As of today the MOST Awards 2013 surveys are live. More than 200 media owners, media agencies and marketers are expected to participate in this nationwide survey of service excellence in the industry.
Media agencies and media owners are encouraged to visit Wag the Dog MOST Awards to complete the relevant survey questionnaire. The link is also available on The Media Online.
Wag the Dog Publishers and Freshly Ground Insights (FGI), research partners of the MOST Awards, held consultations with all stakeholders to ensure the survey questions remain relevant. There are no additions or changes to this years’ survey.
Results will be announced at the ‘must attend’ MOST Award event on 3 September in Rivonia, Gauteng. AMASA’s Roger Garlick awards for the best creative media campaign of the year will again be hosted by MOST.
The criteria for the mainstream Media Owner (MO) Awards (for agencies to complete) are as follows:
1) Knowledge of own brands and the media landscape
a. Having in-depth knowledge of the media brand/s that the media rep represents
b. Understanding how the media brand/s measure up against key competitor brands
c. Understanding how the media brand/s measure up in the broader media landscape
d. Having a solid understanding of the broad media landscape
2) Knowledge of client brands and market landscape
a. Ability to interpret a brief and develop a strategically relevant proposal
b. Having sufficient understanding about a brand and its category in order to be able to hold a meaningful conversation with the client
3) Service delivery
a. Timeliness – being on time, delivering proposals promptly
b. Preparedness – being suitably prepared for client meetings
c. After-sales service
d. Presentation – well constructed and relevant proposals
e. Listening skills – being able to understand what has been requested
f. Availability – being readily available and prompt in replying to calls/messages
g. Communication – keeping the client up-to-date on the progress of campaigns
h. Execution – ensuring that the campaign is delivered as agreed & purchased
i. Admin – the efficiency of the media owner back-office
4) Innovation
a. Presenting relevant innovative opportunities in briefed proposals
b. Using initiative and proactively presenting relevant innovative opportunities
c. Periodically presenting new information/insights about the media brand/s
5) Empowerment
a. The extent to which the sales rep is mandated to make decisions
b. The extent to which the rep has been trained/empowered to think for themselves
c. The ability of the sales rep to be “flexible” – amending proposals as required
6) Involvement
a. The extent to which the sales rep displays passion and involvement in his/her brands
b. The extent to which the sales rep is genuinely interested in his clients’ brands
c. The general passion and energy that the sales rep displays in his/her job and towards his/her client’s brands
d. The ability and desire to add value to their clients
e. The ability and willingness of the sales rep to go the extra mile for their clients
The criteria for the mainstream MOST Media Agencies (MA) Awards (for media owners to complete) are as follows:
1) Knowledge of the media landscape
a. Having a good general knowledge of the specific media landscape that the media rep represents
b. Taking the initiative to obtain the media knowledge to make an informed decision for their clients
c. Having a solid understanding of the broad media landscape
2) Knowledge of client brands and market landscape
a. Ability to articulate a brief clearly and concisely
b. Having sufficient understanding about a brand and its category in order to be able to hold a meaningful conversation with the media owner sales rep
3) Communication
a. Clearly articulates requirements via verbal and written briefs
b. Provides prompt and honest feedback on proposals
c. Ability to listen to and discuss media owner proposals
4) Professionalism
a. Timeliness – being on time, respectful of time, keeping appointments
b. Preparedness – being suitably prepared for meetings with media owners
c. Presentation – well constructed and clear briefs
d. Availability – being readily available and prompt in replying to calls/messages
e. Responsibility – taking responsibility for and ensuring the efficient completion of the processes and the deal
5) Empowerment
a. The extent to which the planner is empowered to make decisions on behalf of client
b. The extent to which the planner is able to think for themselves
c. The ability of the planner to be “flexible” – amending proposals as required
6) Involvement
a. The extent to which the planner is genuinely interested in his clients’ brands
b. The general passion and energy that the planner displays in his/her job
c. The ability and desire to add value to the client
The research results will be published in a special issue of The Media magazine, which will be available at the prestigious MOST Awards function. The in-depth research findings will be made available to media agencies and media owners at a nominal cost.
