We’re excited to reveal the 2024 Performance Marketing Awards Shortlist; recognising the very best in performance marketing and celebrating innovation, creativity and success within the industry.
Click on the categories below to reveal the shortlist of potential winners for each category.
CHANNEL & CAMPAIGN AWARDS
Best B2B Campaign
Cardlytics is a digital advertising platform. We partner with financial institutions to run their banking rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen banking relationships.In turn, we have a secure view into where and when consumers are spending their money. We use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale, as well as measure the true sales impact of marketing campaigns. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cardlytics has offices in Palo Alto, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Learn more at www.cardlytics.com.
The Best Business to Business (B2B) category seeks to reward a B2B campaign utilising any performance-based methodology to meet predefined goals and objectives for the brand.
Best Brand Engagement Campaign
The Best Brand Engagement Campaign seeks to reward activities that help engage an audience with a brand via a performance-based approach.
The winning campaign will have succeeded in generating conversation or actions from the desired audience segment and having this benefit the company’s underlying goal.
Best Content Partnership
Judges will be on the lookout for a content partnership that turned brilliant ideas into measurable results.
The content partnership could have helped guide consumers along the purchasing funnel via commerce content or social commerce to drive sales or leads for a brand.
Best Experimental Campaign NEW
Smart marketers think outside of the box, looking for new ways to overcome challenges. Whether based on a micro, small or large budget, judges are seeking to reward those who have adopted a test and learn approach with an experimental campaign, utilising new technology, ideas or data that has driven positive results for a client.
Best Full Funnel Strategy NEW
Judges are seeking well executed examples of campaigns or strategies for a brand that have engaged with multiple types of partners or performance marketing methods to reach or influence consumers at all stages of the purchasing funnel.
Best Influencer Marketing Campaign
Judges will be rewarding a creative, well-executed and effective influencer marketing campaign that has met or exceeded the stated objectives from the client.
Judges will seek evidence of astute technology adoption and diligent planning, whilst keeping a keen eye on measurement, creativity and most importantly flawless execution.
Best Integrated Performance Campaign
Channels working in tandem is the focus of our award for Best Integrated Performance Campaign.
Whether it’s affiliate marketing working with paid search, CTV working with creators or another combination of outcome-based marketing, the award will be furnished to a company or team that has combined two or more measurable activities for great results.
Entries should detail the efforts that have been undertaken in helping things get off the ground, including any evidence of changes that needed to occur to attain the desired outcome.
Best Lead Generation Campaign
Judges are seeking a lead generation campaign that has firmly met client objectives by delivering high-quality prospects through a smart, cost-effective and ethical strategy.
Successful entrants will be able to quantify the relative value of leads to the client, keeping them in-line with their original objectives for the campaign.
Best Managed Affiliate Programme - Enterprise Level
Understanding the complexity of the affiliate channel is paramount to running a successful programme.
Judges will be looking for well-executed, competent and holistic management of an individual brand’s enterprise level affiliate programme by an agency, in-house team or affiliate network, as well as improvement on the previous year’s work.
For this category, Enterprise Level is defined as a company with over 250 employees and >£40m in annual turnover.
Best Managed Affiliate Programme - SME
SMEs broadly have different goals and KPIs to enterprise brands. This relatively new category pitches them exclusively against their peers.
Judges will be looking for well-executed, competent and holistic management of an individual brand’s affiliate programme by an agency, in-house team or affiliate network.
For this category, an SME is defined as a company with less than 250 employees and <£40m in annual turnover.
Best Paid Search Campaign
Proficient and successful management of a paid search campaign is likely to pique a judge’s interest in this particular category.
Successful entrants must demonstrate a proficient use of the channel, incorporating data, platforms utilised and new tools where necessary, managed by an in-house team or for a client.
Judges will seek alignment to brand values and goals across a well thought-out and delivered effort.
Best Paid Social Campaign
Judges are seeking to reward an innovative and effective paid social campaign or strategy that gained a stellar set of results via a performance-based effort.
Whether the objective was to drive sales, engagement, leads or even footfall, entries should demonstrate how client objectives were met.
Best Performance Marketing Innovation
Judges will be accolading innovation in the form of technology, creative strategy or campaign execution in the performance marketing space.
Judges will be looking at ROI but also the potential for change and innovation in the long-term.
Best Use of AI in Performance Marketing NEW
Rakuten Advertising connects leading agencies, brands and publishers to active and engaged consumers around the world. With access to Rakuten’s diverse media properties and audiences, combined with an award-winning performance network and proprietary consumer research, Rakuten Advertising creates the right conditions to reach new customers and sustain long-lasting loyalty. Its foundation of advanced technology, data and strategic services positions Rakuten Advertising to offer a differentiated suite of marketing and advertising solutions, while constantly pushing the industry forward. It is a division of Rakuten Inc. (4755: TOKYO), one of the world’s leading Internet service companies. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with offices throughout EMEA, APAC, LATAM and North America. Learn more at www.RakutenAdvertising.com.
Judges will be seeking to recognise smart use of AI within the planning, execution or measurement of a performance marketing campaign.
Best Use of Data and Insights
Earn shares in WeShop for shopping like normal. Every time you shop, share & invite, you’ll earn a slice of the pie. In a world-first, WeShop aims to give 90% of the business to the community that uses it. Every time you shop, share & invite, you’ll earn shares in the company and so become a shareholder.
We call it ShareBack, which is a reward offered exclusively to members of the WeShop community, where members receive shares in WeShop for shopping online, inviting their friends who make a purchase or influencing a purchase by posting recommendations.
Once WeShop is listed on an internationally recognised stock exchange (aiming for September 2024), you can sell or keep them as an investment. Our community are our shareholders. Everyone in the WeShop team and everyone who uses it is part of the movement to democratise consumer ownership. With industry-leading conversion rates and rapid growth, WeShop will launch in the USA soon!
Judges will be looking for an intelligent use or analysis of first-, second- or third-party data. Entrants should highlight how the use and analysis of data has driven success.
Best Use of Dynamic Commissioning NEW
Sophisticated use of dynamic commissioning to drive value and sales for a brand will be recognised with this new category.
Judges will be seeking to reward a strategy that has driven value and efficiencies for the brand, whilst incentivising partners to drive profitable sales.
Best Use of Programmatic Ad Buying NEW
Judges are seeking a standout use of programmatic ad-buying with clear evidence of results.
Judges will be looking to reward an entry that clearly details the campaigns objectives, target audience, inventory used, and determine the value of the programmatic ad strategy to the business or client.
INDUSTRY & VERTICAL AWARDS
Best Finance Campaign
Blue Light Card is the UK’s number one discount service for emergency services, NHS, social care workers and armed forces.
With more than three million members across the UK, Blue Light Card works with over 16,500 partners including the likes of Spotify, Toby Carvery, Hotels.com, Cineworld, Sky, EE and Halfords, providing savings, discounts and benefits that often aren’t available to the general public. In 2022 alone, Blue Light Card holders saved over £250 million on everything from holidays and days out to groceries and utilities.
Membership to Blue Light Card for access to all online deals and discounts is quick and easy by registering online at www.bluelightcard.co.uk. A card costs £4.99 and is valid for two years.
There for those that are there for all of us.
Judges will seek to reward a campaign that has excelled within the finance vertical using a performance-based methodology.
Provide examples of how the campaign was creatively planned and smartly executed in addition to any technologies used that added value.
This category can be entered in collaboration with one or multiple clients and must be campaign focused.
Best Retail and eCommerce Campaign
Judges will seek to reward a campaign that has excelled within retail or eCommerce using a performance-based methodology.
Provide examples of how the campaign was creatively planned and smartly executed in addition to any technologies used that added value.
This category can be entered in collaboration with one or multiple clients and must be campaign focused.
Best Technology and Telecoms Campaign
Judges will seek to reward a campaign that has excelled within the technology and telecoms vertical using a performance-based methodology.
Provide examples of how the campaign was creatively planned and smartly executed in addition to any technologies used that added value. Returning again in 2024 – how collaboration and the human touch enhanced the campaign for a competitive edge.
This category can be entered in collaboration with one or multiple clients and must be campaign focused.
Best Travel Leisure and Lifestyle Campaign
Judges will seek to reward a campaign that has excelled within the travel, leisure or lifestyle vertical using a performance-based methodology.
Provide examples of how the campaign was creatively planned and smartly executed in addition to any technologies used that added value.
This category can be entered in collaboration with one or multiple clients and must be campaign focused.
TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
Affiliate Network or SaaS of the Year INDUSTRY VOTED
At TopCashback we’re proud to have established ourselves as the UK’s leading cashback platform, helping our 14 million users save money when they shop from our range of 6,000+ brands. Despite our exponential growth since launching in 2005, we remain dedicated towards our mission of being the most generous cashback company in the world.
For a shot at their very own PMA, affiliate networks or SaaS competing for the Affiliate Network or SaaS of the Year award, must enter as usual via the website. Judges will then create a shortlist based on how well the network or SaaS engages and supports their clients, enabling them to evolve and optimise their performance marketing activity.
Once the shortlist is announced the industry places their vote. With one vote per company taken into consideration when deciding the outright winner.
As per last year, this award focuses on product development, service and support for both advertisers and for publishers/affiliates.
Best Performance Marketing Technology
Judges are looking for a technology that has helped grow, service or drive efficiencies for client’s performance marketing activity.
Along with obvious benefits through return on spend, the technology may provide a competitive advantage for its subscribers or allow them to do business in a smarter way.
Judges will be looking for an innovative product and evidence of its evolution along with proof of customer adoption, results, and satisfaction.
Best Technology for Retailers
Judges are looking for a technology that has helped brands target consumers and achieve measurable sales or improved customer experience, through innovative technology.
Entrants should demonstrate how its technology is innovative and supports advertisers in their performance marketing efforts.
TEAMS, TEAMWORK & AGENCIES AWARDS
Best Affiliate & Partnership Marketing Agency
VEVE is a technology-based performance and brand marketing platform that enables brands to connect with 1 BN+ devices across various mobile handsets (OEMs), Internet Browsers, App Stores and Premium Apps across the globe. The strong collaboration enables brands to access 36% of smartphone and desktop users in North America and 50% across Europe. The massive reach along with the novelty of the VEVE’s on-device ad formats helps brands drive clicks, visits, new user acquisitions, sales, subscriptions, and app installs.
The winner of the PMA for Best Affiliate & Partnership Marketing Agency will be masters of planning and executing joined-up affiliate and partnership campaigns for their clients. Utilising multiple forms of performance-based partnerships to deliver exceptional results.
Best Performance Marketing Agency
Partnerize is the leader in partnership automation. The Partnerize platform is the only of its kind to deliver a fully integrated, comprehensive suite of discovery, recruitment, optimization, payment, brand safety and fraud prevention capabilities for marketers seeking a high transparency, scalable subsidy to alleviate pressure on their unit economics as a result of over dependence on primary sales and marketing channels. Supported by unrivaled service including the category’s only in-housing support program, with Partnerize, you’re in control of the entire partnership marketing lifecycle—all on a single platform. Headquartered in NYC, Partnerize retains offices in Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre. For more information on how Partnerize helps turn your partnerships into a profit center, please visit https://partnerize.com/en.
The winner of the PMA for Best Agency specialising in Performance Media (Programmatic, Performance Content, Native, Data Solutions etc) – will be masters of driving value for clients using the suite of methodologies available to them for their clients. With a focus on driving digital optimisation and positive transformation.
Best Team in Performance Marketing
Millions of people globally trust Finder to help them make better decisions. We understand that making everyday life decisions such as finding a credit card, buying a home or choosing the right insurance can be daunting! That’s why we’re here. Our goal is to help people navigate those complex decisions by making them less of a chore (and hopefully less of a bore, too!).
In the UK we now help a million people each month learn how to get a better deal across hundreds of categories from financial services to travel and shopping. Our content experts create in-depth guides, reviews and comparison tools to meet the needs of our wide range of users.
This multi-demographic award aims to recognise great teams that have earned the respect and admiration of their clients. Great teams keep the industry evolving and the PMAs are keen to recognise those that excel and collaborate with their clients to optimise their activity and potential.
This award is open to teams from across the performance marketing industry.
Industry Rising Star
Aimed at rewarding bright, ambitious and exceptional talent working in the performance marketing industry.
Nominations are welcome from across all demographics; this could be directly from individuals with employer endorsement, or from their employers, however, employers must outline the impact the nominee has had on the business and their performance during the judging period.
Up to six entrants will be shortlisted who will be invited to the judging day to pitch to our dragons (judges) on an industry related topic.
During the pitch, judges will be looking for drive, enthusiasm, ambition and industry knowledge.
A reduced fee is applicable for entry.
Partnership for Good
The winner of this new award will be a partnership that has delivered on set objectives that aims to leave the world in a better place. Examples could include partnerships that encourage sustainability, health and purpose, social good or green initiatives.
Partnership of the Year
Judges are seeking to reward a solid example of a partnership between two or more companies that has driven mutual success.
Success could be defined as increasing customer conversion, sales or perhaps amplifying reach. Partnerships take many forms and thus any objective that has helped each party edge closer to their goals or mission would be valid for consideration.
Publisher of the Year
Founded in Santa Barbara, California in 1998, CJ (formerly Commission Junction), continues to lead the industry as the largest, most trusted name in global performance marketing, specializing in affiliate marketing technology and services. We are the platform of choice for driving profitable growth for over 3,800 global brands around the world across all verticals including retail, travel, finance, and network & home services. Our technology powers a partnership ecosystem where over 167K publishers and brands engage billions of consumers worldwide. As part of Publicis Groupe, aligned with Publicis Media, we leverage unparalleled data, technology, and strategic expertise to bring a truly customer-centric approach to performance marketing. Our people dare to think big and drive even bigger results. Learn more at www.cj.com.
Judges are seeking to reward a publisher that has truly excelled during the last 12 months. With a blend of innovation, creativity, uniqueness and results that set them apart from their peers.
As per 2023, this is now a judged category and there will be no public vote.
Together We Solved That
Judges are looking for an example of a real world challenge that has been solved for a client (with a great outcome) using both technology and the power of great teams.