FAQS

View some FAQs below by clicking on the questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question here then please contact us.

Q. My client is on holiday, can I still enter the Best Awards with a signature to follow?: Yes but by submitting an entry, you will automatically be liable for paying for that entry, even if the client later decides to refuse permission. The terms & conditions state that all entries must be signed by your client: essentially this is to protect the MAA using your entries for judging purposes and in winners publicity. You should seek client approval well ahead of the deadline and plan who will sign the entry by the client organisation in advance of any holiday/unforeseen absence. The online application requires you to give the client name and an email. After you submit an entry, your client will receive an automated invitation to see the entry detail linked to their name, which they can authorise online or authorise by fax to MAA. There will be a maximum two week period for MAA to receive this confirmation after the later closing deadline of 13th October (ie. all client signatures must be provided by 27th October). The MAA will automatically send an email to you confirming receipt of client authorisation, but it will remain your responsibility to chase your client to sign (as needed). Any amendments to entries will be charged at the late entry rate.
Q. My client is concerned about disclosing highly sensitive results information, how is the information going to be used and do I have to supply much detail?: You should index sensitive information where appropriate to avoid very specific disclosure, but, especially for the campaign group of categories, be aware that client judges will need to have sufficient information to assess results (this is part of the criteria prompted on your entry form). The first stage shortlist judging is an online process to invited peer judges only, but MAA cannot guarantee who will see this information. MAA will supply winning entry submission details to third parties who will write short editorial pieces for the Guardian and other Marketing trade press, without further permission being sought from any entrant agency. The MAA may also use some winning campaigns as case studies within its training courses, again without further permission being sought. Under exceptional circumstances, MAA may accept a revised case study for publicity/training purposes only, but this must be agreed in advance with the MAA at the time of entry and the entry form originally supplied must be used throughout each stage of judging (ie. MAA cannot accept new information that would advantage your entry in later rounds of judging).
Q. Why do I have to supply so many visual components – can I just send one visual?: We cannot process entries that are not supported with all the mandatory minimum visual requirements. The MAA does not have access to or resource for creative services to amend visuals. The life of an awards entry is complex: first the summary visual A1 case study needs to be viewed online at low-res optimised for judging, then if shortlisted, your high-res print will need to be supplied by you for the finalist judging in January. This image file will also be sent to the Guardian for their winners gallery (they will print a pristine copy for the gallery): we need a print optimised high res A1 image file supplied when you enter. We also need a jpeg/pdf as a small snapshot reference to the campaign because if you win, it will appear printed in the winners booklet. Finally, all collateral will be needed for the winners show which will include winners videos and stills projected very large scale. It is also better for you to control how your work will be seen across all media. Please ensure that all components that judges will see are kept anonymous.
Q. I am entering a TV campaign, the file is too big to upload, can I send you a DVD instead?: You will still need to supply low-res moving image for the initial online judging. We recommend WMV files (min 640 x 360). Our upload facility utilises the FFmpeg tool to convert your video to the most suitable format for online viewing. Additionally you will need to observe the minimum mandatory still image visual requirements (see above FAQ). If you are shortlisted, we will also need a DVD supplied with film files supplied as high quality quicktime movies (HD preferred): this can either be sent to MAA when you enter in October or after the shortlist announcement in January.
Q. How much does it cost to enter and how do I pay?: The entry fees are the same for all categories 1-33, but vary depending on whether you are an MAA member or not, and also whether you enter by the early deadline 6th October, or the late entry deadline 13th October. For EARLY entries received no later than 12.00 midnight 06/10/2011 MAA members pay £255 each entry (£299.62 inc. VAT); Non members pay £357each entry (£419.47 inc. VAT). For LATE entries received no later than 12.00 midnight 13/10/2011 MAA members pay £295 each entry (£346.62 inc. VAT); Non members pay £397 each entry (£466.47 inc. VAT). These are the rates that apply that your agency agrees to pay from the moment you submit your entry, regardless of whether your client authorises your entry or if you supply any other incomplete information which leads to your entry being disqualified. Please see the Terms & Conditions of entry and read these FAQs. Your online entry submission should include a purchase order reference number (provided by your agency). This same PO number should be referenced in an electronic BACS payment to MAA, which should be made within 7 working days of submitting your entries online. For BACS transfer, the Account Name is Marketing Agencies Association Ltd; Sort Code is 30-93-68; and Account Number is 01232935. The correct fee should be calculated as per the above rates and if you have any query about payment or whether you are a member or non-member, please contact the MAA directly on 020 7535 3550. Invoiced receipts will be issued retrospectively once we have received your entry and BACS transfer.
Q. I have some entries ready by the 6th October deadline and another batch that will be ready for the final late deadline 13th October, can I just pay the early rate or how does it work financially?: Please see the above FAQ. We will apply early or late rates to batches of entries received based purely on the time when you finally submit them online (but ahead of client authorisation). This is however provided that they are not incomplete in terms of entry information and visuals. Any incomplete entries may be disqualified or charged at the late rate at the discretion of the MAA.
Q. How many entries can I submit and is it okay to enter the same campaign in multiple categories?: There is no restriction on number of entries and yes you can submit a campaign in multiple categories. Please note that you will need to supply individual entry components (ie. written/visual support) for each and every entry submitted, even if it is the same campaign. To give your work the best chance avoid blanket ‘cut and pasting’ from an offline master document: each entry should be tailored to answer the individual category summary/judging criteria.