Comments on: A4U Awards judged entries finalists and meet the judges http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html Welcome to Kieron's blog - the life and times of an Internet Marketeer Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:42:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: See you at the Awards! http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7997 See you at the Awards! Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:57:25 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7997 [...] for the second annual A4U Affiliate Marketing Awards. I’m really excited as not only am I a judge but I’m also nominated in the blog category. I’ve had loads of fun reading through and [...] [...] for the second annual A4U Affiliate Marketing Awards. I’m really excited as not only am I a judge but I’m also nominated in the blog category. I’ve had loads of fun reading through and [...]

]]> By: Stephen Pratley http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7928 Stephen Pratley Thu, 29 May 2008 21:33:39 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7928 I just popped back to see if any more comments had been added as I've now sent in my final scoring. I think Dan's comments are interesting and in the interests of 'constructive criticism' should be looked at. No there isn't a specific travel judge, but the awards are judged by volunteers so that's something the travel sector as a whole should look at, not pin at Existem's door. I get your point about the auditing on awards like the fast-track award, but as that's based purely on a financial figure it makes sense. Within the A4U awards it's not purely size that counts, a number of smaller merchants have shown enormous commitment to the channel, come up with creative, rather than expensive solutions and demonstrated strong growth as a result of it. These are more likely to be rewarded than a big brand with a run-of-the-mill programme. My own post on the awards mentioned that it's the affiliate programme,not the business overall that is being judged. After reading 80-odd entries I do agree that sector-specific panels would be nice! They would allow much more substantial entry criteria, but they bring their own problems of confidentiality. Who wants their business scrutinised by a competitor? Having dealt with a number of these in the past for NMA, ECMOD and others there are always pros and cons to each method but A4U has made a good start with the process this year and I'm sure it will continue to evolve. I just popped back to see if any more comments had been added as I’ve now sent in my final scoring. I think Dan’s comments are interesting and in the interests of ‘constructive criticism’ should be looked at.

No there isn’t a specific travel judge, but the awards are judged by volunteers so that’s something the travel sector as a whole should look at, not pin at Existem’s door.

I get your point about the auditing on awards like the fast-track award, but as that’s based purely on a financial figure it makes sense. Within the A4U awards it’s not purely size that counts, a number of smaller merchants have shown enormous commitment to the channel, come up with creative, rather than expensive solutions and demonstrated strong growth as a result of it. These are more likely to be rewarded than a big brand with a run-of-the-mill programme. My own post on the awards mentioned that it’s the affiliate programme,not the business overall that is being judged.

After reading 80-odd entries I do agree that sector-specific panels would be nice! They would allow much more substantial entry criteria, but they bring their own problems of confidentiality. Who wants their business scrutinised by a competitor?

Having dealt with a number of these in the past for NMA, ECMOD and others there are always pros and cons to each method but A4U has made a good start with the process this year and I’m sure it will continue to evolve.

]]> By: Kieron http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7844 Kieron Thu, 22 May 2008 09:09:37 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7844 Dan - I can't say how the other judges arrived at their shortlists but this is how I did it. Yes, I reviewed all of the word files/PDF's etc that were submitted. I also drew on my 8 years of experience of the industry and the people/companies involved to help shape my opnion. When I came across a new company/affiliate etc. who submitted an entry I conducted due dilligence, spoke to other people about them and used other research materials available to investigate further. I don't think we need to go to the lengths of invading nominees offices and demanding to see their financial reports just yet. To be honest I think that your inference that these awards don't have enough substance behind them is a bit insulting. Especially as I know that Matt, Claire, the Existem team and all of the judges put a hell of a lot of work into them. You will have to ask Matt as to why there was no travel representation on the judging panel (and btw there were 11 judges not 10 - see I can be narky too). The short answer is that in my opinion Matt did a great job of putting together a very varied panel that represented all of the verticals involved. Sure there were no judges who solely work in the travel industry, however there were affiliates and agencies who have extensive experience in this sector, as well as the the other sectors for which there are awards. The fact is that with these awards (like all awards) there will be people who disagree with the nominees/winners.Whilst this is fine and everybody has an opinion - it's what makes us all interesting - I feel that Matt has done a great job in putting these awards together and we should be celebrating them and the industry we are in. Dan - I can’t say how the other judges arrived at their shortlists but this is how I did it. Yes, I reviewed all of the word files/PDF’s etc that were submitted. I also drew on my 8 years of experience of the industry and the people/companies involved to help shape my opnion. When I came across a new company/affiliate etc. who submitted an entry I conducted due dilligence, spoke to other people about them and used other research materials available to investigate further. I don’t think we need to go to the lengths of invading nominees offices and demanding to see their financial reports just yet. To be honest I think that your inference that these awards don’t have enough substance behind them is a bit insulting. Especially as I know that Matt, Claire, the Existem team and all of the judges put a hell of a lot of work into them.

You will have to ask Matt as to why there was no travel representation on the judging panel (and btw there were 11 judges not 10 - see I can be narky too). The short answer is that in my opinion Matt did a great job of putting together a very varied panel that represented all of the verticals involved. Sure there were no judges who solely work in the travel industry, however there were affiliates and agencies who have extensive experience in this sector, as well as the the other sectors for which there are awards.

The fact is that with these awards (like all awards) there will be people who disagree with the nominees/winners.Whilst this is fine and everybody has an opinion - it’s what makes us all interesting - I feel that Matt has done a great job in putting these awards together and we should be celebrating them and the industry we are in.

]]> By: Dan http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7842 Dan Thu, 22 May 2008 08:31:16 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7842 Hi Kieron, Hope your well. Were the shortlists compiled purely from the word files submitted? Just thinking that many other awards outside of AM have a bit more substance behind them, for example the fast track award we won earlier this year we had people in the office, accounts vetted etc. If i'd have known nothing said would have been checked id have said AM contributed 90% of alphas turnover which equated to £9bn in AM sales :) Also (feeling slightly narky this morning) where’s the travel representation in the judges? From the 10 judges above id like to have seen a specialist from each vertical that’s being awarded – but that’s just my opinion. Hi Kieron,

Hope your well. Were the shortlists compiled purely from the word files submitted?

Just thinking that many other awards outside of AM have a bit more substance behind them, for example the fast track award we won earlier this year we had people in the office, accounts vetted etc.

If i’d have known nothing said would have been checked id have said AM contributed 90% of alphas turnover which equated to £9bn in AM sales :)

Also (feeling slightly narky this morning) where’s the travel representation in the judges? From the 10 judges above id like to have seen a specialist from each vertical that’s being awarded – but that’s just my opinion.

]]> By: Stephen Pratley http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7819 Stephen Pratley Wed, 21 May 2008 16:38:57 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7819 Hi Mark, I did a little post about what a good entry should include, which is just general advice that would apply to any industry award: http://www.stephenpratley.com/how-to-win-an-a4u-award-in-2009/ Most of the entries are from the merchant / network end as you can see from Kieron's list, but the good affiliate entries were ones that showed innovation and/or a strong commitment to the programmes they were on rather than just picking the 'low hanging fruit' Hope that helps? Hi Mark, I did a little post about what a good entry should include, which is just general advice that would apply to any industry award:
http://www.stephenpratley.com/how-to-win-an-a4u-award-in-2009/

Most of the entries are from the merchant / network end as you can see from Kieron’s list, but the good affiliate entries were ones that showed innovation and/or a strong commitment to the programmes they were on rather than just picking the ‘low hanging fruit’

Hope that helps?

]]> By: Mark http://www.here.org.uk/2008/05/a4u-awards-judged-entries-finalists-and-meet-the-judges.html#comment-7817 Mark Wed, 21 May 2008 10:58:27 +0000 http://www.here.org.uk/?p=815#comment-7817 Are there any plans to share some of the detail behind what makes these successful? I'm not asking for any confidential information, just some indicators how we can all learn from those who are doing well and perhaps encourage us to use the stuff that's innovative and perhaps even apply to the programmes that are featured as being class leaders. Are there any plans to share some of the detail behind what makes these successful? I’m not asking for any confidential information, just some indicators how we can all learn from those who are doing well and perhaps encourage us to use the stuff that’s innovative and perhaps even apply to the programmes that are featured as being class leaders.

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