Assegai Awards 2009 open for entries

Organisers are hoping to attract 200 entries across the seven sections and 29 categories this year, ranging from mass media through to multiple media, activations, social media, integrated marketing, e-commerce, telephone marketing, and database to CRM. The most sought-after award is the Inkosi Assegai, given to the best overall direct campaign across all categories.

“The creative and theme for this year's event, Make it Work was developed by Greymatter, winner of the ‘Organisation of the Year' 2008 award,” says Brian Mdluli, CEO of the DMA. “This highlights direct marketing's role in delivering campaigns that realise real, triple bottom line results. The recession has brought about an intensive and exciting increased focus on direct marketing as a scientifically measurable marketing practice. Above-the-line budgets are increasingly being diverted into below-the- line activities such as direct and activations.”

Michelle Perrow, DMA Board portfolio director says: “We have an expanded international judging panel with no less than six judges from countries in the US and Europe to provide real global benchmarking for local entrants. The young direct marketer category is also growing in stature and a number of very exciting entry options are available to students and young direct marketers this year, including the opportunity for the winner of the Young Direct Marketer of the Year award to be considered for a one-month learnership in Europe.”

For the third year, the South African Post Office (SAPO) is the presenting sponsor of the awards, as it plays a significant role as one of the DMA's founder members and is a critical role player in South Africa's direct industry. Standard Bank has also reaffirmed its commitment to developing young direct marketing talent in South Africa by sponsoring the Young Direct Marketer category for the third year. Submit entries via www.assegaiawards.co.za or contact +27 (0) 894 2767 or e-mail for more information.