Avusa wins Overall MOST Award

According to Sandra Gordon, publisher of Wag the Dog, research company Freshly Ground Insights (FGI) was contracted earlier this year to conduct an independent, representative research study amongst media placement decision makers in South Africa regarding the effectiveness of media owner ad sales teams.

FGI founder Brad Aigner explains that a comprehensive sample of 30% of the total advertising media industry universe was achieved, ensuring the high statistical validity of the research findings. The research methodology included 12 criteria and responses, weighted to ensure representation across the country and by industry sector. Media agents and clients completed over 185 web-based surveys and were asked to name individuals that epitomise greatness in sales and marketing.

Industry bodies endorsing the awards include the Advertising Media Forum (AMF) and the Advertising Media Association of South Africa (AMASA). The research was devised and conducted by FGI with input from industry doyen Gordon Muller of GSM-Quadrant.

Winners:

• Magazines - UpperCase Media (UCM)
  
• Newspapers - Avusa Media: Newspapers
  
• Out of home - INM Outdoor
  
• Online - 24.com
  
• Radio - Radmark
  
• Digital/Online - THE SPACESTATION (formerly 24.com Sales)
  
• Television and cinema - e.tv

Ken Varejes, CEO of Primedia Unlimited, received the Sales Legend Award, sponsored by The MediaShop.

UCM, the media brand owner of FHM, heat and UCM Digital was placed second overall for all media types, beating e.tv, Radmark, Oracle Airtime Sales and BDFM Publishers, amongst others.

“While we are proud of this external recognition for excellence in ad sales, it's important to note that this achievement is underpinned by excellent growth in actual net advertising sales income in a tough market,” emphasises UCM COO Kim Browne. “In our tenth year UCM is delivering its best ever operational financial results. We would like to use this opportunity to thank our growing list of advertising partners for their significant support.”

RadMark - winner in the Radio category - sales director, Wayne Bischoff, says: “It is a real feather in our cap to have been rated so highly by our agencies and clients. We have been congratulated by several clients for consistently delivering excellent service and media solutions."

Says Mike Luscombe, CEO of THE SPACESTATION, on winning the MOST Award in Digital: “Demand from South Africans for multiplatform digital marketing and advertising solutions is on the rise. This has given our team the opportunity to push traditional marketing boundaries and conceptualise and develop innovative, interactive campaigns for local business and international brands.

"While traditional advertising sales are experiencing a downturn, in part due to a softening economy, digital is growing counter to this trend (albeit from a small base). Clients are increasingly looking for new, engaging channels via which to reach their markets and effectively communicate their brand message.

“Working within a new and dynamic industry is a great challenge as it requires that we first market and create buy-into the online medium before we can actually start 'selling' our own products and services. While this is exciting, it demands a great deal of commitment and belief in the offering, and it can be frustrating at times. Being recognised and rewarded for our contribution to the industry is, therefore, of significant value to our team,” says Luscombe.

2010 awards

Sandra Gordon announced that the 2010 awards will be expanded to include research which will highlight the best media agents in South Africa. She also announced the John Farquhar awards for excellence in broadcast media.