AMASA’s Roger Garlick Awards will be hosted by Wag the Dog at the publishing company’s annual MOST awards being held in Johannesburg in September.
“Both awards are based on the premise that skills, knowledge and superior service levels will ensure effective delivery and ultimately improve the bottom line. In other words both awards acknowledge and celebrate achievement,” says Sandra Gordon, CEO of Wag the Dog and publisher of The Media and The Media Online.
It’s a move that AMASA’s chairperson, Lyn Jones, agrees with. “We’re delighted to be part of the MOST Awards, and are excited about the synergies between both initiatives going forward,” she says.
The Roger Garlick Awards (RGA) were launched by AMASA in 1999, with the core aim to acknowledge innovative media planning. AMASA encourages the industry to raise the bar through creative thought and clever media plans, achieved in collaboration with media owners and delivering superior results for clients.
The MOST Awards use a “rigorous research” programme to recognise media agencies and media owner sales and marketing teams. This encourages staff to improve service levels, knowledge and skills, resulting in improved standards and efficacy.
The move won’t create any changes in branding or organization, says Gordon. “The MOST Awards will host the RGA which is owned and run by AMASA. At the MOST Award event on September 6, I will ask the AMASA chair to join me on stage to present the winner of RGA with their award, so it becomes one of the awards we hand out on the night,” she says.
“Obviously we will make a fuss of it being included in our ceremony as it is a long standing, well thought of award. It also means that the RGA finalists will book tickets and invite the appropriate clients. We are taking MOST to a 1000-seater venue this year to accommodate more people and want to encourage advertisers and marketers to join us. The RGA will assist with this.”
Gordon says she was approached by AMASA to consider taking on the Awards. “They saw MOST as credible, well run and exciting. Plus it is the best fit and they will benefit from the increased exposure MOST will give RGA,” she explains.
And she adds: “Through celebrating superior company and individual endeavor we raise the bar and encourage others to shoot the lights out. Of course awards are seductive!”
AMASA is calling for entries from all media agencies, strategists, creative agencies, marketers and media experts, with leading campaigns approved by client and flighted between January1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Entries close July 6, 2012 and finalists will be announced at AMASA’s monthly forum on 1 August 1, 2012.
2012 Roger Garlick Awards will cost R800 per entry. For entry forms, campaign criteria and further info, visit www.amasa.org.za
