Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Recognize fully developed, multi-channel marketing campaigns executed by a Financial Institution that deliver a unified message across multiple paid and owned channels.

Eligible campaigns should demonstrate a cohesive, omni-channel approach integrating creative assets such as video, digital display, out-of-home, email, social, and supporting digital experiences (e.g., landing pages, microsites, or conversion paths). Entries should clearly show how channels worked together to reinforce messaging, amplify impact, and drive measurable results.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What was the objective and target audience?
• What insight or idea drove the campaign?
• How was the core concept executed across channels?
• Which channels were used and what role did they play?
• How did the campaign guide customers from awareness to action?
• What results were achieved and how did they align with goals?
• What makes this campaign stand out in financial services marketing?

Requirements: Include representative examples of all major campaign components (e.g., video, digital ads, out-of-home, email, landing pages or microsites). Supporting links should be included where applicable

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Highlight a radio campaign that effectively captured attention and delivered results.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What was the primary objective of the campaign, and who was your target audience?
• What was the core message or insight that shaped the creative concept?
• How did format (e.g., :15, :30, :60) influence your approach to scripting and storytelling?
• How did the tone, script, and production to make the ad stand out?
• Where and how was the ad distributed (stations, timing, frequency, and any supporting channels)?
• What outcomes did the campaign achieve? (e.g., reach, frequency, traffic, inquiries) and/or qualitative
indicators (e.g., customer feedback, brand recognition, internal observations).
• What made this campaign particularly effective or unique?

Requirements: Include at least one audio file or live link. Multiple versions are welcome

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Showcase a campaign leveraging out-of-home channels such as billboards, transit, events, or experiential activations. This may also include guerilla marketing efforts that creatively engage audiences in physical spaces.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What was the primary objective of the campaign, and who was your target audience?
• Which out-of-home elements were included (billboards, transit, events, etc.), and how were they selected? How did the creative capture attention and communicate quickly?
• How did the creative approach capture attention quickly and communicate your message clearly?
• How were different placements or formats connected to create a cohesive campaign?
• What outcomes did the campaign deliver? Please include any measurable results (e.g., impressions, traffic lift, engagement) and/or qualitative indicators (e.g., community visibility, anecdotal feedback, brand recall).
• How did location, timing, or audience behavior influence your strategy?

Requirements: Include photos, mockups, or in-market examples representing the campaign.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Recognize excellence in website design, user experience, and functionality, whether through a full redesign or meaningful enhancements. NOTE: for micro-sites and landing pages, please refer to Integrated Marketing category.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What prompted the website update or redesign, and what goals were you aiming to achieve?
• How did you approach user experience and navigation to better serve your audiences?
• What key design elements or features are you most proud of, and why?
• How does the website reflect your brand and differentiate you from competitors?
• What outcomes have you seen since launch? Please include any measurable improvements (e.g., traffic, time on site, conversions, SEO performance) and/or qualitative indicators (e.g., user feedback, internal efficiency, improved customer experience).
• How did you incorporate accessibility, mobile optimization, or future scalability into the design?

Requirements: Include a live website link. Before-and-after visuals are strongly encouraged for redesigns.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Highlight marketing materials and experiences designed to engage customers within the branch environment. This may include posters, point-of-sale signage, displays, handouts, or in-branch activations that enhance the customer experience.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What was the objective of the in-branch marketing effort?
• What types of materials or activations were developed?
• How did the creative approach align with your brand and connect with customers?
• How did these elements enhance the in-branch experience?
• What results or impact did this effort achieve?

Requirements: Include photos or examples of materials in use within the branch

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Recognize excellence in the design, renovation, or development of a branch location, with a focus on customer experience, functionality, and brand integration.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What prompted the redesign, renovation, or new branch development?
• What aspects of the branch were altered or redesigned? (Before-and-after visuals are encouraged.)
• How did customer needs, behaviors, or technology influence the design?
• What brand elements did you use that provided the most impact?
• In your opinion, what specific changes elevated your customers’ in-branch experience?
Requirements: Include photos of the space. Before-and-after visuals are strongly encouraged where applicable.

NEW, REALIGNMENT, OR REBRAND

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Did you recently introduce a new brand, realign your brand, or rebrand your financial institution or a particular product? Share the process you used, what it involved, as well as the results. Include examples of the changes.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• How did you establish a new brand, realignment, or re-brand was needed?
• What were the goals of the new brand strategy?
• How did you choose the branding elements you used?
• How did you measure success against your goals?

Requirements: Include representative visuals of materials or activations.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Demonstrate how your organization built meaningful connections within the community through outreach, partnerships, or experiential efforts.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• How has this campaign engaged the community?
• What types of touchpoints or activities were implemented?
• What was the overall impact, both financially and socially?
• How did this effort strengthen your organization’s brand and relationships?

Requirements: Include examples, visuals, or supporting materials that demonstrate community impact.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Share your most impactful paid digital advertising campaign of the year.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What assets were used?
• How did the campaign connect with the intended audience?
• Include who was targeted, where the campaign ran and for how long, what results you received, and what the creative assets looked like.

Requirements: Include examples of ads and performance metrics where possible.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Social media has become an essential tool for financial institutions to connect with, inform, and engage their customers/members and the broader community. Share with us the social media effort, like a standalone video or social post series, that had the greatest impact for your organization.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What platforms were used?
• What were the goals?
• Who was the target audience?
• What were the results? Consider including reach, comments, and shares

Requirements: Include links or examples of posts and performance highlights.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Showcase an email campaign that effectively captured attention, delivered value, and drove engagement
or conversions.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What was the objective and target audience?
• How were messaging and design tailored to resonate with recipients?
• What segmentation or personalization strategies were used?
• What results were achieved (e.g., open rates, click-through rates, conversions)?
• What made this campaign stand out?

Requirements: Include sample emails and performance metrics where available.

Subdivision: In-House vs Agency
Show us your best print ad or collateral – such as a direct mail piece, print ad, flyer, or annual report. Tell us why this print piece resonated with your intended audience.

In your submission, consider addressing:

• What type of print piece was used?
• How did it resonate with the intended audience?
• What was the impact of your print piece? Include metrics if applicable.

Requirements: Include high-quality images or PDFs of the print materials. If part of a larger campaign, include representative examples.

Only the highest-scoring GOLD award winners across all categories will be showcased as finalists, representing the very best of the NEFFIES. Entry into the Fan Favorite competition is automatic, adding to the surprise reveal of finalists at the NEFFIES award show.

At the awards show, the audience will have the power to select their favorite campaign – LIVE. The winner will be revealed in real time, making it a thrilling and unforgettable moment of the evening.

This is a unique opportunity for top campaigns to shine, for the audience to celebrate creativity and impact, and for the NEFMA community to honor the work that truly stands out.