NEPTUNE AWARDS

Marine Marketers of America [MMA] is now accepting entries for the 2024 Neptune Awards competition, the most prestigious recognition program of marketing communications for marine marketers in North America.

The annual contest, now in its 17th year, is open to any company or organization producing and publishing marine industry marketing work between January 1 and December 8, 2024. Entries will be accepted through December 8. The winners will be announced in February 2025.

The Neptune Awards Ceremony will take place live in February 2025 at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show.

“The Neptune Awards recognize the most outstanding marketers and marketing campaigns in the marine industry, inspiring us all to continue driving forward,” said MMA President-elect Alisdair Martin, founder of the AM consultancy. “Built on a foundation of innovation and passion, our industry thrives on the exceptional work showcased by the Neptune Awards. We’re thrilled to celebrate the remarkable campaigns and initiatives that are shaping the future of marine marketing and elevating the boating industry to new heights.”

The submissions will be scored by panels of independent judges following established criteria. More than 75 marketing professionals from throughout the industry served as judges for the 2023 awards and found it to be a very rewarding and educational experience.

Neptune Awards Marketing Categories Overview & Descriptions

Best Use of AI

This category celebrates innovators who are leveraging cutting-edge AI in their marketing strategies. These disruptors exemplify creativity by utilizing AI for personalized content recommendations, chatbots for real-time customer interactions, predictive analytics for targeted campaigns, and AI-generated content for social media. By integrating AI, they enhance customer experiences, optimize ad spending, and create hyper-personalized marketing messages.

Additionally, this category recognizes exceptional use of AI in Data, Analytics, and Insights within the marine industry. These campaigns demonstrate a strategic approach to data-driven decision-making, advanced analytics, and market insights powered by AI.

Please provide examples and details of creative, out-of-the-box applications of this emerging technology.

Boat Show Marketing

This category acknowledges marketing efforts specifically designed for boat shows and their attendees. It is open exclusively to organizations that engage directly with consumers.

Please provide an overview of your boat show marketing strategy, including visual examples, the rationale behind the program, specific goals, and measurable results.

Email Marketing

This category celebrates outstanding email marketing campaigns that delivered measurable results. Judging will focus on quantifiable outcomes, such as leads generated, email open rates, click-through rates, and sales, either in units or dollars.

Submit a PDF overview of the campaign, outlining the rationale, specific goals, the campaign timeline, and the final results.

Event Marketing / Grassroots

This category recognizes the best grassroots or event marketing initiatives of the year, whether related to boat shows, seasonal promotions, or special events (both online and offline). Quantifiable results, such as leads generated and sales achieved, will play a significant role in judging.

Submit a PDF summary of the program, including the rationale, specific goals, timing, and final results.

Integrated Marketing Campaign

This category is for large-scale initiatives, such as new product launches or rebranding efforts, that involve multiple marketing mediums, including print, digital advertising, email, social media, and events.

Submit a PDF overview of the campaign, detailing the rationale, goals, timeline, and final results. Be sure to include graphics, photos, and as many details as possible about the campaign elements.

Lead Generation Campaign

This category recognizes marketing campaigns specifically designed to attract and capture potential customers’ interest and contact information. The goal is to build a pool of prospects and nurture them into qualified leads for future sales and conversions.

Submit a PDF summary of the campaign, along with key performance indicators and measurable outcomes.

Marketing Innovation

This category highlights marketing efforts that introduce new approaches, demonstrate creative “out-of-the-box” thinking, or deeply innovate established practices. Campaigns in this category will be judged on creativity, results, and overall customer experience.

Submit a PDF overview of the program, including the rationale, goals, timeline, and final measurable results. Be sure to provide details such as graphics and photos of program elements.

Marketing Collaboration

This category honors outstanding marketing partnerships within the marine industry. These campaigns showcase collaboration between businesses, organizations, influencers, or industry stakeholders to promote marine-related products, services, or causes. Successful campaigns will highlight effective strategies, cross-promotions, and shared resources that contribute to mutual growth and industry advancement.

Submit a PDF overview of the program, including the rationale, goals, timeline, and final measurable results.

New Product / Model Launch Campaign

This category recognizes excellence in New Product or Model Launch campaigns within the marine industry. These campaigns highlight innovative marketing strategies, extensive market research, and compelling messaging that creates excitement and drives sales. They showcase the industry’s commitment to innovation through successful product launches.

Please provide as much detail as possible, including graphics and photos of program elements.

Paid Advertising Campaign

This category focuses on online display or banner ads, including rich media. Submit screenshots of the ads in place, along with data on consumer engagement, including views, clicks, and conversions. Provide information on when and where the ads ran and how many impressions they received.

Include as much detail as possible, including graphics and photos of the campaign elements.

Product Literature (Print or Digital)

This category is for product literature, either in print or digital form. Submit a low-resolution PDF copy of your entry and, if applicable, two hard copies so that production values can be considered. Be specific about the objective of the literature, how it was created, and how and where it was distributed. This category will be judged on overall aesthetics, design, print quality, and content.

Public Relations Campaign

This category celebrates public relations efforts or campaigns. Submit a PDF summary, including the program’s rationale, goals, timeline, and final results.

Include sample press releases, graphics, and photos or videos of campaign elements, as well as press clippings and media impressions.

Social Media Campaign

This category recognizes the best overall social media campaign, with measured results on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or others. Submit a summary of the campaign’s activity, the results achieved, screenshots, and URLs.

Be specific regarding engagement metrics like shares, likes, retweets, comments, and overall interactions.

Website (Brand, Corporate, Landing Page, or Other)

This category recognizes websites, whether they are brand sites, corporate pages, landing pages, or conversion pages. Submit a PDF explaining the rationale behind the website, its purpose, key design elements, and architecture. Include metrics such as traffic, user engagement, and other relevant results. If a login is required, please provide test account details.

Only B2C websites will be considered. Be specific about the site’s purpose, whether informational, e-commerce-driven, or community-based. Include basic metrics such as average page views per visit, time spent on the site, and monthly unique visitors.

Video (Less than 2 Minutes)

This category recognizes brand promotion videos under 2 minutes in length. Judging will focus on message clarity, digital and audio quality, execution, and overall impact. Submit a PDF overview explaining the video’s purpose, rationale, and how it was created and promoted. Include data on distribution and the number of plays.

Video (2 to 5 Minutes)

This category is for brand promotion videos between 2 and 5 minutes in length. Judging will consider message clarity, digital and audio quality, execution, and overall impact. Submit a PDF overview detailing the video’s purpose, rationale, creation, and promotion. Include distribution data and play counts.

Video (Over 5 Minutes)

This category honors brand promotion videos longer than 5 minutes. Judging will focus on message clarity, digital and audio quality, execution, and overall impact. Submit a PDF overview of the video’s purpose, rationale, creation, and promotion.

Additionally, include a 30-second to 1-minute trailer to ensure judges can review all entries efficiently. Provide distribution data and the number of plays.

Video Series

This category recognizes brand promotion video series. Judging will focus on message clarity, digital and audio quality, execution, and overall impact. Submit a PDF overview detailing the series’ purpose, creation, and promotion.

Include the video series or a URL where the series can be viewed online. Additionally, provide a 30-second to 2-minute trailer summarizing the series. Include data on distribution and the number of plays.

Industry Rising Star

The Rising Star Award recognizes emerging marketing leaders with less than five years of experience who have demonstrated significant growth and impact in the marine industry. These individuals are acknowledged by their peers and colleagues for their exceptional potential.

To nominate, provide a 150-word write-up explaining the person’s accomplishments, along with a headshot and up to three supporting links.

Marketing Team of the Year (Digital Media Team of the Year)

This award honors a marketing team that has made significant contributions to the boating industry throughout the year. The team’s efforts should be highly effective and recognizable.

Submit a PDF presentation highlighting team members, their contributions, and a summary of achievements over the past year.

Captain of Industry Marketing Award

The Captain of Industry Award honors an established marketing leader who has made significant contributions to the marine industry. With more than five years of experience, this individual is recognized by peers and colleagues for their passion and lasting impact on the industry.

To nominate, provide a 150-word write-up outlining the nominee’s accomplishments, a headshot, and up to three supporting links with quantifiable results.

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