Call for Entries

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. Is the Direct Marketing International ECHO™ Award based on results alone?

    No, although strong results are extremely important. Because ECHO™ is one of the few awards in digital and interactive marketing to consider results in the judging, many think of it as the “results award.” But to win an ECHO™ requires much more: brilliant strategy, breakthrough creative and phenomenal results. All three matter in the real world, so all three are considered here. We judge these criteria individually and as a whole to determine the best of the best.

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  2. Must I use the official Entry Form?

    Absolutely. Filling out the Entry Form is the ONLY way to enter the ECHO™ Awards. Just follow these easy steps: Complete the form, process your payment, submit for judging, and mail appropriate creative samples before the May 3rd deadline. You can submit by the extended deadline date of June 3rd, however, there is an extended deadline fee. IMPORTANT: Once you've submitted your entry, you can't change it.

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  3. What do I do if I'm not sure what business category to enter?

    Start by reading the "Categories of Entry" page. The general rule is to match your entry to the category(s) that best defines your industry, product or service. If you're still not sure, email your questions to echo@the-dma.org. Or call 202.861.2496. You can also email the ECHO™ Ambassador in your region.

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  4. Can I enter the same creative work into the competition more than once?

    Yes. Judging is done by business category, and entries are to be submitted into the category(s) that best fits your industry, product or service. If you believe that your campaign fits more than one category, you may enter it in as many categories as appropriate. If you submit and enter into more than one category, you will receive a $200 discount on the second category only. You can submit a creative element more than once. If you enter a campaign/program in which you used more than one advertising medium to promote the product or service (i.e., email, DRTV and online display), you can either submit the entry as a multi-media campaign, or submit separate entries for each medium used.

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  5. Is my campaign still eligible if my target audience was very small?

    Of course. It doesn't matter how big the audience. Your entry will be judged on its overall merit in being on strategy, employing innovative creativity and achieving your objectives, regardless of audience size. Indicate your target audience where prompted on the entry form, and be sure to provide as much additional information as you can to demonstrate the uniqueness of your work.

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  6. Do I have a chance entering a low budget campaign that isn't sexy yet produced dynamic results?

    Sure. Every entry has a chance at an ECHO™. It all depends on the successful execution of the total package: brilliant strategy, breakthrough creative and phenomenal results. What's more, creativity is judged for the originality, effectiveness and professionalism of the copy and graphics. Not the price tag.

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  7. Do bigger agencies have an unfair advantage?

    Absolutely not. The agency name is not revealed on the entry, so ECHO™ judges don't know the size or identity of the applicant. Judges are looking for great creative and stellar results, regardless of whether it’s from freelancers, consultants or large agencies.

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  8. What will happen if my entry is chosen for an ECHO™ Award?

    In August, you will receive your invitation to participate in the 2013 ECHO™ Awards Ceremony and Gala. The black-tie optional ceremony will be held during The DMA2013 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday, October 15th. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Special Award winners will receive two trophies each. Additional trophies can be purchased at a reasonable cost. In many cases, ECHO™ winners get invited to speak at DMA conferences and have their entries featured in trade publications. In addition, winning cases will be on display at the ECHO™ Gallery during the DMA2013 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, published in the ECHO™ Case Studies Library, ECHO™ website, and the Warc Ltd. (World Advertising Research Center) website.

    We respect that entries may have information that your client wishes to keep confidential. If you have these concerns, please contact Jenny Abreu, CMP, MTA, DMA — Director of Awards & Recognition Programs at 212.861.2496 or jabreu@the-dma.org.

    Please note that the individual who completed the submitter form for your entry will be the contact for communications, as well as distribution of trophies, plaques, etc. If this contact changes between the time you submitted your entry and August, you must contact the ECHO™ Department. Otherwise, all communications (including winning trophies, plaques, etc.), will be sent to the original entrant submitter.

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  9. How are ECHOs™ judged?

    To win, your entry must pass three rounds of rigorous judging:

    • In Round 1 (screening), marketing professionals with at least seven years of experience, including three or more years in the category you have entered, judge your campaign based on strategy, creativity and results.
    • In Round 2 (the semi-finals), three or more industry professionals scrutinize your entry, and your score determines if your entry moves on to the finals (Round 3).
    • If your entry makes it to Round 3 (finals), you will need to re-submit it in a portfolio format. Your entry will be reviewed by an elite panel of judges, each with fifteen years of direct and digital marketing experience. Their evaluation will determine who wins an ECHO™. Scores must exceed a certain minimum benchmark for each level of award (Bronze, Silver and Gold). If no entries meet the standard, then an ECHO™ is simply not awarded.

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  10. What's the deadline for entering?

    The deadline is May 3, 2013. The extended deadline is June 3, 2013, which requires an additional extended deadline fee of $100 per entry. Enter by May 3 and save $100 off of your entry fee. If you submit into more than one category you save $200 on the second category only. So don't delay! Enter to save!

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  11. What is the entry fee?


    1. Early Bird Deadline: May 3rd — Entry fee $395 per entry — a $100 savings!
    2. Entry Deadline: June 3, 2013 — Entry fee $495 per entry.

    The fees are a one-time fee.

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  12. Do you have to be a member of DMA to enter the competition?

    No, you don't. The competition is open to anyone who feels they're good enough to win. DMA member or not, make sure you submit your best work, because our judges are tough.

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