The First Annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers Announce Judging Chairs

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Thu, Jul 28, 2016 @ 12:31 PM

The Stevie® Awards have announced the three executives who will chair the specialized judging committees for the first annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers will honor the world’s best companies to work for and the HR achievements, teams and professionals and human resources-related products and suppliers that help to create and drive great workplaces.

Individuals and organizations worldwide—public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small—may submit nominations to the Stevie Awards for Great Employers. The final entry deadline has been extended through August 10.

Stevie Award winners in the 34 Employer of the Year categories will be determined by a unique blending of the ratings of professionals and the votes of the general public. Public voting is open now through August 10 at http://stevies-sage.secure-platform.com/a/gallery?roundId=1. 

Finalists will be announced on August 17. Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced at a gala event in New York City on September 30.

Here are this year's judging committee chairs.

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR/HR TEAM AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE:

Chair:
Brenda Gallick, Director of Team Member Success
Billhighway, Troy, Michigan, USA

SAGE_Chair_EMP_HRT.jpegBrenda is the Director of Team Member Success at Billhighway.  Her primary role is to innovate and nurture a team-oriented culture that aligns with the company’s Playbook (core values).  In addition to culture and engagement strategies, she is responsible for talent acquisition and development, as well as compensation, benefits programs, policies, and strategic performance objectives.

Founded in 1999, Billhighway provides automated dues and financial management solutions for chapter-based member organizations. Billhighway was named to Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™ list (2013-2015), a National Best and Brightest Company to Work For® (2012-2015), Crain’s Coolest Place To Work (2011, 2012, 2014), and the Detroit Free Press Top 100 Workplace (2014). 

Prior to joining Billhighway in 2010, Brenda worked in human resources and benefits consulting at Great Lakes Strategies.  Her commitment to exceptional human resource practices has allowed her to create an award winning culture with both regional and national recognition. Brenda is SPHR certified and earned an MSA in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a BBA in Human Resources from Western Michigan University. 

HR ACHIEVEMENT/HR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE

Chair:
Dr. Christina Augustine, Director HR-Global Human Resources
VirtusaPolaris Corporation, Chennai, India

SAGE_Chair_HRA_HRI.jpegDr. Christina Augustine is a proficient Global HR leader with 18 years of experience in steering HR in diverse industries and capacities including IT, Telecom, FMCG, and Health Care. She is currently Director HR-Global Human Resources at VirtusaPolaris Corporation.

Christina was honored with a national award in India, the “Indira Super Achiever” in HR Excellence; and she and her company have also received international HR accolades in The International Business Awards, The American Business Awards, the Asia Best Employer Awards, Golden Peacock Awards®, and the UK Top Employers. She is the President of Women of Virtusa, a Diversity & Inclusion initiative.

Christina earned her Ph.D. in Applied Psychology, with expertise in leading Digital HR and OD domains, from the University of Madras. She is an experienced therapist and mentor specializing in counseling and psychotherapy, and has published several scientific papers. She is a Human Resources evangelist and international keynote speaker through TV Shows, social forums, print, and other media; and her TV show, “Enna Seivadhu?” is a good family treat. 

NEW PRODUCT & SERVICE/SOLUTION PROVIDERS AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE

Chair:
Dr. Heena Bulchandani, Specialist–Training and Development
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai, United Arab Emirates

HeenaBulchandani.jpgHeena Bulchandani joined DEWA as Specialist–Training & Development in 2008 and has contributed to improving the services of her department and division, thereby achieving enhanced customer satisfaction and maintaining a positive image of the department. On the learning and development front, Heena has contributed in many ways, including customizing several training and development programs to meet DEWA’s strategic requirements.

Outside her work for DEWA, Heena is a visiting professor at such reputable educational institutions as Murdoch University Dubai and the University of Dubai. She is also a regular speaker at HR conferences around the United Arab Emirates and has published several papers on HR-related topics. Heena has been an assessor in the Dubai Human Development Awards for the past 3 years. She has also been an Assessor with Emirates Women Awards and a judge for various Stevie Awards.

Before Joining DEWA, Heena was a Human Resources Consultant and trainer in Dubai for three years; and prior to that she was the Head of HR at Bhailal Amin General Hospital at Vadodara in India. She earned her Ph.D. at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, in 2006, where she also studied Economics, Psychology, and Social Work.

Topics: great employers

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers Final Deadline Extended Through August 10

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Thu, Jul 21, 2016 @ 09:30 AM

First Annual Awards Honoring World’s Best Workplaces Continues to Accept Nominations

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world’s premier business awards, announced today that the final entry deadline for its new Stevie Awards for Great Employers has been extended to Wednesday, August 10.

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers will honor the world’s best companies to work for and the HR achievements, teams and professionals and human resources-related products and suppliers that help to create and drive great workplaces.

REVIEW THE ENTRY KIT HERE.

SAGE_Logo_C_SmallRK-4.gif“We’ve received so many requests for individual deadline extensions that we’ve decided to extend the deadline for everyone,” said Stevie Awards president Michael Gallagher. The original final deadline was July 20. Gallagher also stated that there will be no additional late fees for entries submitted through August 10, and late entries will not be penalized in the judging process.

Individuals and organizations worldwide—public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small—may submit nominations to the Stevie Awards for Great Employers. The 2016 awards will honor achievements since the beginning of 2015. Entry details are available at www.StevieAwards.com/HR.

Stevie Award winners in the 34 Employer of the Year categories will be determined by a unique blending of the ratings of professionals and the votes of the general public. Public voting is open now through August 10 at http://stevies-sage.secure-platform.com/a/gallery?roundId=1. 

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers will recognize achievement in many facets of the workplace. Categories include:

  • Employer of the Year
  • HR Achievements
  • HR Individual Awards
  • HR Team Categories
  • Solution Provider Awards
  • More than 50 New Product & Service Categories

An international judging panel of nearly 100 executives will determine the Stevie Award winners. Finalists will be announced on August 17. Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be announced at a gala event in New York City on September 30.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com

Topics: hr awards, human resources awards, new product awards, solution provider awards, great employers

Double Your Awards Opportunities in the Company of the Year Categories

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Fri, Jul 08, 2016 @ 11:56 AM

The International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, which attracts nominations from organizations in more than 60 nations and territories each year, is currently accepting entries through the extended entry deadline of Wednesday, July 13.

All individuals and organizations worldwide -- public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small -- may submit nominations to The International Business Awards.

Today we will highlight the Company/Organization Awards categories, recognizing the achievements of entire organizations. A bonus perk of entering the Company of the Year awards categories is also being included in the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies voting. 

REVIEW THE ENTRY KIT HERE.

German_Newsletter_May_2.jpgHow to Win Twice the Recognition for Your Organization

Every organization that is honored with a Gold, Silver or Bronze Stevie Award in the following Company of the Year categories (categories B01 - B34) will automatically be included in voting for the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies.  Voting will be conducted by the general public worldwide in August - September, and the winners will be honored at the IBA awards banquet in Rome, Italy in October 2016.  When the results of the IBAs' peer-conducted judging are announced in August, honorees in the Company of the Year categories will receive instructions on how to promote People's Choice voting to their own customers and stakeholders.  Note that only nominees that receive at least 100 public votes are eligible to win a People's Choice Stevie Award.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2016 competition include

a. An essay of up to 650 words describing the nominated organization's achievements since 1 January 2015

b. In bullet-list form (up to 150 words), a brief summary of up to ten (10) of the nominated organization's chief achievements since 1 January 2015

c. Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges

Company of the Year 
May be for-profit or non-profit, public or private, large or small.  New for 2016, each of these industry categories now has three sub-categories:

  • Small (≤ 50 employees and turnover ≤ €10 m / $11 million)
  • Medium-size (≤ 250 employees and turnover ≤ €50 m / $55 million)
  • Large (> 250 employees and turnover > €50 m / $55 million)

B01.    Accounting
B02.    Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations
B03.    Aerospace & Defense
B04.    Automotive & Transport Equipment
B05.    Banking
B06.    Business or Professional Services
B07.    Chemicals
B08.    Computer Hardware
B09.    Computer Software
B10.    Computer Services
B11.    Conglomerates
B12.    Consumer Products - Durables
B13.    Consumer Products - Non-Durables
B14.    Diversified Services
B15.    Electronics
B16.    Energy
B17.    Financial Services
B18.    Food & Beverage
B19.    Health Products & Services
B20.    Hospitality & Leisure
B21.    Insurance
B22.    Internet/New Media
B23.    Legal
B24.    Manufacturing
B25.    Materials & Construction
B26.    Media & Entertainment
B27.    Metals & Mining
B28.    Non-Profit or Government Organizations
B29.    Pharmaceuticals
B30.    Real Estate
B31.    Retail
B32.    Telecommunications
B33.    Transportation
B34.    Utilities

B35. Startup of the Year (for companies that began operations since 1 January 2014).  There are no entry fees for the Startup of the Year categories.
a. Business Product Industries
b. Business Service Industries
c. Consumer Product Industries
d. Consumer Service Industries

B36. Most Innovative Company of the Year (recognizing product and/or marketing, sales, manufacturing, management, etc. innovation in the past year)
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. In Mexico, Central and South America

B37. Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year (recognizing organizations' contributions to society)
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. In Mexico, Central and South America

B38. Fastest-Growing Company of the Year (recognizing outstanding revenue growth since the start of 2015 over 2014)
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. In Mexico, Central and South America

B39. Health, Safety & Environment Program of the Year  (recognizing organizations' successful implemention of policies to prevent workplace accidents and injuries, increase safety awareness, and meet the requirements of environmental and occupational health and safety laws and requirements)
a. in Asia, Australia and New Zealand
b. in Asia (China, Japan and Korea)
c. in Europe
d. in the Middle East and Africa
e. in Canada and the U.S.A.
f. In Mexico, Central and South America

B40. Energy Industry Innovation of the Year: This category recognizes singular innovations in energy-related technology, production, conservation, storage or delivery, by an organization or an individual anywhere in the world, since 1 January 2015. There is no entry fee for this category.

 

Past winners in the Company/Organization awards categories include:

Reading Room Pte Ltd, Singapore

Elixirr Partners LLP, London, United Kingdom

M-CAT Enterprises, LLC, Austin, TX USA

Geosoft, Toronto, ON Canada

Amira Nature Foods Ltd., Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hoteles City Express, Mexico City, Mexico

Today Newspaper, Seoul, South Korea

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Beraca Ingredientes Naturais S/A, São Paulo, Brazil

Monkey tie, Paris, France: Premier site de recrutement affinitaire

Coca-Cola Icecek, Istanbul, Turkey: 3.2.1 Move!

 

The winners of the 2015 People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Companies are:

  •     Banking: Odeabank AS, Istanbul, Turkey
  •     Business / Professional Services: Freelancer.com, Sydney, Australia
  •     Computer Services: ScaleFocus, Sofia, Bulgaria
  •     Computer Software: RheinBrücke IT Consulting GmbH, Cologne, Germany
  •     Energy: Bahrain National Gas Company (B.S.C.), Manama
  •     Financial Services / Insurance: USHEALTH Advisors, Grapevine, TX, USA
  •     Health / Pharmaceuticals: OptumCare Operations, Phoenix, AZ, USA
  •     Hospitality & Leisure: Creative Lodging Solutions, Lexington, KY, USA
  •     Internet / New Media: Freelancer.com, Sydney, Australia
  •     Non –Profit / Government: The National Archives (UAE) – Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  •     Transportation: Road & Transport Authority – Rail Agency, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Topics: International business awards, company awards, People's Choice Stevie Awards, best company

Atomic 212° in Sydney Wins Big at Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards with its Lucy The Robot Campaign

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Wed, Jul 06, 2016 @ 01:06 PM

Atomic 212° in Sydney, Australia, won a number of awards in the 2016 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards, including a Gold Stevie for Most Innovative Advertising or Marketing Agency of the Year in the Marketing Awards Categories, and for Innovation in the Use of Events in the Corporate Communications Awards Categories with their campaign “Lucy The Robot.”

We talked with Jason Dooris, chief executive of this young and rapidly-growing agency.

1607Atomic212.jpegAtomic 212° is an independent, technology-driven, full service marketing agency, which opened in 2014. In just two years, revenue has grown from a base of $20m to $180m. According to Jason: “We have worked hard to grow and we love what we do.”

We asked Jason about how winning the Stevie® Awards would contribute to his company’s success. His response: “We were proud to have been so successful in the Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards program with 13 gongs under our belt. These results position us as a market leader with a competitive edge.”

He added: “Winning these Awards falls within the amazing Atomic awards Hall of Fame for 2015–2016. Overall this has enabled the agency to position itself as a market leader in media, content, creative, public relations, and beyond.”

Rapid Growth

From 2014 to 2015, Atomic 212° grew its staff from 21 to 85 and opened new offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Newcastle.  At the same time, revenues increased by 1,105%.

We asked Jason how he had coped with such rapid growth.  He told us: “While our growth has been rapid, we always had strong processes in place and had positioned ourselves for rapid growth from the outset. Our targets may have been incredibly ambitious, but when we achieved them, we had the right systems and staff in place to support this expansion.”

When asked what his plans were for the future, Jason replied: “We have a number of plans for 2017 that we are currently working on … but you will have to wait and see.  Watch this space: we expect 2017 to be an even bigger year!”

Lucy The Robot - A Viral Campaign

Double Robotics, a technology company based in Burlingame, California, USA, wanted to launch their robot in Australia. A user can maneuver it from the comfort of their home or office.

The objectives were to launch the Double Telepresence Robot in the Australian and Asian markets; and to support existing North American, French, and UK activity

Context

Awareness was nil. Where normally this would be considered a disadvantage, the team at Atomic 212° decided to turn this to their advantage by tapping into the fact that customers had no preconceptions of robots. The territory of robots therefore presented a wonderful opportunity to engender the imagination and interest of customers. Budget constraints meant that something extraordinary was required.

Strategy

Atomic 212° recognized the need to create an engaging story and ignite the imagination. The robot needed personality. The agency also needed a launch platform that would cost almost nothing, providing powerful and positive value to everyone’s experience. Some would say this was asking the impossible.

The idea was to seek out and identify a positive, almost fanatical world event of such significance that the eyes of customers and media would be focused on it.  It was also necessary to give the robot personality, drive massive user-generated content, and—more importantly—drive media-generated content.

The Ideal Platform

Atomic 212° identified the launch of the iPhone 6s as the ideal platform and developed an idea adding relevance and entertainment to those fixated on the event.

The agency focused on Lucy Kelly, the girl behind the device. She was positioned as a young, energetic, innovative woman who did not want to stand in the wind and torrential rain. The humanoid robot was placed outside the George Street Apple store in Sydney to line up for the global release of the iPhone 6s. It queued for days and interacted almost constantly with Apple fanatics, the media, and people passing by.

With Sydney being the first Apple store to release the 6s globally, Lucy The Robot ended up being the first person—droid or human—to buy the iPhone 6s. The story was: Robot Buys First iPhone 6s in the World.

Support

The campaign was driven by PR, branded content marketing, and social media. A number of mainstream publications were targeted, such as news.com.au and The Australian, along with popular television programs like The Project, and well-known technology websites like Mashable.

Phase two came after the mainstream phase. The agency used the hype to target business titles and programs regarding the practical uses of the Double Robotics device in the workplace. A microsite was developed to support lead generation and sales.

Results

The result represents a new record for a genuine viral marketing campaign both in terms of speed and reach,” according to Fabiano Destri Lobo of the Global Mobile Marketing Association.

The story was covered in some 4,000 news items across print and broadcast—including The Australian, Gizmodo, BRW, Seven News, Nine News, The AFR, and Mashable. Globally, it was translated into 32 languages, reaching 123 million people in total. The estimated media value was $73.2 million.

There were 12,452 sales enquiries, which generated $44,777,392 in sales opportunities.

As an added benefit, the Apple store PR team invited the robot to be part of its own marketing effort.

The results were remarkable by both Australian and global standards and, according to the Mobile Marketing Association, set new benchmarks for viral media campaigns.

On the Cutting Edge

When we asked Jason what he most enjoyed about his work at Atomic 212°, he replied: “Where to begin? The agency is at the cutting edge crossroads of innovation and technology. When guests walk through our offices, they are blown away by the level of energy and amount of technology: robots and holograms … you name it.”

About Jason Dooris:

Jason Dooris is the CEO and Founder of Atomic 212°.  Starting his career in London in 1995, Jason’s experience is rare in that it includes media, creative, and management consulting. Over the past 20 years, Jason has held a variety of senior local and global industry positions, including CEO MediaCom UK, Deputy CEO MediaCom Europe, GM Saatchi & Saatchi NZ, GM Ogilvy & Mather Australia, GM Dentsu Australia, and Consulting Practice Director Deloitte Asia.

Jason is well known in the industry for his firm stance on transparency and integrity within the media community and he is active on the speaker circuit. Particular areas of interest include brand reinvention, the performance and accountability of media, and behavioral psychology. Jason’s strategic leadership is reflected in the depth and range of professional awards, which include 2016 Adnews Agency of the Year, B&T Agency of the Year, Interactive Agency of the Year, Gold Lion Cannes, Cyber Lions Cannes, Deloitte Tech 50 2015, BRW Fast100 2015, and many more.

Personal interests include travel, the beach, rugby, his wife Marisa, and his three lovely children.

About Atomic 212°:

Atomic 212° started out in 2007 as Atomic Search, a performance media-buying agency and data-driven search specialist. The business has since transformed into Atomic 212°.

Atomic has grown into a completely independent, full-service media agency, with competencies across media, strategy, digital, data, creative, content marketing and so much more. Atomic competencies cross media buying and strategy, data and analytics, search, content marketing, PR, creative, production, consumer insights, publishing, and more.

Atomic is the only full service business in Australia to have started out as a search specialist, and accountability and performance lie at the core of everything the agency does. It is also the largest independent communications agency in Australia, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Auckland, and San Francisco. For more information go to http://atomic212.com.au/

Topics: marketing awards, creative awards, emerging technology marketing awards, Asia-Pacific, Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, australia business awards

The International Business Awards Video Awards Categories

Posted by Maggie Gallagher on Tue, Jul 05, 2016 @ 05:14 PM

The 13th Annual International Business Awards, the world's premier business awards competition, which attracts nominations from organizations in more than 60 nations and territories each year, is currently accepting entries through July 13. This is the extended final entry deadline this year.

REVIEW THE ENTRY KIT HERE.

Stevie2016_Logo_L.jpgAll individuals and organizations worldwide -- public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small -- may submit nominations to The International Business Awards. An international judging panel of more than 200 executives will determine the Stevie Award winners. Results will be announced in mid-August. Stevie Award winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet in Rome, Italy on October 21.

Today we will highlight the Video Awards Categories. These categories recognize excellence in videos produced for a business- or work-related purpose that were first released or otherwise made public since January 1, 2015 .

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2016 competition include: 

a. An essay of up to 125 words describing the video's purpose and results to date
b. If applicable, the video itself, in the form of an attachment or a URL, which you must attach to your entry through our attachment/link uploading tool
c. Optionally, you may list creative and production credits for your work - a list of the people and organizations that contributed to its development

We prefer that you submit your video online.  However, if you will submit your video on DVD for review by the judges, you must first submit your entry information online. Then print out a copy of your entry and mail it with one (1) copy of the DVD to: The Stevie Awards, 10560 Main Street, Suite 519, Fairfax, VA 22030. U.S.A.

Q01. Branded Entertainment
Q02. Corporate Overview
Q03. Events & Webcasts
Q04. Internal/Employee Communications
Q05. Magazine Format
Q06. Meeting Modules
Q07. Motivational
Q08. Orientation
Q09. P.R.: Annual Reports
Q10. P.R.: Government
Q11. P.R.: Industrial
Q12. P.R.: Media & Entertainment
Q13. P.R.: Non-Profit Fund Raising
Q14. P.R.: Other
Q15. P.R.: Technology
Q16. Sales: Direct Response Marketing
Q17. Sales.: Government
Q18. Sales.: Industrial
Q19. Sales.: Media & Entertainment
Q20. Sales.: Other
Q21. Sales.: Technology
Q22. Sales: Product Sales
Q23. Sales: Service Sales
Q24. Security/Safety
Q25. Tourism/Travel
Q26. Training
Q27. Viral

Past Stevie Award winners in the  Video Awards cateogries include:

  • Passion Film, Mumbai, India: Shakti Bhog Brand Film- Corporate Overview
  • PayPal, San Jose, CA USA: PayPal in 90 Encourages PayPal Employees to Be the Customer- Internal/Employee Communications
  • Hyundai Heavy IndustriesCo., Ltd (HHI), Ulsan, South Korea: The World’s Leading Heavy Industries Company, HHI- P.R.: Technology
  • Vend Limited, Auckland, New Zealand: Vend Ecommerce & TopShelf Style- Sales: Technology
  • The Korea Scholarship Foundation (KOSAF), Seoul, South Korea: Kim Hung Ki Mentor Team- Training
  • BBG Production, Istanbul, Turkey: Kerem Bürsin Destroys “Buffering”!- Viral
  • …and many more!

Topics: video awards, International business awards, creative awards