2026 NOVA Award ResultsAMA Iowa is proud to announce the award winners in each of the following categories:BRANDINGRecognizes 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 - K. Johnson Studio | Erixon Equipment 2nd Place - Meyocks | Reintroducing Meyocks 3rd Place - Fareway Stores, Inc. | Fareway Kitchen DATA ANALYTICSRecognizes 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. DEIRecognizes outstanding achievements in the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within marketing campaigns. Whether through innovative messaging, inclusive representation, or impactful community engagement, this category is for the marketing initiatives that created a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive marketing landscape.
DIGITAL MARKETINGRecognizes 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. DIRECT MARKETINGRecognizes 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. EVENT MARKETINGRecognizes the role of events (conference, trade show, workshop, customer program or member program) in meeting marketing goals. INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGNRecognizes a continuum in a marketing campaign. Entries should include a complete strategy utilizing at least three motifs in a marketing tactic. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONSRecognizes 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. MARKETING RESEARCHRecognizes 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 - Meyocks | Farm Credit East: Navigating Transformational Change2nd Place - ARAG Legal Insurance | Estate Planning Navigator - Product Development Research 3rd Place - On Point Strategies | Banker's Trust Next Generation Initiative NON-PROFIT MARKETINGRecognizes 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. SOCIAL MEDIARecognizes 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 - Fareway Stores, Inc. | National Wellness Month Influencer Campaign VIDEORecognizes 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. WEBSITERecognizes innovative use of the web, including website development and design, app development, landing pages, killer SEO, etc. — from strategy to execution.Best of Category - Running Robots | Blu Track Website Design 2nd Place - ACK Marketing | Lely Used Equipment Website 3rd Place - Meyocks | Reintroducing Meyocks small businessRecognizing marketing efforts by those doing it all or with a very small team that creates marketing ideas that drive awareness, engagement, and/or growth. Entries may include any type of marketing format (branding, digital, social, etc.) but the business must have less than 75 employees total. Marketing agencies are not eligible to submit in this category.
AGENCY OF THE YEARWhat 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! MARKETER OF THE YEARWhich 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. Emily Bowman, Iowa State University Ivy College of Business MARKETING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEARDo 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. Alicia Chilton, Greater Des Moines Partnership MARKETING DEPARTMENT OF THE YEARDo 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. Des Moines University Medicine and Health Science Marketing and Communications Department PEOPLE’S CHOICEFareway Stores, Inc. - Closed on Sunday, Open for Life AMA IOWA SPONSORS OF THE YEARLessing-Flynn Fareway Stores, Inc.
AMA Iowa appreciates all 2026 sponsors and Iowa companies who submitted a marketing campaign. More details about the NOVA Awards can be found here. |