THE SOCIAL MEDIA AZ AWARDS, OR SMAZZIES!

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The SMAZZIES are given out twice a year to local individuals and organizations that exemplify some part of the rapidly evolving world that is Social Media.

The SMAZZIES are a recognition, not a competition. We are looking for originality and creativity, and a way to give a salute to those doing something worthwhile. Here’s how the SMAZZIES work:

• Must Follow – The blog, twitter, or online presence you can’t get enough of
• Business That Gets It – Non-industry company (not a social media/marketing entity) who demonstrates creative and proficient use of social media
• Most Social Use Of Social Media – Best/most innovative use of technology to connect to people in person
• Trailblazer – Out there doing cutting edge things, changing the way people work or think in the social media space
• Up and Coming – Most notable freelance individual or agency that is notably improving its offering
• Homegrown Can Of Awesome – Most interesting / promising start up business, technology or tool from right here in AZ

And our Finalists are:

• Must Follow – The blog, twitter, or online presence you can’t get enough of

• Arizona Highway Patrol Association
• CenPho.com
• WeBuildYourSocialMedia
• Museum Association of Arizona

• Business That Gets It – Non-industry company (not a social media/marketing entity) who demonstrates creative and proficient use of social media

• The Farm at South Mountain
• Eric Neitzel
• Lumension
• KOLD News 13
• Liberty Market
• Mesa Historical Museum

• Most Social Use Of Social Media – Best/most innovative use of technology to connect to people in person

• The Heard Museum
• Rustler’s Rooste
• Katie Fox
• Liberty Market

• Trailblazer – Out there doing cutting edge things, changing the way people work or think in the social media space

• Kevin Gawthrope
• Jessica Northey
• Bulbstorm
• Barbara Daniels

• Up and Coming – Most notable freelance individual or agency that is notably improving its offering

• Cesar Gamez
• Blue Sky Interactive Group, LLC
• Ashley Oakes
• Villageous LLC

• Homegrown Can Of Awesome – Most interesting / promising start up business, technology or tool from right here in AZ

• Phoenix Zoo
• Twestival Phoenix
• The-Penny-Pinchers.com
• Eric Neitzel
• Bulbstorm
• Michael Tucker

A panel of judges will anonymously cast a vote for the winner, Academy Award style,  in each category.  Honorees will be announced as part of the next SMAZ event on September 9th, 2010. For more information on the SMAZZIE process, check our FAQ.

And please spread the word! The more nominations we get, the better able we will be to showcase the amazing work going on in the Valley!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the process for the SMAZZIES?
1. The categories are currently listed online for open nominations until July 18, 2010. You can nominate any person (freelance) or group (business entity) you think should be recognized. If you have ideas for categories for next time, let us know!
2. When voting closes the SMAZZIE team, Fred von Graf (Web3Mavens, LLC.), Jennifer Maggiore (Maggiore Consulting & Marketing), Jeff Moriarty (Sitewire), will review the nominations and identify the finalists in each category.
3. The finalists for each category will be announced on July 1, 2010, and voting opens up for Community Choice among the finalists in each category. This allows everyone to cast their vote for their favorite.
4. The Panel of Judges will review the finalists and cast their vote in secret.  This is much like the Academy Awards model.
5. At the next Social Media AZ (SMAZ) conference September 9th, 2010, the judges’ Winners and Community Choice selections will be announced in each category!

Ah, sort of like the way the Academy Awards does it?
Yes, sort of. We want a balance of community and peer recognition, best chosen anonymously by a number of experts across social media, business and marketing verticals.

Who are the judges?
The Panel of Judges is formed from local social media professionals across the Valley of the Sun. They are still being identified and contacted, but will be announced when the finalists are announced.

Who is on the SMAZZIE team?
Fred von Graf (Web3Mavens, LLC.), Jennifer Maggiore (Maggiore Consulting & Marketing), Jeff Moriarty (Sitewire)

Have an idea for a category?
We would love to hear it! We are trying to find creative categories that avoid the “Best Of” format.  If you have an idea, sent it to us at SMAZZIES@SocialMediaAZ.org

How is someone nominated?
Nominations were open to the public, and any person or organization is eligible.

How are finalists chosen?
Finalists are chosen by the SMAZZIE team after reviewing all the nominations. The main criteria are how often people were nominated, and what background examples were provided.

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