SLIM calls for effective marcom work to reward at Effie Awards 2019

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the organiser of the Effie Awards in Sri Lanka, recently announced entry submission for its 2019 competition at a press conference, followed by a workshop facilitated by senior Effie Jurors. 

Launched in 1968, by the New York American Marketing Association, the Effie Awards is recognised by advertisers and agencies globally as the pre-eminent award in the industry, honouring any and all forms of effective marketing communications that contribute to a brand’s success.  

Additionally, the Effie Awards is respected by the advertising fraternity as the weight of evaluation is considered greater towards results than mere creativity and execution.

Providing insight into the competition, SLIM has uploaded the comprehensive entry kit on Sri Lanka’s official Effie Awards site – www.effie.lk. The competition calendar, entry categories with definitions, entry process, entry submission check list, reasons for disqualifications of an entry, judging criteria, Effie Index and point allocation etc., have been clearly set out in the Effie Sri Lanka entry kit.

In keeping with the ever-evolving advertising industry, Effie Awards Sri Lanka, in addition to the existing categories, has introduced four new categories this year’s competition such as Media Effies: Media Content Partnerships and Data-Driven, Specialty Audience: Influencers and Youth Marketing, Positive Change: Environmental Goods, Health: Disease Awareness and Education & Advocacy. 

The qualifying period to enter work or cases is from 1 January to December 2018, from which the jury will assess campaign effectiveness. The last call for entries is Friday, 22 July. 

SLIM also hosted a Breakfast Meeting and interactive session for all heads of marcom agencies with the participation of senior jury representatives for the first time this year. 

The objective was to highlight the areas of improvement in entry submissions thereby raising the quality of the entries submitted not only as winners in the local Effie competition but also to succeed across borders in regional Effie programs such the Asia Pacific Effies. 

Agency heads too provided valued feedback to enhance the standard of Effie Awards in a way the industry would benefit in the longer run.

“As our industry becomes even more complex, we firmly believe in adapting today’s communication realities and recognise the best campaigns that deliver clear results for their clients and in proving they really work. New categories have been introduced as the industry landscape changes and effectiveness must also remain dynamic and keep apace. The jury process too has undergone improvements this year such as involvement of international Effie jurors, stringent screening of entries, workshop for new jurors on effective entry evaluation etc. I am honoured to chair the jury of this prestigious international competition and look forward to a very close competition with good quality entries,” noted Effie Awards Sri Lanka Head of Jury and Innovations Quotient Ltd. Director Irfan Ahmed.

Ahmed is an eminent marketer who has a sound footing in marketing communications and has a wealth of experience playing a dual role as client and the ad agency, which makes him an ideal personality to lead a panel of advertising specialists for this award show.