Awards

The Direct Marketing Club of New York honored the giants of direct marketing this week at the DMCNY's Silver Apple Awards at New York's Hudson Theater. The cocktail reception burst at the seams in the art-deco theater lobby; current honorees rubbed shoulders alongside a number of past honorees, many of whom were in attendance. Gawkers like me simply took it all in. I've covered direct marketing now for a dozen years, so I enjoyed seeing the mix of past and present movers and shakers and speaking with some of them.

Shelly Lazarus, chairwoman of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, became the latest industry luminary to be inducted into the Direct Marketing Association's Hall of Fame. Lazarus was honored by the association on October 20 at its annual conference in San Diego. It is the second time the group has honored Lazarus. DMA named her Woman of the Year in 2002.

The Direct Marketing Club of New York (DMCNY) has named its 2009 Silver Apple Awards winners. The Silver Apple Awards honor leaders in the direct and interactive marketing industry who have at least 25 years' experience, have shown a commitment to volunteerism and who have made significant contributions to the growth of the industry.

Nestle's Kit Kat took home the Media Grand Prix, the top media award, at the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, for its edible direct mail product. JWT Tokyo developed the "Kit Kat Mail" campaign, which featured a small, mailable three-dimensional box with a Kit Kat bar enclosed. It is sold exclusively at 20,000 post office outlets in Japan. It also marks the first time Japan Post postal service has partnered with a marketer.