Some 200 judges took three days to judge the hundreds of entries in the 30 categories, deciding which entries had achieved success in each of the three areas of the judging criteria - strategy, creativity and results.

Lin McCarthy, DMA Awards Committee Chair said, "We were very pleased with the level of entries this year, which has increased by 20% from last year."

"The Awards are here to showcase the best direct marketing in the UK and the quantity and quality of entries this year shows confidence is not only returning but running high in the dm industry."

Sir Martin Sorrell commented: "The DMA Awards are terribly important because they position the industry as a major force.

If you look at all the industry data both sides of the Atlantic, it demonstrates that the direct industry is becoming more and more important, not just in its classical forms, like mail, but in its new forms like the internet and interactive areas. A lot of clients are willing to experiment in the direct area to a degree that they haven't historically, maybe driven by the rising cost of television but also driven by the rise in new technology."

Royal Mail continue to be the major sponsor of the Awards and the DMA would also like to thank the International Direct Marketing Fair and ClairtyBlue for being Associate Sponsors. Category sponsorship was also received from UK DATA IT, Inc Direct, HP Digital Publishing Solutions, QAS and Fair Isaac. The list of finalists is attached but can also be viewed on the DMA Awards website at www.dmaawards.org.uk. The Presentation Ball will be held on Tuesday 7 December at Grosvenor House and tickets for this event are now on sale. To purchase tickets please contact Janet Attwater on 020 7291 3343 or email: janet@dma.org.uk

For further information about The DMA Awards in association with Royal Mail please visit www.dmaawards.org.uk or contact:

Justine Storey & Veronique Attas
The Media Foundry
Tel : 0207 792 1942 / 020 7792 0185
Email : justinestorey@themediafoundry.com or veroniqueattas@themediafoundry.com

OR

Liz Bastone
DMA PR Manager
Tel: 020 7291 3315
Email: liz@dma.org.uk