JOIN US FOR CHARLESTON’S PREMIER CREATIVE AND MARKETING AWARDS EVENT
We had a wonderful evening at our AMA Gala, Presenting the Spark Awards on Nov 14, 2024 where we raised money for our nonprofit organization so we can continue to support the marketing community and we also celebrated the amazing marketers in Charleston!
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Presenting Sponsors
Squeeze Marketing
Charleston Radio Group
Gold Sponsors
The Shine Studio
Private i Printing
Whitney McDuff
Silver Sponsors
Balloon Therapy
Braised and Glazed
Wandering Taps
Nelson Printing
Sunshine Treats
Island Brands USA
Liquor Sponsors
Going Places
A special thank you to Whitney McDuff, our event emcee
Charleston AMA 2024 Spark! Awards Winners
Best Digital Advertising
Winner:
Matchstick Social – Local eats & local beer: A match made in heaven
Best Outdoor Advertising
Winner:
In the Black Marketing – Starling Chevrolet
Best E-Newsletter
Winner:
In The Black Marketing -Hamby Catering and Events
Best Website
Winner:
Squeeze Marketing – Squeeze Marketing Website
Best Logo Design
Winner:
VIP Marketing – McKnight Law Firm
Best Illustration
Winner:
Banks Creative – College of Charleston Pocket Guide
Best Corporate Identity Package
Winner:
Matchstick Social – Opal Aesthetics Branded Material
Best Video Marketing
Winner:
Brandon – Victory Brewing: Monkey Time
Best Blog
Winner:
Matchstick Social – Fig Leaf and Co Interior Design
Best Book Cover
Winner:
Banks Creative – The Deadly Daylight
Best Collateral
Winner:
Banks Creative – Something Terrible May Happen
Best Event Marketing
Winner:
Banks Creative – Art Charleston 2023
Best Social Media Presence
Winner:
Matchstick Social – The Zoo – Locally Owned Health Club
Best Direct Mail Marketing
Winner:
Nelson Strategic Marketing – 2023 End-of-Year Fundraising Campaign
Best Non-Traditional Marketing
Winner:
Rümbo Advertising – Bud Light: Partidazo Panna Tournament
Best Product Marketing
Winner:
Rümbo Advertising – Luray Boiled Peanuts: Display Campaign
Best Public Relations
Winner:
Kayla Hey – Magnolia Plantation
Best Food and Bev Marketing Campaign
Winner:
Squeeze Marketing – Galpão Gaucho Brand Awareness Campaign
Best Social Media Campaign
Winner:
Matchstick Social – HART 2023 Mother’s Day Campaign
Best Podcast
Winner:
VIP Marketing – Going Forward Podcast
Volunteer of the Year
Winner:
Kelli Morse – Trident United Way
Marketer of the Year
Winner:
Amy Heath – City of North Charleston
Undergrad Marketer of the Year
Winner:
Nadelie Rosen – College of Charleston
Professor of the Year
Winner:
David Muray – College of Charleston
The Giving Award
Winner:
Charleston Radio Group – MUSC Children’s Hospital Radiothon
Award Categories
Project Awards
A physical print ad that ran locally that you or your business designed. No size restrictions. Media outlet cannot have created it. Does not have to be a part of a campaign. Ex: Full page print ad in Charleston Magazine, discount promotion about your business or services, etc.
A digital-only ad in static or animated form that ran locally. No size restrictions. No timing specifications on run length. Media outlet cannot have created it. Does not have to be a part of a campaign. Ex: 250×300 rotating banner on Charleston City Paper homepage.
The layout, content and final design of an emailed, digital newsletter. E-newsletter must be an active, working template that has or is currently being used. This does not include a printed newsletter. Ex: Monthly company newsletter design sent via Mailchimp.
A live and functioning website with active URL for any brand, business, person or organization. This does not included campaign landing pages. Ex: charlestonama.org
A new or rebranded logo for any kind of business, organization, event, program, initiative, campaign, location or personal use. Identity standards not needed for entry, though would help elaborate on the design process and execution of final design. Rebrands before and after are recommended.
Illustration design for this category should be a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of text or image designed for integration in print and/or digital published media. Work can be represented in any artistic form whether hand-done or digital art. Completed/final work only; no in-progress work. Ex: Vector icons, digital art for video game, charcoal lettering for print ad, ink character drawings.
A collection of items, materials, stationery, collateral and/or promotional products designed to make a statement, an impression and/or uniform image of the brand. These items should be a consistent summary of the brand, how it is represented on a range of different mediums and how it best presents itself to the public. No restrictions on media types. Ex: Logo, letterhead, business card, notecard, pen and mug.
A specifically creative video media intended for promotion of a brand, product or service. Any video type is permitted. No length required. Ex: Commercial to promote new law firm in Charleston.
A a regularly updated website or web page on a business or organization’s website that is written for SEO strategy, internal updates, information communication, opinions, topics or latest news source. Must be an active and up to date blog with recent posts. Ex: https://charlestonama.org/blog
The creative designed for a digital or printed book cover. Includes typography, illustration, painting, etc. Ex: Creative designed on book wrap for children’s book.
Printed marketing material used to communicate or promote your company’s brand message, products or services. Marketing collateral in this category includes a variety of formats. No size restrictions. Media outlet cannot have created it. Does not have to be a part of a campaign. Ex: printed brochures, point-of-sale posters, restaurant menus, rack cards, trade show display, event/sales materials, one-page PDFs, printed annual reports, etc.
This award celebrates a podcast that delivers outstanding content, engages listeners, and provides valuable insight
This award honors a company, program or individual that excels in educating and/or advancing the understanding of AI’s role in marketing.
Campaign Awards
The promotion and marketing of any kind of event. Promotional materials can be of any medium or media type. Results of event not required for submission but would help for context and success of marketing efforts. Ex: Printed invitation or ticket design.
The visibility the brand has on social media platforms and the connection it has built with its community. In addition, the look and feel of the content, graphics and design and how it aligns with the brand as a whole. Ex: The Instagram feed of Charleston AMA and specific posts.
The coordinated marketing effort to reinforce or assist with a business goal using one or more social media platforms. Campaign design, copy, run length, platforms used, audience and results must be included in entry. Ex: The Facebook and Instagram ads for a local pet shelter to get people to adopt.
Direct mail or “advertising mail, “mailshot”, “letterbox drop” or “letterboxing” that was a printed promotional or informative piece mailed to recipients via SC postal service. No size restrictions. No timing specifications on run length. Media outlet cannot have created it. Does not have to be a part of a campaign. Ex: postcards, invitations, coupons, discounts, circulars, plastic mailers, catalogs, etc.
Do you have something awesome, but it doesn’t fit the mold? Tell us here!
The launch of a product to market. The positioning, messaging, target and creative must be included. Creative packaging design, product displays and product campaigns can be included. Ex: POS at a grocery store, product mailer to influencer.
The use of an influencer for a brand or third party promotion to assist the brand in exposure for a period of time. Why the influencer/affiliate was chosen, results and creative must be included in entry. Ex: Charleston Blonde promoting a local clothing brand.
The exposure from creative storytelling through media relations or news coverage. Digital and/or print coverage. Ex: News article, images, press release, community engagement and testimonials from a PR campaign.
This award recognizes a standout marketing campaign that has significantly enhanced awareness and customer engagement within the hospitality industry
This award celebrates a marketing campaign that successfully elevates a food & bev brand or business, demonstrating creativity and measurable success
HOW TO ENTER
Entry Process & Information
NOTE: YOU CANNOT SAVE THE PROGRESS ON YOUR SUBMISSION AND RETURN LATER. PLEASE HAVE ALL OF YOUR SUBMISSION MATERIALS PREPARED BEFORE FILLING OUT YOUR ENTRY.
(1) project title, (2) project synopsis that describes mission, goals and results (3) and LINK to assets.
All submissions for the 2024 Spark! Awards must be from projects/campaigns completed from January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023.
For all award categories, submit ONE URL that links to assets to showcase your work. This may be a Dropbox link, Google Drive link, your own URL, etc. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR LINK HAS PUBLIC ACCESS. Links without public access will not be considered.
All submissions must be made online through the digital submission platform. Submissions will not be accepted via email or mail.
Entry fees are as follows:
- Charleston AMA Members: First entry is FREE; each additional entry $40
- Non-Members: Each entry $50
- Award decisions are final. No refunds for entry fees.
Submissions Are Due Sept 27th
Charleston AMA Special Awards
No cost to nominate
This award recognizes a volunteer of the Charleston chapter of the AMA who has gone above and beyond in their role of volunteer to contribute to the chapter’s success. Nominate someone and in 100 words or less, please explain why the nominee should be considered for this award, including examples of chapter service and volunteerism. Only Charleston AMA members in good standing will be considered for this award.
This award honors a marketer in the greater Charleston area who enhances the marketing community. Nominate someone and in 100 words or less, explain why your nominee should be considered for this award, including examples of marketing excellence in his/her job and contributions to the overall marketing industry in Charleston. Nominees do not have to be members of the Charleston AMA to be considered for this award.
The Giving Award will recognize the work of any individual or company based in the tri-county area that has donated a marketing service to a nonprofit organization. Submission should include 1-5 examples demonstrating donated marketing services. These may align with any project or campaign category or may encompass an overall marketing campaign.
This award celebrates exceptional creativity, strategic thinking and impactful execution. This category honors an undergraduate student whose marketing project demonstrates outstanding innovation, effectiveness, and potential to real-world marketing success. It serves as a platform to recognize and encourage the future leaders of the marketing industry!
This award recognizes an educator who has made significant contributions to the field of marketing through exceptional teaching, innovative curriculum development and mentorship. This category honors a professor whose dedication and expertise have inspired students and advanced the practice of marketing. It aims to celebrate those who shape the future of marketing through their outstanding commitment to education!
To nominate an individual or an organization, please select one of the buttons below and fill out the form. There is no cost to nominate an individual or organization for these awards.
SEE YOU AT THE AWARDS!
The spark awards are over!
Congratulations to the winners, we’ll see you next year!
