The Strategic Mail Performance (SMP) Awards are back for another year, spotlighting the ingenuity, creativity and exceptional results achieved across the mailing and multichannel marketing sector.
If you are a mailing house, printer, print manager or agency, then you are eligible to enter 2025’s awards scheme for free. The winners will be announced at an evening full of fun, laughter, networking and entertainment on Thursday, 25th September at The Steel Yard, London.
The deadline for entries is August 22nd, 2025 – so head on over to the following link to make your submission: bit.ly/smpawards25
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by top UK comedian Hal Cruttenden, known for Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, and his Radio 4 sitcom Hal. With his characteristic sharp wit and ability to keep his audience captivated, he is the perfect entertainer for a night of industry celebration.
Recognising brilliance
Backed by a diverse judging panel of respected industry professionals, the awards are free to enter and open to all SMP members. Non-members can join for free and submit an entry via the link above. This year’s categories include:
- SMP Performance Award – rewarding outstanding campaign results and measurable ROI
- Sustainable Campaign Award – recognising excellence in environmentally responsible production and execution
- Bright Futures Award – championing young and emerging talent under the age of 30, with additional prizes provided by the DMA for the winner and three runners-up
Lucy Swanston, SMP Chair and Managing Director of Nutshell Creative
The SMP is also proud to welcome Whistl as this year’s Gold Sponsor. Whistl is one of the UK’s leading logistics partners in mail, parcels, fulfilment and door drop media – helping businesses optimise their customer communications and reach their audiences more effectively.
Laura Sanjurgo, Whistl’s Commercial Director – Mail, comments: “Whistl is delighted to be the headline sponsor of this year’s SMP awards. As the largest DSA operator in the UK, we recognise the importance of celebrating the important work of mailing houses, printers, print managers and agencies. We look forward to seeing the entries from across the industry demonstrating the power of mail.”
Investing in a bright future
Alongside celebrating standout campaigns, the Bright Futures Award will shine a light on rising stars across the sector, while also providing them with valuable development opportunities through access to courses kindly donated by the DMA. Each winner will be able to choose either a tutor-led Virtual Masterclass or a self-study online course – worth up to £549.
The Sustainable Campaign Award will once again highlight mail’s contribution to responsible marketing and encourage continuous improvement across production, logistics and delivery.
The Performance Award will honour mail campaigns that delivered exceptional return on investment, improved targeting, or introduced new levels of creativity and customer engagement.
Entries can include business mail, advertising mail, door drop or partially addressed mailings – and can be B2B or B2C focused. Examples of eligible submissions include:
- How you used JICMAIL data to support your work
- Redesigning a pack to cut costs or enhance results
- Improving ROI through smarter targeting or data use
- Integrating mail into marketing automation platforms
- Enhancing sustainability across the entire campaign lifecycle
- Boosting customer journey impact with creative execution
- Significantly raising brand awareness through mail
As part of the SMP’s drive to increase the breadth and quality of entries into this year’s Awards, it will be hosting a special webinar on July 10th at 10.00. The ‘How to Write a Winning SMP Award Entry’ session will offer practical, insight-driven advice.
Covering performance, sustainability, and young talent categories, the session will reveal what judges really look for and how to bring your achievements to life. Featuring expert guidance, real-world examples, and a live Q&A, it is a valuable opportunity to elevate the quality of your submission.
