The Communication Awards Competition is sponsored by the Transportation Sales & Marketing Association (TSMA) to promote effective advertising and marketing in the transportation industry. Winners are honored at a special awards luncheon during TSMA's Annual Conference.

Who can enter? The Communication Awards Competition is open to any asset-based transportation provider or organization furnishing products or services to the transportation industry. The firm does not have to be a TSMA member to participate.

What can a firm enter? A firm can enter a marketing or advertising piece if the entry has been used in the respective category (see categories) through December 31 of the preceding year. A marketing or advertising piece that won in a previous competition can be entered again if substantial changes have been made to the winning entry and the revised version was used in the preceding year.

What are the categories? There are eight (8) distinct categories. The same piece can be entered in more than one category if it is being used in each category.

Audio/Visual

Video, CD or cassette, audio or messaging, and presentations (slide or multi-media) used to promote or inform, either externally or internally. Only five minutes of each entry will be reviewed. The entry may be submitted "as is" or edited to the allotted time.

Print Advertising

The actual advertisement as it appeared in the magazine, trade journal or other publication through December 31 of the preceding year. Advertisements may be in black and white or color, as well as full or fractional page sizes.

Internal Communications

Entries (any media other than audio/visual) can be employee newsletters, publications or pieces providing information on employees or the company. Pieces used within the firm to promote a company initiative also qualify for this category.

Sales Literature

Any printed material used on sales calls, in direct mail campaigns, customer relations programs or point-of-purchase/sales. Entries include, but are not limited to, brochures, annual reports, direct mail pieces, service directories, etc.

Specialty Items

Any advertising specialty item displaying a corporate logo or tag line that is used to promote the company's image or special promotion, such as mugs, t-shirts, etc.

Calendars (Wall or Desk)

Calendars (wall or desk) displaying a corporate logo or tag line that are used to promote the company's image or special promotion. Each calendar must be entered separately, either as a wall calendar or as a desk calendar.

Web Site

Each entry should consist of the home page address, printed copy of home page and suggested hot links. The panel of judges will evaluate each entry's home page and three additional randomly selected site pages. Hot links may or may not be part of the evaluation process. The judges’ evaluation will conclude at the end of a five-minute period.

Marketing Campaign

Various elements of a marketing program work individually and collectively to produce a corporate image. At least three pieces must be submitted in the Marketing Campaign category to qualify as a “campaign.” The individual pieces must also be entered in their respective categories. For example, if the Marketing Campaign entry consists of a sales brochure, a print advertisement and a Web site, the brochure must be entered in the Sales Literature category, the advertisement in the Print Advertising category and the Web site in the Web Site category. Marketing Campaign entries submitted on more than one poster board or on a poster board exceeding the maximum size of 32” x 40” x 3/16” will not be accepted. If additional pieces would help demonstrate the campaign, they may be included, as long as the entry still meets mounting requirements.

My firm is a small company. How can we compete with a larger firm? Firm size does not guarantee effective marketing and advertising material. However, resource allocations vary between firms. TSMA's Communication Awards Competition allows organizations to compete with similar firms based on annual revenue. The annual revenue divisions are: Division A- Under $75 Million and Division B- Above $75 Million.

I am interested in entering, but I am not a TSMA member. How can I enter? Contact us by e-mail and we will send you an entry form.

How will I know if my entry has won? There are two answers to this question. First, category winners are notified by mail that they have earned recognition in the competition. Second, each entry "wins" because the judge's evaluation furnished to the entrants provides valuable insight on critical success factors of the category. The judge's written evaluation compares content, execution, and effectiveness of the entry with the stated objective. The evaluation is given to each category participant attending the Communication Awards ceremony or sent by mail if the firm is unable to attend the ceremony.