Feb 25, 2020

Boston Whaler was recognized in the 2019 Neptune Awards for Marine Marketing Excellence, receiving an award in the Best Online Advertising category for a digital prospecting campaign created with its agency partner, Dino Marketing Group. Winners of the awards program, organized by the Marine Marketers of America (MMA), were presented during the Miami International Boat Show on Thursday morning.
 
“We’re honored to be recognized by the MMA for our marketing efforts,” said Jeff Vaughn, Boston Whaler Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. “This Neptune Award win reflects the considerable strategic and creative thinking that our marketing team and agency partners put forth year-round. We work hard to build awareness and consideration for our lineup of incredible boats, and it’s gratifying to have that hard work celebrated by the industry.”
 
The annual Neptune Awards, put on by the Marine Marketers of America (MMA) at the Miami International Boat Show, drew more than 150 contestants across 20 categories this year. Open to any organization producing and publishing marine industry marketing materials between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019, the awards cover all areas of marketing—from national magazine ads to social media to video.
 
“This year’s Neptune Awards competition delivered an array of thoughtful, well-executed marketing offerings across all categories,” said Sally Helme, MMA vice president and Neptune Awards co-chairperson. “It shows that innovation and creativity are alive and well in the boating marketplace.”
 
“Winning a Neptune Award communicates the highest level of marketing achievement in the boating industry,” said MMA President Wanda Kenton Smith. “This year’s field of entries represents a stellar mix of outstanding marketing initiatives launched and executed by companies large and small.”
 
Boston Whaler earned its 2019 Neptune Award for the following campaign:
 
Best Online Advertising: “Prospecting Campaign” – created by Boston Whaler and Dino Marketing Group. At the start of 2019, Boston Whaler launched an extensive paid/targeted prospecting campaign to drive new leads by building awareness and interest in the brand. Digital ads were targeted toward groups whose online behaviors suggest interest in five areas, including fishing enthusiasts and millennials. Produced in a variety of sizes and placed via Google and Facebook retargeting platforms, the online ads featured compelling lifestyle imagery, product photography and messaging. Evocative CTAs (“Dare to Compare”, “Start Your Journey”) drew viewers to a dedicated landing page, where they were encouraged to provide their information in exchange for a free download: a “Why Whaler” digital brochure that further details brand strengths.
 
All winning entries may be viewed at marinemarketersofamerica.org.