MPA Debuts America's Favorite Magazine Ad

April 14, 2009

MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS OF AMERICA INTRODUCES
“AMERICA’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE AD”

28-Year-Old Kelly Awards Open to Consumer Voting for the First Time

NEW YORK, NY (April 14, 2009) — The Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) Kelly Awards, which annually recognizes outstanding magazine advertising campaigns, is spinning off a new contest called “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad,” it was announced today by Ellen Oppenheim, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, MPA. “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad” will be chosen from the year’s Kelly Awards finalists, as determined via online voting by the general public.  This marks the first time in 28 years that consumer participation has been incorporated into the Kelly Awards.

“In this age of consumer empowerment, where interactivity is considered one of the highest forms engagement, we felt it was the perfect time to debut a ‘people’s choice’ component to the Kelly Awards,” said Ms. Oppenheim. “Multiple research studies show that readers value magazine ads as part of magazine content, so we created an award that reflects this unique relationship. In addition, ‘America’s Favorite Magazine Ad’ expands the audience for the year’s top magazine ads while giving consumers a fun experience,” said Ms. Oppenheim.

Online voting will be conducted on the “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad” website, www.mag-ads.com, beginning today through May 29. The contest features the 27 finalist campaigns of this year’s Kelly Awards, as chosen by an expert panel of senior-level magazine advertising clients and creative directors from leading advertising agencies.  The winner of “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad” as well as the winners of the 28th Annual Kelly Awards will be announced concurrently in June.

“America’s Favorite Magazine Ad” will be promoted in consumer magazines’ print and online editions.  To date, more than two dozen magazine brands have committed to run ads promoting the contest.  The “Share This” feature allows users to spread the word about the contest via dozens of social networking avenues and blog networks, including Facebook™, Twitter, Technorati and Reddit.

The website for “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad” was developed by New York-based digital agency visual mercenary group. Facebook™ is a sponsor of “America’s Favorite Magazine Ad.”