2025 NOVA Award Results

 

AMA Iowa is proud to announce the award winners in each of the following categories:

BRANDING

Recognizes clear implementation of a client’s voice in logo development, brand guidelines, messaging, persona development — even audio branding! If you were bold with branding last year, we want to see it. 

Best of Category - Lessing-Flynn | Crystal Group Rebrand and Strategic Launch
2nd Place - Continental Western Group (CWG) | Brand Messaging Refresh
3rd Place - Fareway Stores, Inc. | Fareway Frank's Seasonal Celebrations

COLLEGIATE

Recognizes submissions submitted by college students or collegiate groups. Submissions may include class projects, internship initiative, or student-led campaign. This categories celebrates the creativity, strategy, implementation, and innovation of the next generation of marketing professionals.

Best of Category - Ashley Jensen - Iowa State University Ivy College of Business | 2024 Orientation
2nd Place -  Drake University Nonprofit Consulting Club | The Marketing Strategy Redesign of the Ames Community Preschool Center

DATA ANALYTICS 

Recognizes exceptional transformation of data into actionable insights that drive leads and produce measurable results. Entries should demonstrate how data collection, analysis, and application have informed decision-making, optimized marketing performance, and contributed to business growth. Submissions may include data-drive campaigns, predictive modeling, automation strategies, performance tracking, and other analytical approaches to enhance marketing effectiveness.

Best of Category - Innovative Captive Strategies | ICS Marketing Insights Report
2nd Place - Lessing-Flynn | ProAg Cross-Channel Dashboard

DIGITAL MARKETING

Recognizes effective use of digital technologies and social platforms to reach audiences and influence and drive action. Entries can include email, ads, social platforms, blogs, podcasts and more.

Best of Category - Meyocks | RedBox RX Blog
2nd Place - B2E Data Marketing | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
3rd Place - AKC Marketing | Pivot Bio Harvest Campaign

DIRECT MARKETING

Recognizes marketing communications sent directly to prospects focused on driving a specific call-to-action. Entries can be campaigns or single initiatives. This category includes both B2B and B2C direct marketing.

Best of Category - AKC Marketing | Lely Certified Pre-Owned Direct Mail
2nd Place - UnityPoint Health-Des Moines Foundation | 2024 Year End Direct Mail
3rd Place - B2E Data Marketing | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

EVENT MARKETING

Recognizes the role of events (conference, trade show, workshop, customer program or member program) in meeting marketing goals.

Best of Category - Meyocks | Delta Dental of Illinois Land of Smiles Campaign
2nd Place - AKC Marketing | Lely World Dairy Expo T-Shirts
3rd Place - Indianola Chamber of Commerce (Experience Indianola) | Indianola RAGBRAI LI Marketing Campaign

INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Recognizes a continuum in a marketing campaign. Entries should include a complete strategy utilizing at least three motifs in a marketing tactic.

Best of Category - B2E Data Marketing | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska's Medicare Advantage Campaign
2nd Place - Meyocks | Farm Credit Services of America Cash-Back Dividends Campaign
3rd Place - UnityPoint Health-Des Moines Foundation | Mr. Blank Day

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Recognizes communications developed to support sales and/or increase awareness of a product, service or idea. Entries can include white papers, presentations, annual reports, brochures, magazines, newsletters, videos, podcasts and more.

Best of Category - Lessing-Flynn | Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health - The CORE of Dairy Innovation
2nd Place - Meyocks | Farm Credit Services of America Farmland Values Report
3rd Place -  Wellabe | Consumer e-Newsletter

MARKETING RESEARCH

Recognizes qualitative and/or quantitative research studies that have provided valuable insights to shape marketing strategies and achieve business objectives. Entries should showcase the planning, execution, and results of research initiatives. Submissions may include competitive analysis, focus groups, surveys, ethnographic studies, and other research methodologies used to better understand internal or external audiences and meet research objectives.

Best of Category - ARAG Legal Insurance | Ethnographic Conversion Research
2nd Place -  Meyocks | RedBox Rx Mental Health Research

NON-PROFIT MARKETING

Recognizes exemplary marketing programs intended to change behavior, grow membership, increase awareness, raise funds or generate support. Eligible entries include individual components or comprehensive programs which benefit 501(c)3 organizations.

Best of Category - UnityPoint Health-Des Moines Foundation | Mr. Blank Day
2nd Place - F&G | F&G 2024 United Way Campaign
3rd Place -  Iowa Pork Producers Association | Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon

SOCIAL MEDIA

Recognizes the role social media plays in all marketing efforts, this includes research, strategy, target audience and specific tactics (think influencer or boosts). How did this move the needle on your marketing efforts?

Best of Category - Meyocks | Farm Credit Services of American Area Insurance Plans Social Ad
2nd Place - Wellabe | Employee Highlights Campaign
3rd Place -  Lessing-Flynn | Kemin Industries Social Media Growth Plan

VIDEO

Recognizes cutting-edge videos that make use of eye-catching visuals, testimonials, compelling voiceover, you name it! Entries may include product videos, tutorials, case studies, commercials, 360° video and more.

Best of Category - ARAG Legal Insurance | Legal Happens
2nd Place - UnityPoint Health-Des Moines Foundation | Mayln's Video
3rd Place -  Meyocks | Iowa Pork Producers Association Purchase Moore Bacon Hamann Bacon Campaign

WEBSITE 

Recognizes innovative use of the web, including website development and design, app development, landing pages, killer SEO, etc. — from strategy to execution.

Best of Category - Vermeer Corporation | Vermeer Corporation: Redesigning Product Pages to Meet Real Customer Needs
2nd Place - ALMACO | From Broken Links to Brand Legacy
3rd Place - Lessing-Flynn | Cemen Tech Website Rebuild

 

 

AGENCY OF THE YEAR

What makes your agency the apple of your eye? Is it the kick-butt culture? The super talented staff? The award-winning work? Psh, all of the above! Nominate your agency for Agency of the Year and celebrate what makes your team the top. Open to all marketing, advertising, digital and PR agencies in Iowa. Freelancers, too!

AKC Marketing

MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Which of your marketing cohorts made their mark on the marketing scene last year? Whether they pulled off an outlandish pitch to leadership, went above and beyond on volunteering in the marketing field or traveled last-minute across the state for a client, we want to hear about it! Marketer of the Year recognizes those who do the most every single day to meet goals and make waves in the industry.

Kathleen Temple, Continental Western Group (CWG)

MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Do you want to recognize a mentor, or showcase the work of an amazing leader? The Marketing Executive of the Year should be someone who inspires, leads and achieves excellence in the field of marketing and has helped to build and transform their marketing community. Nominees should be in a director level position or above.

Michele Appelgate, Iowa State University Ivy College of Business

MARKETING DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR

Do you work in the best corporate marketing department in the state? From crafty campaigns to killer customer communications, how did your team leverage your brand this year? Tell us all about it! Open to all in-house marketing departments in Iowa.

Grandview University Marketing and Communications Department

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

ARAG Legal Insurance - Legal Happens

AMA IOWA SPONSORS OF THE YEAR

Brent Isenberger Photography

On Point Strategies 

 

AMA Iowa appreciates all 2025 sponsors and Iowa companies who submitted a marketing campaign. More details about the NOVA Awards can be found here.