Following a thorough research process, which included frequent consultation with media leaders, as well as insight gleaned from a focus group, Freshly Ground Insights (FGI), the research partners of the MOST Awards, have launched the quantitative aspect of their research.
The MOST Award surveys are now live. Media owners, media agencies and advertisers should visit www.wagthedog.co.za and click on the MOST tab to fill out the relevant survey. The link is also available on TheMediaOnline.
This year, survey participants will vote on new MOST accolades: additions to the awards include the Media Owner Lamb and Media Agency Lamb awards. Once again we will ask you to vote for your rising star and lifetime achiever awards (in the media owner and media agency categories respectively).
The Media Owner Lamb and Media Agency Lamb awards acknowledge the smaller agencies and media owners which have a passion for the industry. These companies may have missed the required number of research votes (30 in total) but excel in all the categories, including service delivery and innovation.
The Criteria for the mainstream MO Awards (for agencies to fill in) are as follows:
1) Knowledge of own brands and the media landscape
- Having in-depth knowledge of the media brand/s that the media rep represents
- Understanding how the media brand/s measure up against key competitor brands
- Understanding how the media brand/s measure up in the broader media landscape
- Having a solid understanding of the broad media landscape
2) Knowledge of client brands and market landscape
- Ability to interpret a brief and develop a strategically relevant proposal
- 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
- Timeliness – being on time, delivering proposals promptly
- Preparedness – being suitably prepared for client meetings
- After-sales service
- Presentation – well constructed and relevant proposals
- Listening skills – being able to understand what has been requested
- Availability – being readily available and prompt in replying to calls/messages
- Communication – keeping the client up-to-date on the progress of campaigns
- Execution – ensuring that the campaign is delivered as agreed & purchased
- Admin – the efficiency of the media owner back-office
4) Innovation
- Presenting relevant innovative opportunities in briefed proposals
- Using initiative and proactively presenting relevant innovative opportunities
- Periodically presenting new information/insights about the media brand/s
5) Empowerment
- The extent to which the sales rep is mandated to make decisions
- The extent to which the rep has been trained/empowered to think for themselves
- The ability of the sales rep to be “flexible” – amending proposals as required
6) Involvement
- The extent to which the sales rep displays passion and involvement in his/her brands
- The extent to which the sales rep is genuinely interested in his clients’ brands
- The general passion and energy that the sales rep displays in his/her job and towards his/her client’s brands
- The ability and desire to add value to their clients
- The ability and willingness of the sales rep to go the extra mile for their clients
The Criteria for the mainstream MOST MA Awards (for owners to fill in) are as follows:
1) Knowledge of the media landscape
- Having a good general knowledge of the specific media landscape that the media rep represents
- Taking the initiative to obtain the media knowledge to make an informed decision for their clients
- Having a solid understanding of the broad media landscape
2) Knowledge of client brands and market landscape
- Ability to articulate a brief clearly and concisely
- 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
- Clearly articulates requirements via verbal and written briefs
- Provides prompt and honest feedback on proposals
- Ability to listen to and discuss media owner proposals
4) Professionalism
- Timeliness – being on time, respectful of time, keeping appointments
- Preparedness – being suitably prepared for meetings with media owners
- Presentation – well constructed and clear briefs
- Availability – being readily available and prompt in replying to calls/messages
- Responsibility – taking responsibility for and ensuring the efficient completion of the processes and the deal
5) Empowerment
- The extent to which the planner is empowered to make decisions on behalf of client
- The extent to which the planner is able to think for themselves
- The ability of the planner to be “flexible” – amending proposals as required
6) Involvement
- The extent to which the planner is genuinely interested in his clients’ brands
- The general passion and energy that the planner displays in his/her job
- The ability and desire to add value to the client
The final research information will be published as an insert in a special issue of The Media magazine, which will be available at the MOST Awards. The in-depth research findings will be made available to media agencies and media owners at a nominal cost.
Sponsors of the MOST Awards 2012: Daily Sun, Primedia, ads24, The MediaShop, Vizeum, Initiative Media, DStv Media Sales, AMF, Amasa.
