Influitive Recognizes Innovative B2B Marketing Campaigns at the First Annual Best Advocate Marketing Awards

TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Influitive, the advocate marketing experts, today announced the inaugural winners of the Best Advocate Marketing Awards, who were honored last night at an exclusive awards ceremony in San Francisco. The Best Advocate Marketing Awards, also known as The BAMMIES, recognize B2B companies that capture the enthusiasm of their customers, partners and fans, and turn it into a powerful force for igniting business growth.

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"The BAMMIES recognize visionary marketers and celebrate their incredible success in adapting to the stark new reality of B2B sales - that buyers just don't want to be 'sold.' They are instead making decisions based on the advice and recommendation of their peers," says Influitive founder and CEO Mark Organ.

"The 2013 BAMMIES winners and runners up have transformed their marketing and sales initiatives to meet these challenges by connecting buyers directly to their biggest fans, advocates and evangelists. We are inspired by their leadership and powerful programs."

A panel of judges selected nine companies and individuals as winners, while the winner of the Advocate Marketing Program of the Year category was determined by popular vote from among 23 nominees. The public voting at www.influitive.com/bammies was held in early January and drew more than 12,000 votes.

The 2013 Best Advocate Marketing Awards winners and runners up are:

Best Referral Program Award
In recognition of a company that made referrals a predictable engine of revenue growth built on a foundation of advocacy.
Winner: Act-On Software
Runner up: ReadyTalk

Best Content and Social Engagement Award
In recognition of a company that has significantly increased the reach and effectiveness of social media or content marketing campaigns through the active participation of advocates.
Winner: Cisco Systems
Runner up: inContact

Best Use of Advocates at an Event Award
In recognition of a company that mobilized their advocates to transform the standard B2B event, such as a conference or user group, into an extraordinary gathering of enthusiasts.
Winner: ServiceNow
Runner up: AirWatch

Above and Beyond Advocacy Award
In recognition of a single customer who demonstrated an amazing level of advocacy that delivered serious benefits for a company they work with.
Winner: David May, Director of Contact Center at Schumacher Group, advocating for inContact
Runner up: Stacey Platt, Teacher at G.W. Krieger Elementary School in the Poughkeepsie City School District, advocating for SMART Technologies

Best Product Review Campaign Award
In recognition of a company that demonstrated a sustained, effective campaign to gather genuine product/company reviews, recommendations and endorsements from their advocates.
Winner: DocuSign
Runner up: Quorum

Advocates Unite! Award
In recognition of a company that catalyzed the greatest amount of advocacy momentum in support of their business goals.
Winner: ReadyTalk
Runner up: SMART Technologies

Best Advocate Experience Award
In recognition of a company that created a special experience for customers and other advocates, strengthening advocate relationships, increasing loyalty and boosting engagement.
Winner: Oracle Eloqua
Runner up: Xactly

Big BAM Business Impact Award
In recognition of a company that generated the greatest results from advocacy in areas such as: improvements in brand perception, traffic, conversion, leads, opportunities, pipeline acceleration and revenue.
Winner: Ceridian

Advocate Marketer of the Year
In recognition of a marketer who served as an agent of change in their organization, rallying others to embrace the power of advocate marketing and bring it to life.
Winner: Liz Richardson, Social Media Manager at Bomgar
Runner up: Bo Bandy, Marketing Communications and PR Manager at ReadyTalk

Advocate Marketing Program of the Year
In recognition of the best overall advocate marketing strategy, tactics and results, as decided by public voting.
Winner: Bomgar
Runner up: SMART Technologies

Influitive celebrated the 2013 BAMMIES winners during a formal dinner and awards ceremony at San Francisco's Foreign Cinema on January 16, 2014.

About The BAMMIES
The Best Advocate Marketing Awards (BAMMIES for short) are designed recognize the amazing achievements that are being made by forward-thinking B2B marketing leaders who put fans, advocates and evangelists at the heart of their marketing programs. Held annually, the BAMMIES showcase the most innovative and effective advocate marketing campaigns happening now, and serve as a source of inspiration for all who work in the ever-changing world of B2B marketing.  The BAMMIES are produced by Influitive, the advocate marketing experts. For more information about The BAMMIES, visit www.influitive.com/bammies.

About Influitive
Influitive, the advocate marketing experts, is based in Toronto with offices in Palo Alto and Boston. Today's buyers are increasingly leveraging their peers' opinions and Influitive helps marketers tap into this force with its innovative AdvocateHub platform and Maven mobile app.  By capturing the enthusiasm of their best customers, followers and evangelists, marketers gain direct support for their sales and marketing programs. From social media reviews and customer referrals to case studies and references, passionate advocate help support all stages of the buying cycle. Influitive's customers include some of most successful and fastest-growing business-to-business software and technology firms in the world. To learn how to get your advocates working with you, please visit www.influitive.com.

SOURCE Influitive