Peter Sandstrom: Last call for Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards 2013

AS the media world continues to highlight the economic woes of UK commerce with sensational headlines around job losses and High Street failures becoming commonplace, it is failing to bring some of the more inspirational business stories to life – it is not celebrating the people and companies that continue to find ways and means (more often than not on greatly reduced budgets) to be more creative within their industries.

As a marketing profession, we should continually challenge ourselves to change these stories by celebrating and sharing our relentless passion for creativity and to demonstrate the powerful end result that focus and thinking differently brings. Ultimately, it’s all about “ideas” and ensuring businesses continue to invest in their people to become “ideas” generators and to put such people within the heart of their organisation.

It is these enquiring minds and creative talents that the Marketing Society Scotland will celebrate in this year’s Star Awards. It’s their time to Shine and for us all to recognise the talent and expertise that lies behind these “ideas”. Whilst the modern world is littered with award ceremonies, there are surprisingly few that truly celebrate the art of Marketing, and even fewer that do this by being judged and recognised by your peer group.

The Star Awards also play a critical role in building the reputation of Marketing in Scotland. It demonstrates the role Marketing can play in building business success and strives to get Marketing the focus it deserves in the boardroom by ensuring that business leaders continue to recognise and invest in the power of Marketing excellence.

Every year we continue to be astounded by the creativity and powerful ideas coming out of Scotland and how it has delivered tangible business results. This year is no different and we are encouraging all companies to participate, with a ‘first time free’ entry incentive.

It’s your time to Shine and we are all looking forward to reading these inspiring stories and headlines…..

Enter Marketing Society Scotland 2013 Star Awards

THE Marketing Society Scotland is giving the nation’s marketing talent an opportunity to shine this year with the launch of the 2013 Star Awards.

• The final deadline for entries is 5pm on 22 February 2013

The country’s world class brands and marketers of all sizes - big or small - are being asked submit campaigns and initiatives that demonstrate true star quality and help showcase the best Scottish marketing to the world. Previous winners include The Leith Agency, The Union, Story, The Scottish Government, University of Edinburgh, Standard Life and VisitScotland.

This year, the first award entry is free of charge for organisations that have never entered the Star Awards before. In addition, there is no cost for the students and individuals or organisation nominations in the Development or Champions categories.

2013 also sees the introduction of a new Green award category under the Strategic category which is supported by the Scottish Government.

Now in its ninth year, Marketing Society Scotland has continued to grow and expand its award categories to reflect the growing strength of the marketing industry in Scotland.

Renowned as one of the most prestigious awards in the industry, the 2013 Star Awards are sponsored by Cello and aim to celebrate the most dynamic marketing campaigns in Scotland. There are five core categories and 30 individual awards to recognise talent at student and professional levels. The judging panels will agree a final shortlist of entries and present one Gold, Silver and Bronze Star per award.

The awards are open to both members and non-members of The Marketing Society.

This year, the Star Awards will be held at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on 6 June 2013. The last four years’ events were a sell-out, attracting over 450 marketers from across Scotland. Those who register or book a table by 31 January will also receive one free place at the Awards Dinner.

Commenting on the 2013 awards, Peter Sandstrom, Chair of the Marketing Society Star Awards said: “This year we’re giving Scotland’s marketing community even more reason to shine with new categories and more incentives. We want to see entries from marketing teams of all sizes across Scotland that really show just how vibrant and creative the Scottish marketing sector is.

“Our Awards promote excellence and contribute to the vision of building and sustaining a world class marketing community in Scotland, and we want to attract entries for the stars that are shining examples of excellence. Invigorating the award categories for 2013 will help ensure that excellence continues to be rewarded at every level, sector and discipline in marketing across Scotland.”

The full list of all awards is as follows:

Strategic Stars

Brand Development

Marketing Planning

Social Marketing

Green Marketing

International

Integrated Marketing

Development Stars

Star School

Star Marketing Student

Star Creative Student

Rising Agency Star

Rising Creative Star

Rising Marketing Star

Communication Stars

Advertising

Design

Digital

Direct Marketing

Event Marketing & Brand Activation

Media

PR

Sponsorship

Sector Stars

Cause Related & Charity

Financial & Professional Services

Food & Drink

Public Sector

Tourism, Leisure & Sport

Arts & Culture

Champion Stars

Chairman’s Award for First Time Entrants

Chairman’s Award for a Small to Medium Sized Company

Pioneering Spirit Star Award

Star Agency of the Year

Star Marketing Team of the Year

Creative Star of the Years

Agency Star of the Year

Marketing Star of the Year

How to enter

Full details of all the 30 Star Award categories and how to enter can be found at www.marketingsocietyscotland.com/stars13

The final deadline for entries is 5pm on 22 February 2013