Guidelines

Anyone involved in business–to–business marketing communications in southeastern Wisconsin may enter the 2018 BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards. You do not need to be a member of BMA to enter!

Entries must have been produced or appeared for the first time in the 2017 calendar year. Information for each entry must be submitted by midnight on March 15, 2018. All entries must be submitted via our online portal.

You may enter a piece in more than one category, but entry fees must be paid for each category entered in order for your entry to be judged. No late submissions will be accepted.

The BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards are when we join together as

one, to recognize those who’ve seamlessly melded commerce

with art, strategy with brilliance, and creativity with results.

Which is why this show has such a distinctive ring to it.

RulesExtended to

March 22, 2018!

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Preparing Your EntriesContent included in your entry must conform to the following specifications:

Judging Criteria – limited to 500 characters per description: (each summary accounts for 25% of the total possible score)

� Creativity

� Production

� Selling proposition/objectives (including target audience & execution strategy)

� Results

PDF Files: Single or Multi–page PDF file can be included with each submission

� Maximum files size is 10MB each. For larger files, contact Jocelyn Fischer at specialevents@bma-milwaukee.org

� Recommended resolution is 300dpi for printed displays

Web Links: Unlimited number of web links can be included with your submission

Videos: Our system does not support streaming videos. As such, we request that you post your video on your web server or use a video streaming platform, such as Youtube or Vimeo, and link to it within the portal

Other Digital Media: Please send an email to Jocelyn Fischer at specialevents@bma–milwaukee.org to discuss submission options

NOTE: The BMA Awards Committee may change the division in which an entry is judged if they determine the entry has

been submitted in an incorrect division.

Entry FeesAll entries must be completed and online payment made by March 15, 2018. All fees must be paid at time of entry and each submission requires a fee.

2018 DeadlinesEarly Bird

(Feb. 15 – Feb. 22)Regular

(Feb. 23 – Mar. 8)Extended (Mar. 9 – Mar. 15)

BMA Members & VIP Visionaries

$75 per entry

$90 per entry

$125 per entry

Non-members$100 per entry

$115 per entry

$150 per entry

Extended to March 22, 2018!

Mar. 22

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JudgingThe BMA Awards Committee will appoint a panel of marketers from corporations and agencies all over the country as impartial judges. Judging will be based on how well each entry accomplished its stated objectives and will include an assessment of communications strategy and creative/production values. Judges may eliminate any entry that does not conform to the BMA Code of Ethics or the rules of the competition. Incomplete submissions will automatically be disqualified. Judges’ decisions will be final.

The judges dedicate their time and talents to participate in a rigorous process of judging the contest entries and selecting award recipients.

Each entry is independently reviewed by each judge and scored in four divisions:

Creativity Production

Selling proposition/objectives (including target audience

and execution strategy)

Results

Each judge can award up to 25 points in each category for a possible total of 100 points. Once the scores of all the judges are averaged for a total cumulative score, the judges reconvene to determine the award winners.

Awards To qualify for a Bell Award, an entry must receive the top score in the category for which it was entered. In the event of a tie, judges will review the entries a second time to determine the Bell Award. To qualify for an Excellence Award, an entry must receive the second or third highest score in the category for which it was entered; two Excellence Awards will be presented in each category.

The Best of Show Award will be conferred upon the entry considered by the judges to be the most outstanding example of marketing excellence.

All winning entries will be revealed in May at the 2018 BMA Milwaukee Bell Awards Event. One award will be presented for each winning entry. Additional copies of awards may be purchased after the awards presentation.

Rights of ReproductionBMA Milwaukee reserves the right to reproduce any entry and to quote from the accompanying statement of objectives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I submit something if it’s a physical piece? I can submit the digital proofs but they won’t do justice to the end product.

If this is the case, we recommend taking photos of the physical piece that showcase why it’s so special. You can upload several images at different angles and showing different components within the portal.

Will I be able to save a submission midway through and come back to it later?

Yes, the great thing about the portal is that once you set up your credentials you can log in later and finish work that hasn’t been submitted yet.

Can I start a submission during the early bird phase and finish it in a later phase but still pay the early bird price?

While you can start a submission during the early bird phase and finish it later, your price is dependent on when you finalize your submission. If you come back to finish a submission at a later date, you will be assessed the price corresponding to that date.

What’s the largest file size I can upload?

The largest file size per entry is 10MB.

What file formats do you accept?

Any file format is accepted as long as it fits within the size limit. Popular formats submitted include: PDF, JPG, URL links, Youtube or Vimeo links.

What should I do if I accidentally submit an entry in the wrong category or provide incorrect information.

Should that happen, please contact the Special Events Chair, Jocelyn Fischer, at specialevents@bma-milwaukee.org.

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This year, we are launching additional

categories to reflect the growing and changing face of B2B marketing. We

look forward to your entry in any of the 44 following categories:

Categories

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A: Digital Marketing

Targeted, measurable and interactive marketing using digital technologies. Post link(s) along with any required login/passwords to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

A1: Microsite Web pages that function as auxiliary supplements to a host site

A2: Website (budget under $25,000) A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.

A3: Website (budget $25,001 to $50,000) A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.

A4: Website (budget over $50,000) A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.

A5: Mobile/smartphone app Application that performs a specific function on a handheld device

A6: Email Campaign More than one email directed to a specific audience (must include 3 or more pieces from campaign)

A7: Augmented/Virtual Reality (single or series)

B: Video

Recorded continuous motion. Please edit length to the best of most representative five–minute segment. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

B1: Video, corporate overview

B2: Video, promotional (new services, product, etc.)

B3: Video, short form/commercial spot

B4: Animation (2D or 3D) or motion graphics Recorded series of still images compiled to create the illusion of motion

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C: Social

Usage of social media channels such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media networks, blogs, forums, or word of mouth. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to the link fields on the entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

C1: Integrated social media campaign (3 or more social media channels) Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 3 or more social media channels

C2: Integrated social media campaign (2 or fewer social media channels) Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 2 or fewer social media channels

C3: Blog Blog published by or on behalf of an organization on a routine basis, or a report specifically addressing an issue

D: Print

Advertising using newspapers, magazines, newsletters, booklets, flyers, direct mail or anything else that would be considered a portable printed medium. Budget should include all production and implementation aspects, such as creative and placement costs, etc.

D1: Full page or spread advertising (single)

D2: Full page or spread advertising (campaign) Must include at least 3 pieces

D3: Original photography

D4: Original illustration

Hand–drawn or computer–generated art

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E: Events

Include photos, floor plans, and any other related materials.

E1: Small tradeshow exhibit (500 sq ft or less) This can include a backwall, tabletop exhibit, kiosk, etc.

E2: Large tradeshow exhibit (over 500 sq ft) This can include a peninsula, island, etc.

E3: Tradeshow campaign Total campaign communication and exhibit details

E4: Fixed installation Displayed in a building lobby, etc.

E5: Themed special event (internal or external) Event organized for a specific audience, such as employees or customers

F: Sales Enablement Tools

Brochures, catalogs, datasheets or packages that enable sales.

F1: Product/Capabilities brochure or catalog

F2: Sales package or media kit Package of information about a company

F3: Promotional item

G: Direct Mail

Advertising sent by mail.

G1: Flat direct mail piece (single or campaign) Must include at least 3 pieces if campaign

G2: Dimensional direct mailer (single or campaign) Must include at least 3 pieces if campaign

H: Corporate

The brand or identity incorporating both the relationship between a customer and a business as well as the look and feel of the business.

H1: Branding or rebranding campaign National or global program to establish or refocus a company or product brand image (must include at least 3 pieces)

H2: Annual report

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I: Internal Communications

The intent to create a cultural shift within an organization, where the employees become more customer–focused and more business focused.

I1: Internal newsletter or magazine (print or electronic) Regular publication delivered to employees (must submit 2–3 pieces)

I2: Internal communications strategy Strategy to communicate to employees within an organization

I3: Employee Intranet/Apps

J: Public Relations

Coordinated B2B public relations effort that supports products, a division, or company. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: media relations campaign results, press releases, press conferences or media tours, analyst relations results/briefings, media kits, new product introductions/announcements, community relations efforts, investor relations communications, and video segments of broadcast coverage.

Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

J1: Public relations campaign Must submit 3 or more items from the list above

K: Non–profit campaign

Services performed or produced for a non–profit organization communicating to a business audience. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: complete advertising campaign, individual advertisements, literature/printed materials, identity materials (logos/letterhead), direct mail, radio, TV, web, video, and public relations strategy.

Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

K1: Non–profit campaign Must submit 3 or more items from the list above

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L: Integrated Marketing Communications Program

Programs that support products, a group of products, a division, or company using an integrated strategy. Entries that may be submitted can include the following items: magazine, outdoor, newspaper, radio, TV, and digital advertising; sales literature; direct marketing; public relations; trade show; video production; interactive media; and sales promotion/merchandising materials.

Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

L1: Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $50,000 or less)

L2: Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $100,000 to $200,000)

L3: Integrated marketing communications program (Budget over $200,000)

M: Market Research & Metrics

Researching the elements of the marketing mix, competitors, markets, etc., dealing with customers.

M1: Qualitative and/or quantitative research project Include data such as words, pictures, objects, or numbers

M2: SEO Campaigns Include data such as words, pictures, objects, graphs, or numbers

M3: Data/Analytics Programs Include data such as words, pictures, objects, graphs, or numbers

N: Agency Promotion

Agency promotion of its capabilities to a business audience. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s)field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.

N1: Total campaign A comprehensive campaign using a combination of marketing tactics

N2: Website Set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.

N3: Video Recorded continuous motion

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A C H A P T E R O F

Learn more about our upcoming events and more ways to support BMA Milwaukee – like our VIP Visionaries program – at bma-milwaukee.org!

You can join these great companies in their continued support for BMA Milwaukee events and programming:

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