Who should apply?
The Award is open to any MR agency that can genuinely claim to have had an exceptional year and that operates within a recognised self-regulatory research framework (MRS Company Partner, employs members of MRS or other equivalent associations outside the UK).
What will the judges be looking for?
- strong financial performance
- research innovation
- proven business-driven results
- strong sense of the agency’s brand values
- clear evidence that the agency has moved forward over the last 12 months
In particular, the judges will look for evidence of:
- client list growth
- client retention
- added value services to clients
- staff retention/development
- research innovation
Hints from the judging panel
Don’t be over modest. If you’ve done well, shout about it. The figures might speak for themselves but what have they meant for your business? How has strong financial performance impacted on the other parts of your business – staff development, R&D, adding value to clients? What have you done to champion the industry – are you an active ambassador for MR?
How to apply
A valid entry will comprise:
- one copy of the submission document
- one copy of the entry form
- a high resolution copy of your company logo (in jpg format)
Entries should be sent to researchawards@mrs.org.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 31 July 2012.
Submission format
Basis of submission: 500 words (max) Statement supporting your case plus specific additional information.
Your Statement should:- emphasise the agency’s achievements in the twelve months running up to 1 July 2012.
- provide evidence of client list growth, client retention, staff retention and development.
- include, where possible, examples of how you have made a real difference to your clients’ businesses or, in the case of social research, had a major impact on the way an organisation operates or communicates.
In addition to your Statement you should specify:
- date of incorporation
- numbers employed (split between executive and support staff)
- fees and profit data for two years (where possible)
- your key clients – you may also include up to three short ( 100 words max) client anecdotes
Only electronic applications in the required format will be considered for this award.
- Download and complete the Word submission document and entry forms – these two forms will constitute your award application. The document must include the title of the project and the name(s) of the author(s) as they should be published, the 200 word summary and 1,500 word synopsis.
- Charts/illustrations can be included within the body of the paper, but do not contribute to the word count.
- Your submission will be judged on the merits of the summary/paper alone – no appendices or additional material will be considered.
- You must send a high resolution version of your company logo, or two logos if the project is an agency/client partnership, in print quality jpg format (about 300dpi) to be used for publicity purposes if your entry is shortlisted for an award.
- The submission document, entry form and company logo should be sent as attachments to the same email with the subject line Best Agency Over £20million Award Entry 2012 or Best Agency Under £20million Award Entry 2012.
Rules of entry – Best Agency
- To enter for this award, the agency must participate in a recognised self-regulatory research framework (MRS Company Partner, employ members of MRS or other equivalent association outside the UK).
- You must nominate a primary contact on your Entry Form who will take overall responsibility for the entry.
- The primary contact must ensure that permission to enter the Awards is obtained from all parties involved including any clients or suppliers.
- Entries must not overtly ‘sell’ any organisation. Company logos are acceptable.
- The judges’ decisions are final. The Panel will not enter into correspondence about why an entry is not selected as a finalist.
- By entering the Awards, you grant MRS and our media partners permission to publish your submission to promote our awards schemes and excellence in market research. If your submission contains sensitive information, you should clearly state this and may be asked to provide a redacted version for publishing. This is a condition of entry.
- Entries must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 31 July 2012 to qualify. No extensions will be granted.
There is an entry fee for this award:
MRS Member/Company Partner
£500 + VAT (£600 ) for first entry
£250 + VAT (£300 ) for each additional entry, in any category
Non-Member
£750 + VAT (£900 ) for first entry
£250 + VAT (£300 ) for each additional entry, in any category
You will be invoiced once your entry has been processed. Failure to pay by 01 September 2012 will cancel your application.Best Agency over £20million
Best Agency under £20million
One ticket to the Awards Dinner in December will be allocated per shortlisted entry. Additional tickets can be purchased nearer the time at the standard advertised price.
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