CORPORATE / AGENCY SUBMISSIONS

The American Marketing Association Pittsburgh’s Marketer of the Year is Western PA’s premier results-based marketing competition. The following work is eligible for submission:

1. Any marketing work that was created for a marketer based in Western PA
2. Any that was created by a marketing/advertising agency based in Western PA

 Each entry must include answers to the five judging criteria questions below. Responses must be electronically submitted with a maximum of three pages.

 Judges score each entry according to the point system outlined below.* The entry with the highest total number of points in each category is the winner.
Unless the work was done 100% by the organization’s internal marketing team, the partnering marketing/creative agency on the project must be identified.

1. Business Problem /Opportunity (10 points)

What was the basic problem to be solved or situation to be addressed by the marketing program? Highlight internal and external constraints.

2. Objectives (10 points)

What objectives were established to solve the problem or address the situation? Judges will assess points based on whether the objectives are sound, clear and measurable.

3. Strategy (20 points)

What was the strategy for achieving the objectives? Judges will assess points based on how well the strategy is defined, and how well it resolves the problem or situation being faced by the organization. Judges will also examine the organization’s selection of target market(s) and message positioning.

4. Tactics (20 points)

What individual tasks and/or promotional tools were used, e.g., web, digital and social media, traditional media- print, radio, television, outdoor or direct mail, public relations, etc.? Judges will assess points based on how well the tactics are defined and integrated and how appropriate the tactics relate to the strategy.

5. Results (40 points)

What were the results of this effort? Judges will score this section based on how effective the entry was in achieving the stated objectives and producing the results that solved the problem or addressed the situation. Because marketing is about results, this criterion will be weighted more heavily than the others. Therefore, a thorough description of the results is especially important to the overall score.

*Category winners must receive a threshold average score of 70 points or higher to win a category. To win in a category where there are less than 4 different entries, an entry must have an equal or higher judged score than at least two other category winners.

MARKETING EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR SUBMISSIONS

The award honors living marketing educators for distinguished service and outstanding contributions in marketing. It will be presented at the 2019 Pittsburgh AMA Marketer of the Year Event.  

Three criteria are considered when evaluating nominees for the award:

1. Approaches to the support of learning and teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
2. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals.
3. Scholarly activities and service that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching.

All Marketing educators who have made sustained contributions to marketing over an extended period of time are eligible and have not previously won the award within the most recent past 5 years. Marketing contributions should take a variety of forms and should not be limited to a single professional achievement.

Nominations are accepted from students and or faculty.  Students making a nomination must also obtain a faculty letter of recommendation from the nominee’s colleague.  Faculty submissions must include a student letter of recommendation.  While self-nominations are accepted, they require a letter of recommendation from both a student and a faculty colleague.

The nominations should be submitted in electronic form and should include:

1. A letter (not to exceed 2 pages) summarizing the nominee’s accomplishments, public service, teaching/mentoring, and service contributions to the marketing profession. 
2. A current curriculum vita for the nominee.
3. Required letters of recommendation

Selection Criteria:

Nomination must address all three of the selection criteria

1. Approaches to the support of learning and teaching that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn. This may include fostering student development by stimulating curiosity and independence in learning; contributing to the development of students’ critical thinking skills, analytical skills and scholarly values; encouraging student engagement through the enthusiasm shown for learning and teaching; inspiring and motivating students through high-level communication, presentation and interpersonal skills; and enabling others to enhance their approaches to learning and teaching.
2. Respect and support for the development of students as individuals. This may include participating in the effective and empathetic guidance and advising of students; assisting students from equity and other demographic subgroups to participate and achieve success in their courses; and influencing the overall academic, social and cultural experience of higher education.
3. Scholarly activities and service innovations that have influenced and enhanced learning and teaching. This may include showing skills in evaluation and reflective practice; participating in and contributing to professional activities related to learning and teaching; coordination, management and leadership of courses and student learning; conducting and publishing research related to teaching; and demonstrating leadership through activities that have broad influence on the profession.

Judging

A panel comprising selected prior award winners and Pittsburgh AMA Executive Committee members will assess nominations. The Pittsburgh AMA Awards Committee will make final decisions on all award recommendations. The nomination will be judged against the criteria on the extent to which it shows evidence (in the written statement) that the nominee’s contribution has:

• influenced student learning, student engagement, and/or the overall student experience
• gained recognition from students, colleagues and/or the broader community
• been sustained over time.

MARKETING STUDENT OF THE YEAR SUBMISSIONS

This award focuses attention on the varieties of ways marketing students demonstrate excellence and commitment to the marketing and marketing-related majors/professions and their AMA chapter’s mission (if an AMA chapter member).  The Award recognizes students who demonstrate superior leadership, service to AMA or other organizations, academic achievement, and impact on their community.  Award recipients are recognized at the Pittsburgh AMA Marketer of the Year Event, but do not need to be present to be nominated and awarded.

Each university may submit ONE entry only. Nominating a student for this award is a great way for a university to recognize one its members. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Student Applicants will be evaluated based on a complete application packet and the following criteria: Service to AMA/other student organizations, Impact, Leadership and a drive for Academic Excellence.

Service to AMA/other student organizations
Service to AMA/other student organizations reflects the student’s commitment to their community; students must demonstrate instances in which they provided leadership and support to service initiatives that benefit their AMA Chapter or student organization and their community. Service includes, but is not limited to, involvement in the AMA Collegiate Chapter/student organization, including positional leadership.  Applicants must demonstrate explicit evidence of leadership for service initiatives and act with integrity while serving.  Preference will be given to students who successfully represent the mission of their AMA chapter.

Impact
Applicants will be evaluated based on the overall impact of their work with their AMA chapter/student organization and the community. An applicant’s contribution or service should produce a positive change for others. Areas of impact may include, but are not limited to: academic fields of study, social change, cultural awareness, and/ or environmental preservation.

Leadership
Successful applicants demonstrate effectiveness as a leader on and off campus. Leadership empowers others, challenges process, and creates positive change. Leadership is not strictly positional; it also involves fellowship and being a good team player.

Academic Excellence
Academic excellence is a demonstration of the applicant’s commitment to education.  GPA is only a component for academic excellence; and while this should be reported in the resume, it is not the only factor which will be considered.  Students demonstrate academic excellence in a brief essay which focuses on the students’ passion for learning, willingness to explore new ideas, and creative application of knowledge to real world solutions.   Uses of brief examples are welcome.

Application Materials Required
A complete application package will include the following:

1. Two letters of recommendation; one from faculty (if there is a faculty advisor to the Collegiate Chapter of AMA, it must include this faculty’s recommendation), and one from other faculty member, supervisor, or community leader who has benefitted from the service or actions of the applicant. Recommendations must be from individuals familiar with the applicant and his or her accomplishments and the letter should highlight these accomplishments.
2. A current resume, not to exceed one page. Resumes that exceed limits will not be forwarded to the Collegiate Selection Committee.
3. Student Nominee’s response to essay questions.  Essays that exceed the page limits will not be forwarded to the Collegiate Selection Committee.
   
   Nominee Essay Questions

Students must respond to BOTH essay Questions. Limit the response to QUESTION ONE to ONE-HALF PAGE, the answer to QUESTION TWO is limited to ONE PAGE maximum. Both essays should be double spaced 8.5" x 11", 1" margins, and12pt TIMES NEW ROMAN. Answer both questions in one document (page 1 is essay one response, page 2 is essay two response). Save as "Essay_Student Nominee Name". Judges will look for concise, well-edited, insightful responses.

1. Describe how you have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to both your education and professional development. (ONE-HALF PAGE MAX)
2. Describe an experience, related to your AMA/student organization membership, where you made a difference on-campus, in the community, region, nation or world. Describe the ways in which you learned and what the experience meant to you. Consider your service to AMA/student organization and your community, how you demonstrated leadership in this example and the impact you had on others as a result of your involvement. (ONE PAGE MAX)

Submission and Judging Process

Award applicants will be evaluated by a Collegiate Selection Committee composed of Pittsburgh AMA Collegiate Committee members or their designees.

1. Applicants will upload their two letters of recommendation, resume, and responses to essay questions
2. Nominations will be reviewed for compliance and completeness, and sent to the Pittsburgh AMA Collegiate Committee for evaluation.
3. The Collegiate Selection Committee will review application materials and identify the top 5 nominees to the Pittsburgh AMA Executive Board who will make the final determination of the Award recipient(s).
4. Awards will be announced at the Pittsburgh AMA Marketer of the Year Event. Please note that the nominee does not have to be present to win an award.

Coming soon.