It's that time: the 2013 MFA Awards are upon us, the theme is 'enterprise', and it is expanding beyond agencies with new categories shining the spotlight on marketing teams and media owners.
At a breakfast event this morning, chairman of the MFA Awards, Bohemia Group's Brett Dawson, took to the stage to reveal the theme for this year's event and announce the two new awards.
Download the entry kit here.
The Marketing Team of the Year and Media Owner of the Year gongs both put the spotlight on professionals outside of agencies. Dawson was quick to point out that the two new awards were not a popularity contest – rather they were there to highlight consistently great work from marketers and media owners as well as a culture within the two that promoted outstanding outcomes.
On the new theme for the awards, Dawson said: "The theme captures the journey the industry is in right now. It illustrates a growing complexity in the communications landscape and awards those that simplify the issues. It's about work that shows resourcefulness and dares to enter new frontiers. It suggests the coming together of many in the pursuit of superior client outcomes."
The new awards were well received. Telstra corporate marketing director and chair of the AANA Inese Kingsmill said: "It's better together and wonderful to see new recognition of marketers and media owners in the awards. We aim to be accountable, agile and bold and obviously commercially astute as well."
Kurt Burnette, director of sales for the Seven Network, also took to the stage to emphasise the importance of the awards. He highlighted the tough market conditions but also said it was time to accept the environment for what it was and make the best of it, lauding the awards as a big part of that.
"It's getting boring talking about the tough market," he said. "The market is challenging and cost-cutting is normal. That's why public recognition of the work the industry does is so important and why SMG Red and Seven will continue to support the awards for a number of years to come. This is what I say in meetings when we talk about costs at Seven."
Any media campaign launched in Australia between 1 January 2012 and 31 March 2013 is eligible to enter the awards. Any awards that were eligible for last year's awards and are again eligible for this year's must have their submissions re-written. Entry deadlines (depending on the category) are from 3 July to 17 July. Winners will be announced at a dinner event in Sydney on 24 October.
For more information, head to MediaFederation.org.au.
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