On August 23, the Australasian Promotional Product Association (APPA) announced the winners of the prestigious and highly sought after APPA Promotional Product Excellence Awards at an exciting award ceremony and gala dinner held at The Star in Sydney in front of 400 of the promotional products industry elite.

Proving the power of promotional products, the only tangible form of marketing, and their ability to engender strong brand advocacy and profile elevation. APPA award winners shone bright at the industry’s night of nights.

Mr. Steve Granland, CEO, APPA noted: “For decades, APPA has honoured the top performers in the promotional products marketing industry with the annual APPA Awards for Promotional Products Marketing Excellence, highlighting members who have distinguished themselves in innovative design or concept. We’ve experienced the power of these awards and recognition directly from success in our members businesses’. When credibility is the single most important factor to convert a prospective client, awards are the highest form of social proof and brand equity.”

The Platinum Award for Overall Excellence is awarded by the judging panel to the award entrant considered as the stand out of all the awards recognised for their excellence on the evening.

This year’s Platinum Award winner was Sister Kate Marketing, for their outstanding work in the Distributor Self Promotion category.  An APPA judge observed that it was “A very creative idea, executed beautifully.”

The submissions were of an extremely high calibre across the broad range of promotional product marketing campaign award categories, including:  Business to Business, Consumer Gift with Purchase, Distributor Self Promotion, Limited Budget, Merchandise and Catalogue Programs, Events Merchandise, Not-for-Profit Promotion, and Promotional Product Innovation and Design.

Ky Wilson, APPA’s Marketing and Membership Manager noted: “It is fantastic to see APPA members leading the way with creation, innovation and disruption. Seeing the quality of the submissions and the impact that the products made was so impressive. Some of our awards this year have provided the tools to assist making social changes in mental health awareness and youth suicide prevention; essential changes as a society that we need to make. Vital campaigns that have led to raising community awareness, procuring government funding allocations, provided the tangible marketing to enable the raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in charitable donations to cure disease even been the catalyst for the formation of a foundation and a hashtag movement.”

The night also saw the promotional products industry recognise two stand out individuals.  Mr. Gary Elphick, was awarded the Young Achiever Award whilst the APPA Industry Distinction was bestowed upon industry stalwart Steve Skalla.

Finalists included Seen Promotions, YAY! Promos, APD Promotions, Bluestar Promote, Stateside Promotional Merchandise, Turnkey Promotions, Seamless Merchandise, Red Tomato, Impress, Cubic Promote

 

Awards and Winners.

Platinum Award for Overall Excellence – Sister Kate Marketing

Business to Business Programs – Chilli Promotions

Event Merchandise -Sweet Memories Promotional Gifts

Consumer Programs Gift with Purchase – INCK Merchandise

Distributor Self Promotion – Sister Kate Marketing

Limited Budget – Stickers & Stuff

Merchandise Programs and Events Merchandise – APD Promotions

Not for Profit Promotion – The Branding Office

Promotional Product Innovation and Design – 1800ForPromo

 

Awards Judges

Simon Tebutt, Founder and Owner Ninth Wave Consulting, plus Managing Partner Lock Stock Marketing.

Carla Bridge, GM POPAI ANZ

Shileen Costain, FAMI, CPM, AAICD, Strategic Alliance Manager, Pearson

Liliana Bove, Professor of Marketing and Deputy Head, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Melbourne.

 

About APPA

The Australasian Promotional Product Association (APPA) is the only professional trade association specifically for the promotional products and promotional marketing industry in Australasia that advocates for, educates, and facilitates business in a region that turns over approximately 2 billion and employs approximately 20,000 people. APPA Members make up over 76% of the leading and most influential promotional product professionals in Australasian. APPA was established in 1986 and incorporated in 1988 to promote the development, integrity, professionalism and creativity of the advertising form dedicated to promotional products and marketing ensuring good business practices and the highest industry and community standards. APPA represents Members in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands where each Member must follow a strict Code of Conduct to be permitted membership.

 

Media Contact

Ky Wilson

Marketing & Membership Manager

T: 1800 692 772

M: 0488051324

E: ky@appa.com.au