DMA International ECHO 2007 Competition
New York, NY March 14, 2007 – The DMA International ECHO Awards (www.dma-echo.org) is seeking entries for the 2007 competition. Demonstrating its commitment to interactive technologies the Search Marketing Award has been added to the special awards lineup which will honor the most innovative online search strategies and techniques designed to drive Web traffic, including search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
DMAs ECHO Award is the only international award that honors excellence in direct marketing creativity, marketing strategy, and response results and now recognizes every type of media used in multichannel direct marketing campaigns.
The 2007 competition has been expanded to include 5 new advertising media:
·E-Mail and Instant Messaging: E-mail, instant text messaging on PCS
·Mobile: Mobile messaging. Permission based marketing message delivered through a mobile phone, PDA or other mobile device.
·Search Engine Marketing: Search engine optimization (SEO) and paid pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
·Web Advertising: Web ads and online advertising other than search (search is a separate category).
·Web Development: Websites, blogs and web development. This is content that is not paid web advertising.
Other new features being rolled out this year include:
·Entry window of eligibility expanded to 18 months (more chances to win!)
·No CDs to burn or videos to make
·Entry form is conveniently saved online.
·Online credit card payment option.
·Entrants submitting five or more entries receive free CD of 2006 ECHO Award Winners.
The 2007 Call for Entries campaign, produced pro bono by DMA member G2 digital & direct, New York, NY demonstrates the visionary strategy, compelling creative, and breakthrough results that make the ECHO the most prestigious symbol of excellence in the direct marketing community.
DMA’s ECHO CFE Web site, for which the pro bono development and management was provided by Bennett Kuhn Varner, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, provides complete information on entering the 2007 Awards Competition – including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section that provides information on useful topics.
Deadline for entries is April 24,2007. To download an entry form visit: http://www.dma-echo.org/2006/info-entry.jsp .
2007 ECHO Awards Ceremony and Gala
The 2007 ECHO Awards Ceremony and Gala will take place on Tuesday, October 16, during the DMA07 Conference & Exhibtion inChicago, IL, which will be held October -13-18. Hosting the ceremony this year is Deal or No Deal Howie Mandel.
About Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting
multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates industry standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching
consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process. Founded in 1917, DMA today represents more than 3,600 companies from dozens of vertical industries in the US and 50 other nations, including a majority of the Fortune 100 companies, as well as nonprofit organizations.
In 2006, marketers – commercial and nonprofit – will spend an estimated $166.5 billion on direct marketing in the United States. Measured against total US
sales, these advertising expenditures will generate an estimated $1.93 trillion in incremental sales. This year, direct marketing will account for 10.3 percent of total US GDP. Also, there are today 1.7 million direct marketing employees in the US alone. Their collective sales efforts directly support 8.8 million other jobs. That accounts for 10.5 million US jobs.
The Power of Direct: Relevance. Responsibility. Results.