Recognizing Marketing’s Finest
FORTY-TWO INDIVIDUAL MARKETING EFFORTS EARN AWARDS IN OUR 2021 CONTEST
Judging for tED magazine’s 2021 Best of the Best Marketing Awards Competition took place in late April. Over the course of a week, our four judges weighed the entries submitted for the contest’s 11 categories. Ultimately, 42 entries were determined winners, with two companies—OneSource Distributors and ABB Electrification—taking home the honor of Best of the Best Overall Distributor and Best of the Best Overall Supplier, respectively. Here we present all of this year’s winning submissions, highlighting a different category each week.
EVENT /
Distributor $101M-$400M
Van Meter Inc.
TRANSFORM: A Leadership Webinar Series
In December 2019 Van Meter partnered with Rockwell Automation to plan an in-person TRANSFORM event designed to help customers understand how to optimize and modernize their businesses by leveraging automation solutions through existing product they already had or by implementing new enhancements. Three months into planning, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the event shifted
to an 11-week virtual format that presented bite-sized information to help reduce Zoom fatigue.
FROM THE JUDGES: “Not only were the webinars great, but also there was an impressive amount of marketing created to drive people to them. It ticked all the boxes.”
Distributor More Than $700M
McNaughton-McKay
Connected Machine Workshop
McNaughton-McKay partnered with HMS to offer a one-day Connected Machine workshop that featured an interactive, synchronous, and hands-on learning experience that afforded students the ability to learn about remote connectivity for their automation equipment. Using their Ewon Flexy 205 IIoT Starter Kit, included in the price of the workshop, students were able to utilize the equipment for hands-on class participation and, afterwards, utilize the same equipment in their actual workplace applications.
FROM THE JUDGES: “A really well-planned event. Great marketing for an online, yet hands-on, workshop. So thorough from beginning to end—and with great results.”
Supplier Less Than $250M
Universal Lighting Technologies
Safe Return to Buildings
Universal Lighting Technologies joined with its location-based software partner to host a webinar to educate customers on the benefits of unlocking enabled lighting with the objective of driving lead generation opportunities for the sales team. A joint presentation was developed and marketed with a landing registration page, an invitation, emails, a LinkedIn campaign, and more. The event was recorded and the sales team was provided a list of attendees for follow-up virtual visits.
FROM THE JUDGES: “This was a very well-executed event with great metrics. It recognized a contemporary need and addressed it by leveraging unique expertise.”
Supplier More Than $250M
ABB Electrification
Construction Solutions Showcase
After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled live events, ABB Electrification created a virtual event designed to provide an informative and interactive experience, similar to what an attendee might have at an in-person tradeshow. The live-action version of an actual tradeshow booth was created inside a recording studio, complete with on-camera hosts. Registered attendees—who could customize their experience by choosing in-studio hosted tours or navigate via an interactive show map—had 24/7 access for 30
days and the ability to submit questions and ideas.
FROM THE JUDGES: “An effective use of video. Great information without fluff…and we loved the blooper reel!”
EVENT – Honorable Mention
Rexel Energy Solutions
WFH Webinar Series
OneSource Distributors
Safety Solutions Campaign
Light Efficient Design
Pro Workshop Webinar Series
Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems
Spring Training Virtual Training Solutions
Tagged with Best of the Best, marketing