A History of the ASPY Awards

For those of you who do not know the complete history of the ASPY Awards, allow us to provide some background.

In 2000, the first Agency Summit launched. It was the first time leaders from digital agencies and media providers from across the country came together to address key issues within the industry, as well as establishing best practices to move our industry forward.

As digital agency leaders, it was the first time we had all been in a room together discussing common issues we all face. We felt this was a great venue for us to collaborate and actually make a difference in helping our industry evolve. As a result, this particular conference sparked the development of the IAB / AAAAs Industry Standard Terms & Conditions. And, you guessed it, it was held in Aspen, Colorado. From there, the Aspen Group was formed.

In the early days of iMedia, everyone was still learning (and struggling) how to adapt to the changing digital marketplace, especially after the "bubble burst". Much of those early discussions were filled with buyer vs. seller debates. While they were, and continue to be, healthy discussions, we (the agency community) did get the sense that we were spending a lot of time addressing what was "wrong" and not providing more positive feedback to the publishers.

In 2003, the Aspen Group created the ASPY Awards. A series of awards handed out to the publisher and media providers for excellence and recognition in key areas; nominated and voted by the agency community. While the categories have evolved over the years, the purpose is still the same; to give thanks to those on the publisher side that have gone above and beyond, to not just better service us, and our clients, but also contributing to the growth of our industry.

The 2013 ASPY Awards Advisory Board

The ASPY Awards Advisory Board plays a key role in defining the categories and criteria, as well as reviewing all nominations to ensure they qualify and then as a Board selecting finalists for voting by the iMedia agency community.

David Smith, CEO, Mediasmith
Jason Burnham, Partner & Social Engineer, Burnham Marketing
Peter Platt, President, PSquared Digital
Brian Monahan, Managing Partner, MagnaGlobal Intelligence
Jim Meskauskas, Chief Strategic Officer & Co-Founder, Media Darwin
Nicole Incherchera, Director, MindShare
Kay Wesolowski, VP Digital Media Director, Kelly Scott Madison
Tamara Bousquet, Executive Media Director, Piston (formerly MEA Digital)
Shenan Reed, Chief Media Officer & Founder, Morpheus Media
Joey Dumont, Partner, Questus
Christine Peterson, Director of Media Services, LBi

2013 ASPY Awards Timeline

2013 ASPY Award Categories & Criteria

Best New Technology The company that has created the most impactful new technology platform specific to media, ad operations, social media, or mobile marketing. Nominees must include products specific to the advancement of media and advertising.

Best Customer Service This represents the company that provides you and your agency with the best all-around customer service. This includes sales & professionalism, ad operations & campaign management, and billing & reconciliation.

Best Ad Product Innovation The company that you feel has developed the most innovative product that supports advertising this year. This can include media opportunities, creative ideas, research & measurement solutions, technology, etc.

Best Data or Analytics Solution The company that has provided the best products and/or services in the fields of data, research, insights, analytics, or any measurement solution that further advances the quantification and qualification of marketing and advertising initiatives.

Best Integrated Solution The company that has excelled at developing ad supported solutions specific to multi-channel/platform programs. This can include, but not limited to, creative, cross-media integration, cross channel measurement and attribution, etc.

Oldtimer of the Year This award is given out to an individual on the sales side of our business that has provided superior strategic selling, excellent customer service, industry pioneers, and has significantly contributed to the growth of our industry over the past year.