The second annual US Search Awards, being held in association with Pubcon again this year, takes place on Wednesday, October 8th at the Treasure Island Resort in Las Vegas.
I went to the inaugural awards show last year (also during Pubcon Vegas). Along with everyone else attending, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Personally I love dressing up on the odd occasion, but our industry as a whole is rather casual. How would folks react to a formal event?
And while the organizers seemed perfectly capable, it was unclear how exactly the event itself would manifest. Would it end up a cheesy adult prom?
I formulated an escape plan, just in case. If it turned out to be lousy, I would pretend to go to the ladies room and then quietly make a break for it.
So how did it turn out?
I stayed to the end. I loved it. Here’s why.
For a while now, we’ve been hearing a drumbeat that doesn’t seem to go away. A drumbeat that attempts to predict the direction that search marketing is headed in– as a career, as a discipline, as an industry.
We’re seeing agencies, platforms and publications shifting their branding strategy to reflect “a more holistic approach” to marketing.
And on the regular, there’s always a new article, hangout or social thread discussing variations on “Is SEO dead? Long live SEO!“
The US Search Awards is a night where no one is asking if SEO is dead. This is a night when we’re surrounded by others who get us, and appreciate what it takes to make it in our industry.
This is one night that celebrates us: this is OUR night.
Jim Boykin and Marty Weintraub NOT talking about whether SEO is deadAnd by the way: the event and the program were delightful. It was just a lovely industry party with friends and colleagues, all living in the moment.
I have one extra ticket. Want to come with?
My crew being silly at last year’s US Search AwardsCome with SEJ to the 2014 US Search Awards
We’re giving away one ticket to the US Search Awards, a $250 value. The night includes dinner, entertainment and open bar.
If you want to be entered to win, here’s what to do:
1) “Like” our SEJ Facebook Page:
2) Then do one of the following:
- Retweet this post or
- Leave us a comment below, saying “I want in!”
We will choose one winner on Wednesday, October 1.
Please note that the ticket does not include travel nor hotel accommodation.
US Search Awards Judges
Phil MacKechnie, Head of Organic Performance, TravelSuperMarket.com
Michael Bonfils, President, SEM International
David Szetela, CEO, FMB Media
Anne Kennedy, Managing Partner, Beyond Ink
Shari Thurow, Founder, Omni Marketing Interactive
Chris Boggs, CMO, Internet Marketing Ninjas & Global Chair, SEMPO
Marty Weintraub, Founder & Evangelist of aimClear
Mel Carson, Majestic SEO‘s US Brand Ambassador & Founder, Delightful Communications
Kelsey Jones, Managing Editor, Search Engine Journal
Andy Betts, Global Marketing and Content VP Consultant
Lisa Williams, Director Digital Marketing Strategy, Search Discovery
Loren Baker, Co-Founder, Foundation Digital
Cindy Krum, CEO, MobileMoxie
Melissa Fach, Owner SEO Aware, Moz – Associate on Community Team, AuthorityLabs – Community Manager
Ash Buckles, Global SEO Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group
Eli Schwartz, Online Marketing Manager, SurveyMonkey
Brett Tabke, CEO, Pubcon
Richard Gregory, Managing Director, Latitude Group
Pete Young, Board Director, Mediacom I-Lab
Martin MacDonald, Head of SEO at Orbitz Worldwide
Rob Ousbey, COO at Distilled
Mike Grehan, CMO & Managing Director, Acronym
Judith Lewis, Founder and CEO deCabbit Consulting
Jennifer Slegg, Founder & Editor of The SEM Post
US Search Awards 2014 Shortlist of Finalists
BEST USE OF SEARCH – RETAIL
Cardinal Web Solutions & Classroom Essentials Online
Cuker – Trex SEO Strategy
Make It Rain US & NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto – US Website Migration + Ecommerce SEO Campaign
Point It – Microsoft Store Global Expansion
Rockfish & Corner Bakery Cafe – CornerBakeryCafe.com
The Absolut Company – AbsolutDrinks.com SEO
TopSpot Internet Marketing – Air Filters, Inc E-Commerce Strategy
Walgreens’ Successful Enhanced Campaigns Migration
BEST USE OF SEARCH – FINANCE
97th Floor – Major Payoff
Covario & Bank of America – Improving Search Engine Visibility in an Agile Development Environment
Cardinal Web Solutions- PrimeRevenue SEO Campaign
Catalyst & HSBC RBWM Mortgage SEM Campaign
Catalyst – Driving Valuable Online Actions With HSBC Global Connections
Havas Media/CFP Board: Integrated Strategy for Improved Search
Mannix Marketing – Inbound Marketing Campaign for Acquisition & Funding Services (AFS)
World First & Periscopix; Replicating UK success in the USA
BEST USE OF SEARCH – TRAVEL / LEISURE
360i & Norwegian Cruise Line – Plundering the Caribbean SERP
Havas Media – Leveraging Technology to Beat Inflation
RKG & JetBlue – Efficiently Increasing Getaways Volume
BEST LOCAL CAMPAIGN
1SEO.com – Creating A Local Campaign For The Solid Wood Cabinet Company
97th Floor – The Coolest Companies To Work For
Kenshoo and Deluxe/OrangeSoda Drive Success to Florida Car Dealership
Overit expands partnership with Catseye to launch them in Naples, Florida
RankHammer – Park Place Site Rebuild
RKG & Bealls Florida – Increasing Market Share by Effectively Capturing Local Demand
Walker Sands Digital Increases Search Traffic by 558% for Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage
Webspec Design – Strauss Security Solutions SEO Campaign
BEST LOW BUDGET CAMPAIGN
1SEO.com and Tents & Events – Making The Best Low Budget Campaign
Webspec Design – Baratta’s Restaurant & Catering SEO Campaign
Webspec Design – Strauss Security Solutions SEO Campaign
BEST USE OF PR IN A SEARCH CAMPAIGN
There is no shortlist for this category the winner will be announced on the evening
BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN A SEARCH CAMPAIGN
1SEO.com’s Social Media Challenge!
Christina Baldassarre & Zebra Advertisement Integrating Facebook & AdWords for LLAMACUBA
Kenshoo, Facebook & Experian – Finding the Sweet Spot for Search and Social Investment
Kia, Adriana Lima and Futbol — Reprise Media SEO, Initiative Social & Innocean Collaboration
Medi-Dyne 2Toms Sample Giveaway – Advice Interactive Group Social Campaign
BEST INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN
Catalyst & HSBC CMB – Financing For Growth SEO Campaign
Introducing the New Maytag Man – Fully Integrated Campaign
Medi-Dyne 2Toms Sample Giveaway – Advice Interactive Group Social Campaign
Overit partners with Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America to launch MyOldMeds
Portent, Inc. & Princess Lodges – Integrated Campaign
TopSpot Internet Marketing – Air Filters, Inc Integrated Campaign
WrightIMC – TGCCCC Integrated Recruitment Campaign
Zenni Optical – Integrated Online Marketing Campaign – Managed By Wpromote
BEST MOBILE CAMPAIGN
360i & Red Roof Inn – Turning Flight Cancellations into Hotel Reservations
Charlotte Russe & RKG – Mobile Footwear Campaign
BEST PPC CAMPAIGN
Catalyst – Driving Valuable Online Actions With HSBC Global Connections
Collegis Education: Winning Through Structure – Overhauling $3 Million in Ad Spend
Covario & Intel’s PC Refresh Campaign
Nebo’s Campaigns for PGA TOUR Superstore Defy Deadlines & Exceed Goals
NoRiskSEO.com – eCommerce PPC Campaign
Point It – Microsoft Store Global Campaign Expansion
Portent, Inc. – Linode PPC Campaign
RKG & Sweetwater Sound – Capitalizing on PLAs to Drive Strong Program Growth
BEST SEO CAMPAIGN
1SEO.com & Belfor – The Path To A Successful SEO Campaign
Catalyst & HSBC CMB – Financing For Growth SEO Campaign
CFP Board – Integrated Strategy for Improved Search
Covario & Bank of America – Improving Search Engine Visibility in an Agile Development Environment
Covario & SolarCity – Improved SEO Through Successful Website Migration
National Pen SEO & Content Marketing Campaign
Portent – RealTruck.com – SEO Campaign
TradeGlobal & Puma – US Shop SEO Campaign
Walker Sands Digital Improves HWA – Search Ranking to No. 1
INNOVATION
Adobe Media Optimizer
ClearVoice
FeedPro by Rise Interactive
IntelliTraffic™ by Analytics SEO – ‘Not Provided’ Keywords are NOW Provided
LinkRisk – A suite of data intelligence tools for search marketers and brand managers
PandaRisk.com by Virante, Inc.
SpyFu — Backlink Builder
The Absolut Company & Back Azimuth Consulting – Pernod-Ricard Cocktail Discovery Journey
BEST PPC MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Adobe Media Optimizer
IgnitionOne Search Solution
Marin Software – Online Advertising Management Platform
SpyFu — AdWords Advisor
BEST SEO SOFTWARE
411 Locals – Checker
Analytics SEO – Enterprise SEO Platform
Forecheck
Linkdex – SEO Software for SEO Now
LinkRisk – A suite of data intelligence tools for search marketers and brand managers
Searchmetrics Suite– The Global Search Experience Optimization Platform
SpyFu — Ranking History
SyCara Local – Local SEO Made Easy
BEST IN-HOUSE TEAM
Adobe Search Marketing Team
AOL – GSD Audience Development Team
Macy’s.com SEO Team
BEST CONSULTANT
Todd Bailey – pushStar Digital, Founder/Editor | Gen3 Marketing, Director of Search & PR
Motoko Hunt – International Search Marketer, AJPR LLC
Josh Patrice – Director of SEO, Portent
BEST AGENCY
97th Floor
Covario
Elite SEM
Fathom: A Digital Marketing & Analytics Agency
Nebo
RKG, A Merkle Company
TopSpot Internet Marketing
Walker Sands Digital
YOUNG SEARCH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Rocco Alberto Baldassarre – CEO, Zebra Advertisement
Janae DeRusso – Branding & Content Manager at Overit.com,
Katie Donabedian – Digital Marketing Specialist, Walker Sands Digital
Jacob Frick – Search Supervisor, Havas Media
Keenen Kindred-Siro – Account Coordinator, Obility
Sean McEntee – Account Lead, 3Q Digital
Josh Moody – Enterprise Digital Marketer, 97th Floor
Rachel Morgan – Sr. SEO Manager, Advice Interactive Group
US SEARCH PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
There is no shortlist for this category the winner will be announced on the evening
GRAND PRIX
There is no shortlist for this category the winner will be announced on the evening
The night includes a 3-course dinner, entertainment and open bar.
Tickets are $250 each or a table for 10 is $2,250.
Use code Sej10 for a 10% discount.
Giveaway Update
10/2/14: The lucky winner of our extra awards ticket is Shannon Steffen of Excira Media.
Congrats to Shannon, see you at the show!
