You might not be launching a Hollywood blockbuster. But if you’re a marketer, you’re still chasing attention, credibility, and momentum—and marketing awards can help you get there.

They’re not just about prestige. Whether you’re in B2B or consumer, marketing awards offer proof—evidence that something you did worked, and that others noticed.

In Episode 10 of Misadventures in Marketing, Peter and Steve sit down with Melissa Grimshaw-Vargas, VP of Partnerships at AMA SF and founder of Launchwise, to explore the surprising strategic power of awards. Not just as feel-good trophies, but as actual brand builders. Melissa also shares the behind-the-scenes story of the relaunch of the Excellence in Marketing Awards, a revived AMA SF tradition that now includes new categories for startups and bootstrapped brands.

Awards Are Marketing — You Just Didn’t Notice

Peter lays it out early: “Awards aren’t just about the campaign. They are the campaign. They tell a story before anyone reads the case study.”

Awards validate your company in a way that’s visible, memorable, and portable. They offer shorthand proof that something you did worked—and someone else thought so, too.

Steve compares it to reference customers: “When a known customer puts their name behind you, that builds trust. When a respected organization gives you an award, it does the same thing.”

A Brief History of Getting Recognized

Melissa shares that the AMA SF Excellence in Marketing Awards go back over 40 years. With the help of board president Eric Widener and the team at Workbox, she unearthed a time capsule of legendary past winners:

• Apple (three-time Marketer of the Year)
• YouTube (Next Big Thing, 2007—just after being acquired by Google)
• Yahoo!, Levi’s, Old Navy, Wells Fargo, and KQED/NPR for introducing their audience to… podcasts (in 2006!)

These weren’t just wins. They were markers of what marketing looked like in that era—from big TV campaigns to early social experiments.

PR, Proof, and Prestige

Winning awards isn’t just about morale—though it does boost that, too. Melissa shares how awards are often useful when fundraising, recruiting, or selling: “If you’re looking for funding or acquisition, industry recognition can give you credibility that opens doors.”

Steve adds, “The best sales decks I’ve seen? They don’t just have logos. They’ve got awards. They’ve got press. They’ve got third-party proof.”

Peter takes it a step further: “Sometimes, your first award matters more than your first 50 blog posts.”

Should You Apply? Maybe. Should You Be Intentional? Definitely.

The team gets honest about the effort involved. Steve recalls a past CEO who didn’t see value in paying to license a Magic Quadrant report, even after the team worked hard to get there. “You want to make sure your leadership understands why it’s worth it—so your work doesn’t go unused.”

Melissa agrees: “Award-winning content isn’t always what drives revenue. You have to balance the investment with your goals.”

Some awards are pay-to-play. Some are merit-based. Some are popularity contests. You need to understand which is which—and what story you’re trying to tell.

The Excellence in Marketing Awards, Updated

Melissa and the AMA SF team brought back the Excellence in Marketing Awards with a new twist:

• Free to enter this year (no submission fee)
• Open to all org sizes with categories for bootstrapped campaigns, nonprofits, students, and startups
• Outdoor event on July 24—more festival than ballroom

Deadline to apply: May 29
Finalists announced: June 25
Event details: amasf.org/eima

Final Thought: Awards Aren’t Vanity—They’re Velocity

Awards create signal. They sharpen your narrative. They raise internal morale and external credibility. And sometimes, they’re just fun.

Peter says it best: “We forget that marketing is supposed to move people. Awards are one way we honor that work—and bring attention to the stories worth telling.”

🎧 Listen to Episode 10: “And the Winner Is…” to hear the full conversation, including some legendary ad campaign flashbacks, creative storytelling tricks, and Melissa’s take on what modern marketing looks like when it’s done well.

👉 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Misadventures in Marketing is a weekly podcast by the AMA San Francisco chapter. Veteran Silicon Valley marketing execs Peter Farago and Steve Haney explore the messy, rewarding, and occasionally absurd world of high-tech marketing—especially in early-stage startups. Each episode covers real-world challenges, trends, and lessons from the front lines.