Three new categories for digital awards in 2019

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Digital Association’s (MDA) d Awards 2019 will see the introduction of three new categories that will underline the industry’s progressive trajectory in 2018.

The new categories – Best Tech Developer, Best Digital Publisher and Best Digital Innovation for Probono Work – are to appreciate talent and brands that embrace and use technologies, said d Awards 2019 organising chairman Eileen Ooi.

“The new categories are also unique in that it allows for all digital players – be they agencies, marketers, publishers, technologists or developers – to participate on a level playing field and come together as equals to win,” she said in a statement.

The Best Tech Developer awards the best and most innovative use of technology in the development landscape and the Best Digital Innovation for Pro-bono Work sup- ports pro-bono campaigns by recognising the innovative or ancillary usage of available digital technology to deliver significant impact to brand, product or services.

Best Digital Publisher, meanwhile, honours “game-changing” publisher for its stand-out execution of strategy to impact growth not only for its own business but also clients, partners and the Malaysian digital industry as a whole.

“Marketing today is very much digital-centric as our world collapses to debunk the myth of offline versus online,” said Ooi, who is also PHD Malaysia’s managing director.

“The d Awards stand to recognise the best of talents, publishers, technology players and the tremendously great work that Malaysia is producing in the space of digital marketing,” she said.

Last year, the d Awards attracted 136 entries and 34 agencies and publishers, with over 400 stakeholders and supporters of the industry joining hands in celebrating its winners.

As a testament to MDA’s vision of fuelling the digital industry in Malaysia and produce the next generations of digital champions, d Awards has now opened up entry for Digital Person of the Year to cover all ages, she added.

The entry fee for this category is also waived. The d Awards 2019 – which will again bring industry leaders together to honour the best innovative works in designing and execution of digital marketing campaigns and the talent behind them – also marks a significant milestone.

Campaigns that were executed in Malaysia between Jan 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2018 are entitled for submission. The early bird and extended submission deadlines are set for Dec 21, 2018 and Jan 11, 2019 before 3pm respectively. Rules, entry kit and other details are available on www.d-awards.com.my.