Sales promotion came first

Sales promotion has always been an integral part of the retail industry and for just over 30 years, the term ‘Sales Promotion’ has been used internationally to cover techniques which influence consumer behaviour, resulting in cash register rings and therefore sales.

The term ‘sales promotion’ has not really gone away but since the mid ‘90s the term was replaced with ‘promotion marketing’, a term which effectively reflected the multitude of tactics, techniques and services which are now used by promotion marketing practitioners worldwide.

And so onto the launch of the South African Promotion Marketing Awards (SAPMA): “I was fortunate last year to come across the Marketing Agencies Association Worldwide (MAA Worldwide) which in turn led me to their president, Mike Da Silva and the Globes Awards,” says Rachelle Bricout, owner of Create-A-Stir Marketing in Cape Town. The MAA champions the highest standards of excellence and recognition in the marketing communications industry via the highly successful Globes Awards. The programme, established in 2000, is the industry's leading international recognition programme for the world's most outstanding marketing campaigns. It is the only competition of its kind.

Who can enter?

Promotion marketing agencies, advertising agencies, integrated agencies, direct response agencies, public relations agencies, event companies, clients throughout Africa.

Entry deadlines

The SAPMA Awards were launched on 1 March 2007 and the deadline for entries is 30 April 2007. To be eligible, each campaign submitted must have been in the public domain from 28 February 2006 and 28 February 2007.

“Mike and I recognised an opportunity for South Africans to showcase their expertise internationally and it is with great excitement that we have now launched the SAPMA Leopard Awards’ says Bricout.

“Winning entries in the South African Awards will automatically qualify for the international Globes competition at no extra expense. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only gain recognition amongst your peers but also have the additional bonus of overseas exposure.”

The Leopard mark for the awards was chosen for its obvious attributes, explains Bricout -strong, powerful and dynamic.

Categories

There are 16 categories for entry and this includes an opportunity for clients to enter their marketing and advertising agencies as well. Additionally, there is a category for smaller agencies with budgets under R350 000 to also enter.

The categories are:

1. Best integrated communications campaign.
   
2. Best sponsorship campaign.
   
3. Best direct marketing campaign
   
4. Most innovative idea or concept.
   
5. Best digital communications campaign.
   
6. Best brand-building campaign.
   
7. Best business to business campaign.
   
8. Best retail or trade marketing campaign.
   
9. Best event marketing campaign.
   
10. Best tie-in campaign.
    
11. Most effective long-term marketing campaign.
    
12. Best dealer or sales-force activity.
    
13. Best brand awareness & trial activity.
    
14. Best activity generating brand volume.
    
15. Best cause or charity marketing campaign.
    
16. Best small budget campaign.
    

For further information, please go to www.sapmaawards.co.za, contact the SAPMA Awards office on +27 683 0499 or email . Download the entry brochure PDF here.