Assegai Awards committee makes final call for entries

The prestigious annual awards, held under the banner of the powerful Marketing Federation of Southern Africa (MFSA), takes place at Vodaworld on 3 September 2003.

In issuing a final call for entries, the Assegais Committee, headed by Nici Stathacopoulos, has expressed satisfaction with the brisk entry rate thus far.

"Would-be entrants are urged not to miss our 23 May cut-off date and are reminded to submit their entries on-line to www.assegai.co.za," emphasises Stathacopoulos, adding that black board mountings for entries were obtainable free of charge via Mandy Reid at the MFSA offices.

Alluding to the tremendous increase among corporate company entrants as opposed to submissions from direct marketing agencies, Stathacopoulos said that this was indicative that an increasing number of corporates were now engaging in "great direct marketing campaigns".

"It was also refreshing to detect an increase in new entries from traditional advertising agencies and, from the entries received thus far, there are indications that the digital space was growing rapidly," observed Stathacopoulos.

She added that marketers were making use of a mix of direct marketing mediums to ensure effective campaigns. "Overall, though, there is a significant increase in the quality and standard of entries," stated Stathacopoulos..

According to Stathacopoulos, Cape Town's advertising agencies were currently eclipsing their Johannesburg counterparts with regard to the quality and quantity of direct marketing campaigns.

While appealing for judges with the relevant expertise to make themselves available for this year's Awards function, Stathacopoulos said that her committee would be selective and stringent when finalising its judging panels.

"We are also looking for more black judges to come forward as we are totally committed to the strong transformational drive being spearheaded by the MFSA," stressed Stathacopoulos.

She added that apart from return-on-investment (ROI), strategy and creativity, database has been added as an additional judging criteria for this year's Assegais.

"We've done this because database is an integral and significant component of direct marketing," explained Stathacopoulos.

The Assegai Awards, while focussing on Return-On-Investment as its primary yardstick in selecting its winners, recognise, reward and promote creativity and excellence in direct and interactive marketing which utilises various channels and media to bring marketers into direct contact with customers. The multiple direct disciplines that share the common goals of measurable, cost-efficient, one-to-one marketing are integrated under the Assegai Awards.

Further information regarding entries, award categories, sponsorships and banquet details are obtainable at the Assegai Awards web-site at www.assegai.co.za.