James Cooper, creative director at digital agency Dare, and Nick Button, marketing director at Kiss FM, joined the awards committee this year and have played a key role in developing the new categories as well as reworking the existing Best Email category.
The digital categories will be open to entries from all industry sectors including B2B, B2C and charity.
The aim of the change is to ensure that the DMA Awards showcase the industry's most outstanding work in terms of strategy, creative and results across traditional and new media channels.
Cooper said: "There is a feeling among some that digital agencies are still run by jokers and skateboarders.
"The great digital agencies have matured quickly, are top table and produce thoughtful work that changes their clients' businesses. The DMA Awards are the premier awards in the industry, recognising ideas that truly work."
Kiss FM uses a range of digital platforms as well as its own broadcast platform to engage with its target audience.
Button said: "Digital is an integral part of the direct marketing mix and the DMA Awards Committee felt that it needed to open up the possibilities to allow a greater cross section of campaigns to take part."
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