The 2008 ECHO Awards are categorized, judged, and presented by Primary Business Categories.

Determine the Primary Business Category
that Best Fits Your Entry
The creative elements of your campaign or program can only be entered in the competition once. Please choose the business category that most accurately describes the product or service. The ECHO Committee reserves the right to reassign entries to proper categories as necessary.

Choose from ONE of these 12 business categories:
Automotive: Programs designed to generate automotive dealer traffic, promote brand/model loyalty, and/or market new or used vehicle sales or leasing, parts or accessories. Includes programs developed by automobile manufacturers and marketing organizations, fleet operators, leasing companies, dealer groups or individual dealerships.

Business and Consumer Services: Programs to market non-product offerings. This includes home and office maintenance, employee recruitment, postal/delivery services, government programs, professional services and educational programs. Does not include financial, travel, communications or health-related services.

Communications/Utilities: Programs initiated by communications or utility companies, such as telecommunications carriers, electric or gas power companies, satellite or cable TV franchise operators or Internet and broadband service providers to generate sales, inquiries or support; increase/maintain share; or increase distribution for their products and services.

Financial Products and Services: Programs to market banking, securities, investments, loans, real estate, credit cards or other financial products or services.

Information Technologies: Programs to market computer hardware, software, accessories, services, and/or upgrades, including educational programs sponsored by companies that market IT products. Does not include electronic entertainment (gaming) products.

Insurance: Programs that support the marketing of insurance products and services to consumers or businesses. Includes agent support programs, health benefits/maintenance plans, and third-party insurance offers.

Not-for-Profit: Programs generated by a not-for-profit organization, such as charitable foundations, cultural institutions, trade associations or political/advocacy groups. Includes fundraising, public health and safety, public service and educational programs.

Pharmaceutical/Healthcare: Programs created by pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers such as hospitals and clinics, government-run health initiatives and manufacturers of health-related items to promote products and services that benefit the general health. Does not include fundraising efforts for hospitals and health-related causes or professional recruitment efforts.

Product Manufacturing and Distribution: Programs initiated by manufacturers or their non-retailing intermediaries to generate sales, inquiries or support; enhance brand loyalty; increase/maintain market share or expand distribution channels for their products. This includes packaged goods offerings such as food/grocery products, beverages, personal care products (not pharmaceuticals or medications), industrial products and cleaning suppliers. Does not include automotive, telecom, computer and technology manufacturers or distributors.

Publishing/Entertainment: Programs to generate single sales or subscriptions for printed or electronic publications like books, magazines, newsletters, e-newsletters, periodicals or websites; drive ticket sales or traffic for films or theatrical events; stimulate viewer ship of television programming; promote electronic games and software; or stimulate contest entries or lottery participation.

Retail and Direct Sales: Programs created by retail establishments or non-retail enterprises to generate traffic, inquiries, sales or loyalty, or to enhance employee relations. Includes businesses such as department stores, specialty shops, equipment dealers, auto parts stores (but not auto dealerships), restaurants, health clubs/spas/grooming establishments, catalogers, mail order companies, continuity plans, video or music clubs, membership programs and buying clubs. Includes online and TV shopping enterprises.

Travel & Hospitality/Transportation: Programs to generate inquiries, sales or traffic for marketers of travel and transportation services, such as airlines, hotels, car rental firms, mass transit systems, tourism boards, cultural attractions, sports/entertainment venues, and timeshares/vacation properties. Does not include programs from automobile manufacturers, dealers or fleet operators.