Chicago Auto Show Partners With Word Of Mouth Marketing Association For A Fifth Year To Present The 2017 Driving Engagement Award

CHICAGO, Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a fifth consecutive year, the Chicago Auto Show has partnered with Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) to present the Driving Engagement Award to an auto manufacturer with the most outstanding social media campaign of the year. The Chicago Auto Show and WOMMA are encouraging auto brands and their agencies to submit contest entries via the Chicago Auto Show's website. Following the submission deadline of Jan. 20, a WOMMA panel of judges will review the entries and select three finalists. These three finalists will then be invited to participate in the Driving Engagement Award ceremony during the Chicago Auto Show's Media Preview.

"The intent of the Driving Engagement Award is to recognize and applaud auto manufacturers for harnessing the power of social media and, over the five-year partnership, the award process and ceremony has really become a staple of the Chicago Auto Show's Social Media Preview," said Chicago Auto Show Chairman Mike McGrath. "With Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat channels, Chicago is home to the nation's most socially connected auto show and we understand and value the impact that has in terms of leveraging a massive consumer audience. Our strategic partnership with WOMMA allows us to spread the word far and wide on how automakers successfully connect with their customers on their terms."

"By acknowledging excellence in how leading automotive brands 'drive engagement' with their consumers, we aim to celebrate the most creative and effective social media and word of mouth marketing campaigns of the past year," said Executive Vice President of WOMMA Harvey Morris. "Ultimately, we wish to inspire all automotive brands to put into practice credible, ethical and effective best-in-class word of mouth marketing initiatives that engages consumers even further."

Honda won the inaugural award in 2013 for its Monsters Calling Home YouTube campaign. In 2014, Hyundai took home the award for the Walking Dead Chop Show campaign where its purpose was to expand the conversation around Hyundai vehicles with a young and passionate audience. Honda was on top again in 2015 for its campaign titled April Fools' Fit Kit which poked fun at the maker community on April Fools' Day with the first DIY vehicle people can build at home. Last year, Toyota won with its Family Trails campaign that aimed to empower families to learn together through exploration and adventure.

Social media campaigns can be submitted now via http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/media/2017-womma-award through Jan. 20. The three finalists will be notified shortly after the submission deadline, and the winning automaker will be invited to prepare a brief presentation regarding the campaign strategy and measurable success during the Driving Engagement Award ceremony during the Chicago Auto Show's Media Preview.

For more information on the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.    

About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show tin North America, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept, and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2017 public show will be Feb. 11-20. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation's largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 20,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.

About Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA)
WOMMA is the official trade association for the word of mouth and social media marketing industries. The national, not-for-profit organization is committed to developing and maintaining appropriate ethical standards for advertisers engaging in such marketing practices, identifying meaningful measurement standards for such marketing practices, and defining "best practices" for the industry.
Founded in 2004, WOMMA's membership is made up of the most innovative and creative companies committed to advancing the word of mouth marketing industry through advocacy, education, and ethics. For more information, visit http://www.womma.org.

SOURCE Chicago Auto Show

Related Links

http://www.ChicagoAutoShow.com