The award was founded last year in memory of John Young, the former WWAV Rapp Collins Edinburgh managing director who died prematurely aged 38. Initially it was for Scottish direct marketers, but DMA Scotland has now opened it up to the whole UK.
The award will be presented to the most outstanding talent in direct marketing, aged under 30, from an agency, supplier or client company across digital, direct, interactive or mobile marketing. Entrance costs 拢30, with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK.
Following nominations, judges will draw up a shortlist of four finalists, who will be invited to Edinburgh for an interview. The award will then be presented on November 17 at the DMA Scotland Ball.
A viral email is being sent to the DMA's 5,500-plus members to promote the award, in the hope of generating more than 100 nominations. It has been created by Edinburgh-based DM agency Story and can be watched .
During his career as a direct marketer, John Young ran Wunderman in Amsterdam, was joint managing director of Claydon Heeley in London, and set up CHJM's Asian operation out of Beijing, before returning to Scotland to head up WWAV Rapp Collins in Edinburgh.
David Metcalfe, chairman of DMA Scotland, said: "This prestigious award is a brilliant way of recognising the wealth of young talent present in the direct marketing industry and is such a fitting tribute to John. He was a great champion of the values, drive and professionalism that we are looking to celebrate.
"Last year's response from Scotland was fantastic and we're now hoping to build on this by opening up the award to the whole of the UK to reflect John's UK-wide experience."
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