The Drum Digital Trading Awards USA set to be hosted in New York
With programmatic media trading increasingly representing the bulk of advertisers’ online media spend, trade body the 4A’s, the Guardian, analytics firm Media IQ and the Trade Desk have thrown their weight behind the debut The Drum Digital Trading Awards in New York, as the publications expands its awards scheme outside the UK.
Advertisers’ increasing preference for programmatic media buying technologies is driving the amount of media investment in display advertising past search (traditionally the leading digital advertising medium).
According to eMarketer numbers, 2016 is set to be an inflection point in this power dynamics (see chart below), and to help recognize outstanding performance in the sector, The Drum has assembled a host of leading industry luminaries (the list is yet to be finalized but will be publicized soon) to judge some of the finest work in the North American market over the past 12 months.
eMarketer
The awards are awarded to agencies or companies based in the US which operate in the digital media/trading eco-system and are able to demonstrate a high value service or technology. Entrants must be based within the USA or have produced work for a USA based client.
Lynn Lester, managing director of events for The Drum, commented: “To say we are excited to bring The Drum’s Digital Trading Awards program to America is an understatement. The culmination of events, printed products, online and social media noise as well as the awards themselves will serve our cause well in bringing clarity and transparency to the digital trading sector, firmly putting the spotlight on businesses that are doing well. If the UK is anything to go by, we expect to see some impressive entries showcasing innovation, creativity but more importantly a clear ROI for advertisers. Of course, an ambitious project like this only works with the support of forward thinking businesses in the sector and I’d like to personally thank Media IQ, who are headlining the awards this year alongside our very important partners; the Guardian, the Trade Desk and the 4A’s.”
Entries for the inaugural Digital Trading Awards USA in association with Media IQ are open from today 7 March, with the deadline for entries slated for June 3. The winners of each category (there are 22 in total open for brands, agencies and ad tech providers to enter) will be chosen on July 20, and victors will be announced at a gala event hosted in New York City during September.
Those interested in entering the awards or need further information can make contact on @DRUMDTAUSA, or email Katy Thomson. For those interested in sponsorship opportunities, or eligibility to join the judging panel, please email Lesley Grant or call her at +44 141 559 6062.