2018 STAR Awards Categories

Efforts that educate, inform, serve and/or communicate with advisors and other intermediaries in the following categories:

Newsletter: Printed and electronic newsletters or magazines

Advisor Website: Primary advisor websites

Thought Leadership/White Papers: Focused on industry trends, products, investment themes, etc. that educates, informs and provides advisors and other intermediaries with practice management insights.

Digital Education: Content and tools for advisors such as videos, digital presentations, blogs, apps, professional accreditation, etc.

Experiential Education: Educational efforts that involve direct interaction with advisors such as seminars, live webinars, investor shows, group presentations, etc.

Integrated Campaign: Campaigns targeted to advisors utilizing multiple components such as printed pieces, digital touchpoints, social media efforts, advertising, promotional items, etc.

Analytics Driven Campaign: Advisor campaigns with targets, messaging, call to action and insights driven by data and analytics.

Wild Card: Special education, communications and marketing efforts that do not fit other categories – be creative!

Efforts that educate, inform, serve and/or communicate with plan participants and plan sponsors in the following categories:

Newsletter: Printed and electronic newsletters or magazines

Ongoing Education: Efforts that reinforce prior investment education efforts and encourages increased participation and savings among plan participants

Thought Leadership/White Papers: Focused on industry trends or investment themes that educate, inform and assist with the fiduciary responsibilities of plan sponsors, plan administrators and investment committees

Digital Education: Content and tools such as calculators, interactive worksheets, videos, digital presentations, blogs, apps, etc.

Experiential Education: Educational efforts that involve direct interaction with investors and plan participants such as seminars, live webinars, group presentations, etc.

Integrated Campaign: Campaigns targeted to plan participants or sponsors utilizing multiple components such as printed pieces, digital touchpoints, social media efforts, advertising, promotional items, etc.

Wild Card: Special education, communications and marketing efforts that do not fit other categories – be creative!

The STAR Awards’ most prestigious awards honor companies that meet the highest standards in education, marketing communications, community support and diversity and inclusion.

Education Campaign: Recognizes a campaign with the primary focus to educate on an investment product, concept, philosophy, etc.

Education Award: Recognizes a firm with strong overall commitment to investment management education through client communications, employee education, education programs and initiatives, community support, etc.

Community Investment: This prestigious award is designed to recognize an investment management firm for its outstanding community service contributions such as special programs, partnerships, in-kind support of goods and services, employee volunteerism or other activities that have resulted in a positive impact on a community, an organization or its citizens. Judges will consider all entries for their impact, success in meeting program objectives, creativity, corporate commitment, employee participation, and other key elements.

Inclusion & Diversity Award: This new distinguished award will recognize the firm that exemplifies and promotes diversity and inclusion in the investment management industry raising awareness of the value a diverse workforce and inclusive environment brings to a firm.

Overall Communications Awards recognize a firm for outstanding integrated and consistent efforts in design, messaging, brand, education and digital throughout their marketing communications strategy. Awards are presented for:

Overall Communications — Retail
Overall Communications — Advisor
Overall Communications — Retirement