Nice news for those who are more or less interested in advertising. According to the PRWEB, the Web Marketing Association announces the launch of its 7th annual Internet Advertising Competition (IAC) Awards. Seems that the IAC Awards are the first, and only, industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. The Competition Web site is located at IACAward.org. The Deadline for the entry is January 31, 2009.

"We created the IAC Awards to highlight the best work and creativity in online advertising, and also to help advertising professionals validate their efforts to clients and senior management," said William Rice, president of the Web Marketing Association. "During a difficult economy, clients are looking for third party confirmation that they are getting the best creative for their ad dollars. Winning awards is a great way to demonstrate your creative potential. As spending for online advertising continues to explode, it is important to make sure the ads delivered to advertisers are up to the challenge."

There is no limit for the participants. All organizations and individuals can take part. There are several criteria according to that the works will be judged. These are: creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium.

Awards will be presented following categories: within online ad (including banner, pop-up or interstitial), rich media online ad, email message, online newsletter campaign, Website and integrated ad campaign, and ads the client did not choose.

If anyone wants to take part IAC Awards will take place in February, 2009, and winners will be notified by email one week prior to the general announcement of winners in March, 2009.
According to the PRWEB, previous years competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions, and media organizations such as Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, National Cable & Telecom Association, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, and Answerthink. And the 2009 Internet Advertising Competition Awards are sponsored by Burst Media, BGT Partners, PRWeb, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Microsoft PopPhizz, Snap.com, Internet World UK, Search Engine Strategies, Webmaster Radio, Rovion and Website Magazine.

2008 Best of Show Awards were awarded in each of the online medium categories. Last year's winners are:

Smashing Ideas for Picross Evolution (Best Ads the Client Did Not Pick)
Xylem CCI for Jack Link's Warm Wishes Email (Best of Show Email Message)
Spy Publishing for Get A Room (Best of Show Email Message Campaign)
Critical Mass for SUPERVALU's Selection '07 Interactive Campaign (Best of Show Integrated ad campaign)
Texturemedia for PENTAX Photo Gallery (Best of Show Interactive Application)
McKinney for Wakey'z (Best of Show Microsite/Landing Page)
JWT INSIDE for Make a Visible Difference (Best of Show Online ad)
RDA International for NIVEA FOR MEN Up 4 Anything Dream Week Contest (Best of Show Online Campaign)
BGT Partners for FedEx LAC Sales Team Intranet Redesign (Best of Show Online Newsletter Campaign)
Mullen for Mobile Nuance Type Test Banner (Best of Show Rich Media Online Ad)
Profero for Mess With Your Mind (Best of Show Rich Media Online Campaign)

References:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1559084.htm
http://www.advertisingcompetition.org/iac/
http://www.advertisingcompetition.org/iac/winners.asp