a4uAwards – Categories

The 2010 Awards

This year we are evolving the awards categories to firmly align them with the advancement of our industry and to directly respond to feedback.

Along with the introduction of new categories we have narrowed the spectrum of some of the awards to make them more granular.

Judged Awards

Innovation Award (Publisher)

Open to Publishers who have successfully implemented new technology, complimentary channels or out of the box innovative thinking to establish value add for their users and advertisers along with increased revenue opportunity for their business.

For clarity, the definition of a Publisher is a website or application that integrates performance-based advertising links with the ultimate goal of attracting commission from an Advertiser.

3rd Party Applications or Sub Affiliate models are excluded from this award.

Enter this award

Innovation Award (Advertiser)

Open to Advertisers that have developed something innovative within their Affiliate Marketing activity.

Whether this innovation is technology-based, utilised associated channels such as Mobile and Social Media or simply approaching things differently, its introduction has ultimately improved revenue opportunities, communication, relationships or visibility.

We're looking for an Advertiser that has truly excelled and opened up new opportunities in the channel.

Enter this award

Innovation Award (Network)

The judges will be looking for a single Network innovation that has ultimately enabled either Advertisers or Publishers to increase their revenue within the channel. In terms of innovation this can be via the introduction of new technology, out-of-the-box, lateral thinking or a creative solution that enhances or improves the way we do business together.

Enter this award

Best 3rd Party Affiliate Application

New for 2010. If you've embraced new technology to offer a value-add web based service, mobile application or online widget that enables either Advertisers or Publishers to ultimately earn more revenue for the channel, change the way they do business or increase productivity, then this award is for you. This category is not open to Network applications: they should be entered into the Innovation Award: Network category.

Enter this award

Best Advertiser Incentive

New for 2010. Judges will be looking for well-crafted incentives aimed specifically at driving increased revenues through the Affiliate channel. Advertisers or their agencies should be able to demonstrate tangible results from different sub-sections of the Affiliate channel. Alongside this, judges will be looking for competent structure, communication and internal channel strategy.

Enter this award

Best New Entrant in Affiliate Marketing

An award aimed at anyone who has entered (or re-entered) the Affiliate Marketing sector within the last 12 months. Open to both individuals and companies who have hit the ground running and made an immediate impact within the sector.

Enter this award

Best Agency in Affiliate Marketing

Incorporates best Affiliate Management Agency. Judges will be looking for pro-active Agencies who offer competent programme management. To include such aspects as communication, transparency, promotion and incentive strategy, internal channel management and not forgetting, meeting client objectives.

Enter this award

Best use of Affiliate Marketing as part of a Wider Marketing Campaign

Affiliate Marketing should be carefully integrated within the Digital and Offline Marketing mix. Judges will be looking for competent integration of Affiliate Marketing by an Agency or Advertiser, enabling them to successfully manage Publisher expectations whilst adding incremental sales value.

Enter this award

Best Paid Search Partnership

New for 2010. We're looking for proficient and successful management of a performance-based Paid Search strategy between an Advertiser and a Publisher. Successful entrants will be able to demonstrate incremental sales and ROI alongside alignment to Advertiser brand values and goals.

Enter this award

Best Lead Generation Campaign

New in 2010. We're looking for a specific campaign that has firmly met clients' objectives by providing quality leads and sales through a smart, cost effective strategy. Successful entrants will be able to quantify the relative value of the leads to the client or organisation.

Enter this award

Vertical Awards

There are separate awards for Advertisers and Publishers. They are judged independently and require separate entries.

As an Advertiser, judges will be looking for evidence of how well they have integrated their Affiliate Marketing activity into their Digital Marketing strategy. In addition, the judges will want to see evidence of transparency, relationship management, communication strategy, innovative thinking and aligning Publisher expectations with internal brand goals.

For Publisher awards, the judges will be looking for evidence of success in engaging Advertiser relationships, aligning revenue opportunity with Advertiser goals alongside transparency, value-add, innovativeness and vertical performance.

Community Choice Awards

Community Choice Awards are judged by the Affiliate Marketing community through the channel's hub affiliates4u.com via a two-stage open nomination then voting process.