PODi 2012 Best Practices in Digital Printing Award Winners Announced

PODi has announced the 2012 winners of the PODi Best Practices Awards for digital printing case studies. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding examples of digital printing, cross media and relevant direct marketing campaigns. The winners will present their campaigns and receive their awards at the AppForum digital printing and direct marketing conference www.AppForum.org January 23 – 25, 2012 at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. AppForum attendees will enjoy a detailed look at the applications and a chance to hear the inside stories

PODi accepts case studies for the Best Practices Award competition throughout the year, and entries are judged on a combination of criteria, including measured results, value proposition, functionality, scalability, relevance, creativity and innovation. The 2012 Panel of distinguished judges:

• Howie Fenton, Senior Consultant, NAPL
• Dr. John Leininger, Professor Department of Graphic Communications, Clemson University
• Cary Sherburne, journalist, author, marketing consultant, and WhatTheyThink Senior Editor
• Jim Olsen, President, Imagination Ink

Best Practices Winner: Direct Marketing Category

ScottishPower and Eclipse– "ScottishPower Welcome Programme"

Scottish Power is a major gas and electricity supplier in the UK. Their challenge? Although customers can switch suppliers in this market with ease there is a high rate of attrition in the first few months. Eclipse implemented a multi-touch-point program for new ScottishPower customers that included a personalized welcome pack and interactive PURL. This award-winning program reduced cancellations in the first two weeks by over 80% and increased customer satisfaction significantly.

"This PODi award enhances international credibility to the Eclipse approach," says Marie McShane, Head of Retention Marketing at ScottishPower. "To win this award alongside the other national awards the campaign has so far received is a fantastic recognition of the genuine ongoing success and outstanding results of this campaign and to the partnership between ScottishPower and Eclipse."

Hans van Lith, CEO of Eclipse added, "Working with open-minded and intelligent marketing driven clients such as ScottishPower, who understand the true benefit of integrated cross media and data-driven solutions is a real pleasure and a privilege. Being recognised by PODi, based on the incredible effectiveness of this campaign, is a great honour and a welcome recognition of the joint efforts between Eclipse and ScottishPower."

Honorable Mentions (tie):

• Rosemont College, Pacesetter Enterprises, and Digital Innovations Group – "Rosemont College Boosts Donor Participation with Data Analytics and Cross-Channel Relevant Marketing"
• Miami University, b+p+t Communication Solutions – "Miami University Proves Value of Relevant Marketing for Student Recruitment"

Best Practices Winner: Marketing Resource Center Category

DoubleTree by Hilton, MSP, Tray and eIntegrity – "DoubleTree by Hilton Supports Properties with Marketing Resource Center"

DoubleTree by Hilton™ comprises more than 250 hotel properties around the world. DoubleTree wanted to improve the process by which properties procured needed marketing materials. They also wished to consolidate vendors and maintain corporate control of brand image. Their strategic partners Tray and MSP built a comprehensive, single-source, web-to-print toolkit for DoubleTree's international brand. With programming assistance from eIntegrity, the robust solution was completed in less than four months. Portal users can order over 250 items including door hangers, menus, key cards, conservation cards, stationery, and vehicle signage.