Celebrating The 2008 RSVP and Nexus Awards Winners

Media Release

Embargoed until 11.59pm Friday 27 February 2009

The wait is over - it’s time to celebrate the 2008 RSVP and Nexus Awards Winners

A classic black tie event with a twist – the NZ Marketing Association’s 2008 RSVP and Nexus Awards were held last night at SKYCITY, Auckland. For the many finalists, the wait is over and the celebrations have begun!

MC Mark Ferguson hosted the ceremony from a circular stage centred in the room, enabling him to interact with the audience throughout the event. With the focus on showcasing the very best of response-driven marketing campaigns, the finalists’ campaigns were displayed around the room on 52 TV screens suspended from the ceiling.

justONE took home the highly coveted RSVP Grand Prix Award, their
‘SUBCARD™ Loyalty Programme’ campaign for SUBWAY Restaurants proving to be the best of the 2008 RSVP gold winners. justONE also scooped up a gold and a bronze RSVP Award and two bronze Nexus Awards.

Once again Proximity iD took out the NEXUS Supreme Award for their hugely successful ‘Onecard Insights on Demand’ campaign for Progressive Enterprises. Jointly, they also collected 3 golds, 5 silvers and a bronze Award before the night was over.

Nicole Yeoman and Phoebe Smith from Massey University School of Visual Communications were announced the winners of The New Zealand Post Student Marketer of the Year Award. This Award honours the top tertiary marketing campaigns, giving finalists the invaluable opportunity to have their name in lights in front of a room of prospective employers.

At this truly interactive evening, TVNZ engaged the audience with a live TV quiz, the winner receiving a Sony Bravia LCD TV, while New Zealand Post presented awards for the best dressed man and best dressed woman. The best dressed winners and one lucky voter received New Zealand Post Prezzy Cards.

The virtual world of www.responseiseverything.co.nz was brought to life at the After Party, following the wrap up of the Awards ceremony. Partygoers found themselves amidst the ultimate virtual reality experience with the recreation of the Awards website lounge. After months of dancing in the online ballroom, many of the avatars met their virtual world equivalents, bringing the two worlds together.

The Marketing Association acknowledges TVNZ and New Zealand Post Mail Marketing Services as Premier Sponsors of the Awards.

A full list of winners is available at www.responseiseverything.co.nz.

Ends