The Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) has announced the shortlist for this year’s Mail Performance Awards, which celebrate mailing houses, printers, print managers and agencies that have achieved outstanding results for their clients.

Winners will be unveiled at the SMP networking and awards evening on 26  September at London’s The Steel Yard. The evening, hosted by comedian and actor Ellie Taylor, promises to be highly entertaining , with tickets available for free if you are a producer, print manager or agency via the SMP website.

With an array of experts from across the mailing industry making up the judging panel, the Awards were free to enter and open to all SMP members.

The shortlisted entrants for the SMP Mail Performance Award are: Adare SEC, Go Inspire Group, instantprint, Join the Dots, Precision Proco, RNLI in-house agency, The Dragonfly Agency, Webmart and ZAP~POST. This award is set to recognise the production of an outstanding piece of mail that has gone above and beyond a client’s expectations.

All of the mail producers shortlisted will have had to demonstrate outstanding achievements in one or more of the following areas:

  • Reduced campaign costs or improved performance by changing a pack design
  • Delivered a better ROI for the client by enhancing the use of data or targeting
  • Ensured a client could enhance their customer journey by redesigning a campaign 
  • Helped a client introduce mail into their marketing automation platforms – providing enhanced targeting, segmentation and speed to market 
  • Delivered measurable results on improving the sustainability of a mailing campaign
  • Significantly improved a client’s marketing reach and brand awareness while exceeding their campaign goals

The Bright Futures category, first introduced in 2023, aims to shine a light on emerging talent under the age of 30 in the UK print and mailing industry, and celebrates individuals who show amazing promise in any discipline and at any level.

The shortlisted entrants for the Bright Futures Award are: Ally Boldan of instantprint, Chandler Sharp of Whistl, Darryl Worbey of Webmart, Dalton Yates, Klaudia Akinis, Liam Mellor, Rebecca Holdsworth and Ryan O’Leary of Adare SEC, Isobel Arnold, Jessica Ward and Maddie Reynolds of Paragon and Molly Turner of Propack.

The Sustainable Campaign Award recognises successful projects that have reduced the environmental impacts both of the campaign, and the wider value chain. This award was also introduced in 2023, as environmental and social sustainability becomes a more critical focus for customers and other key stakeholders.

The shortlisted entrants for Sustainable Campaign Award are: Eight Group, instantprint and Webmart.

Chair of the SMP, Lucy Swanston, commented, ‘As we approach this year’s SMP annual networking and awards evening, I’m truly excited about the opportunity it brings to connect with the best in the industry. This event not only celebrates outstanding achievements, but also creates a dynamic environment for building relationships, exchanging insights, and exploring new innovations. It’s a chance for everyone to come together, share knowledge, and continue driving excellence within the mailing supply chain.’

The headline sponsor for the 2024 event is UK Mail, with the awards also supported by following sponsors: BBS, Blake Envelopes and Packaging, BOWE Group, Canon, The Encore Group, eProductivity Software, Gould Publication Papers UK, HP, JICMAIL, Konica Minolta, Paperplanes, Quadient, The Software Bureau, Sagacity, Whistl and ZAP~POST.

‘The Mail Performance Awards are a critical endeavour and UK Mail is very proud to be supporting an initiative that demonstrates the relevance of our industry’s products and services,’ commented Jon Wilkins, director of DSA Mail, UK Mail. Mr Wilkins added, ‘The entrees to the awards generate real-life case studies, which showcase how our members are putting theory into practice. They demonstrate clearly how members are achieving measurable success for their clients in areas such as improved return-on-investment, elevated consumer engagement and strengthening the sustainability of mail as a route to market. Thank you to all the SMP members that have entered this year – I very much look forward to celebrating with them on the night.’