Singapore, 22 June, 2006 – The second annual Singapore Media Awards (SMA) will be held on 15 September this year. Organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore (4As), the Singapore Media Awards will showcase and celebrate the importance of outstanding media thinking and strategising behind highly successful advertising campaigns.

SMA 2006 will present 16 awards including 3 special merit awards and the prestigious Grand Prix for the Best Overall Media Campaign. Single media categories include the Best Use of Television, Newspaper, Magazines, Outdoor, Radio, Online, Pan Asian Print and Pan Asian Cable & Satellite while specialist categories covers the best in Integrated Media Campaign, Strategic Launch, Experiential Marketing Campaign and Small Budget. New this year is the Young Media Person of the Year Award that seeks to honour the best and brightest young media talent. This is over and above the current Special Merit Awards that recognises media people that have excelled in their careers within the agencies and/or contributed significantly to the industry.

The judges will comprise professionals from client, agency and media owners. “Our panel of judges will look for media practices that contributed significantly to the success and results of a campaign", said Manpreet Singh, CEO of MindShare and Chairman for Singapore Media Awards 2006.

With the advent of new media platforms and measurement technologies, agencies are embracing new media in innovative ways, thus raising the standards within the industry. “We will also be looking at evidence of fresh thinking, innovation and efficiency”, added Singh.
The inaugural show last year received some 167 entries and an unexpected attendance of more than 500. This year, we have received strong support and endorsement from major industry players, amongst those that has stepped forward as sponsors include ACP, Clear Channel, CNN, Dow Jones, Hudson Global Resources, MediaCorp, Singapore Press Holdings, Starhub and Yahoo!.

About the Singapore Media Awards (SMA):
Organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore (4As), the Singapore Media Awards recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of Singapore’s media talent, innovation and success. It also demonstrates how the media and media owners play an important role in the success of a well-executed advertising campaign. For more information, visit www.sma.com.sg.

About 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Singapore)
The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore was founded in 1948. Better known as the 4As, this non-profit trade association represents advertising and marketing communications practitioners, agencies and related businesses in Singapore. The 4As works in close co-operation with other related trade associations, schools and government bodies to nurture talent and to improve the stature and prominence of the advertising and marketing communications industry. Among the key events organised and promoted by the 4As are the Singapore Creative Circle Awards or the Gong Show; the Students Creative Awards, commonly known as The Crowbars; and the Singapore Media Awards.