures, objects, graphs, or numbers

Category N: Agency Promotion
Agency promotion of its capabilities to a business audience. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s)field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

• N1: Total campaign - A comprehensive campaign using a combination of marketing tactics
• N2: Website - Set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
• N3: Video - Recorded continuous motion

Anyone involved in business-to-business marketing communications in southeastern Wisconsin may enter the 2018 BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards. You do not need to be a member of BMA to enter!

Entries must have been produced or appeared for the first time in calendar year 2017. Information for each entry must be submitted by midnight on February 28, 2018. All entries must be submitted online. You may enter a piece in more than one category, although entry fees must be paid for each category entered in order for your entry to be judged. No late submissions will be accepted.

Preparing Your Entries
Content included in your entry must conform to the following specifications:

Judging Criteria – limited to 500 characters per description:
(each summary accounts for 25% of the total possible score)

• Creativity
• Production
• Selling proposition/objectives (including target audience & execution strategy)
• Results

PDF Files:

• Single or Multi-page PDF file can be included with each submission
• Maximum files size is 10MB each, for larger files contact Jocelyn Fischer at jocelynfischer3@gmail.com 
• Recommended resolution is 300dpi for printed displays

Web Links:

• Unlimited number of web links can be included with your submission

Videos:

• Our system does not support streaming videos. As such, we request that you post your video on your web server or use a video streaming platform, such as Youtube or Vimeo, and link to it within the portal

Other Digital Media:

• Please send an email to Jocelyn Fischer at jocelynfischer3@gmail.com to discuss submission options

*NOTE: The BMA Awards Committee may change the division in which an entry is judged if they determine the entry has been submitted in an incorrect division.

2017 BMA Milwaukee Bell Award Fees
All entries must be completed and online payment made by February 28, 2018. All fees must be paid at time of entry and each submission requires a fee.

• BMA Members:
  • Early Bird Entries - $75 per entry (February 15, 2018 - February 22, 2018)
  • Regular Entries - $90 per entry (February 23, 2018 - March 8, 2018)
  • Extended Entries - $125 per entry (March 9, 2018 – March 15, 2018)
• Non-BMA Members:
  • Early Bird Entries - $100 per entry (February 15, 2018 - February 22, 2018)
  • Regular Entries - $115 per entry (February 23, 2018 - March 8, 2018)
  • Extended Entries - $150 per entry (March 9, 2018 – March 15, 2018)

Judging
The BMA Awards Committee will appoint a panel of marketers from corporations and  agencies all over the country as impartial judges. Judging will be based on how well each entry accomplished its stated objectives and will include an assessment of communications strategy and creative/production values. Judges may eliminate any entry that does not conform to the BMA Code of Ethics or the rules of the competition. Incomplete submissions will automatically be disqualified. Judges’ decisions will be final.

Awards
The judges dedicate their time and talents to participate in a rigorous process of judging the contest entries and selecting award recipients. Each entry is independently reviewed by each judge and scored in four divisions:

• Creativity
• Production
• Selling proposition/objectives (including target audience and execution strategy)
• Results

Each judge can award up to 25 points in each category for a possible total of 100 [points. Once the scores of all the judges are averaged for a total cumulative score, the judges reconvene to determine the award winners. To qualify for a Bell Award, an entry must receive the top score in the category for which it was entered. In the event of a tie, judges will review the entries a second time to determine the Bell Award. To qualify for an Excellence Award, an entry must receive the second or third highest score in the category for which it was entered; two Excellence Awards will be presented in each category.

The Best of Show Award will be conferred upon the entry considered by the judges to be the most outstanding example of marketing excellence.

All winning entries will be revealed in April at the 2018 BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards Event. One award will be presented for each winning entry. Additional copies of awards may be purchased after the awards presentation. 

Rights of Reproduction
BMA Milwaukee reserves the right to reproduce any entry and to quote from the accompanying statement of objectives.