In an exclusive for [a]list daily, Game Connection organizers have revealed nominees for their first-ever Marketing Awards.

Coming from an event best known for pairing independent game developers with publishing partners, Game Connection’s inaugural awards show is keeping to its roots. Major publishers, big game IP and a couple of global marketing agencies will vie for wins alongside indies and unknowns in PR and marketing categories. One winner will be chosen from among all finalists as the ‘Best Videogame Marketing Team 2012’.

A few things stood out when Game Connection announced the awards earlier this year. The contest can fill the gap left open now that PromaxBDA’s Mi6 Game Marketing Awards are on hiatus. Unlike Mi6, Game Connection’s awards don’t have hefty submission fees that can discourage cash-strapped game makers. They’re also focused on about a half dozen key categories. For anyone familiar with agency-centric awards, it’s instantly apparent this isn’t the place to get recognition for every department, format and execution known to ad men.

Game Connection also revealed advisory board members behind the first Marketing Awards. Senior executives from EA, Namco Bandai, Innogames, Ubisoft, Wargaming and Eurogamer were among those who helped get the effort off the ground.

Winners for the Game Connection Marketing Awards will be announced at Game Connection Europe 2012 with the ceremony starting at 4:40pm on November 28th at Porte de Versailles Expo in Paris. Those interested in attending can contact marketing manager Giulia Palmieri.

 

The nominees are as follows:

 

Best Digital Campaign

• 4T2 Multimedia – branded advergame for Hero Factory (Lego)

• NC SOFT / Target Media – branded online campaign for Guild Wars 2 (NC SOFT)

• MediaMonks – online game for House of Anubis (Nickelodeon)

 

Best Experiential Marketing

• GOG.com – booth design and execution at Penny Arcade Expo Prime 2011 (GOG.com)

• TBWA\Brussels – train station football stadium for PS Vita (Sony Computer Entertainment)

• Ideactif – European bus tour for Rocksmith (Ubisoft)

 

Best Mobile Campaign

• Crispin Porter + Bogusky – “Autodance” smartphone app for Just Dance 3 (Ubisoft)

• Panache PR – global PR campaign for Smash Cops (Hutch Games)

• Fishlabs Entertainment – “Sports Car Challenge” mobile app (Volkswagen Group China)

 

Best PR Campaign

• Wargaming.net – western Europe campaign for World of Warplanes (Wargaming.net)

• Bethesda – France campaign for Dishonored (Bethesda)

• Marchsreiter Communications – GSA campaign for Dark Souls (Namco Bandai Partners)

 

Best Print Campaign

• CD Projekt RED – EU and NA campaign for The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360 (CD Projekt RED)

• NC SOFT – European campaign for Guild Wars 2 (NC SOFT)

• Bethesda – France campaign for Dishonored (Bethesda)

 

Best Broadcast Campaign

• ichi – “Enter the Metro” global online trailer for Metro: Last Light (THQ)

• Sid Lee Paris – “Rise” European trailer for Assassin’s Creed 3 (Ubisoft)

• [a]list games – EU and NA launch trailer for APB Reloaded (GamersFirst)

 

Best Social Media Strategy

• neoco – European graffiti campaign for Borderlands 2 (2K Games)

• Amplitude Studios – US, EMEA, Russia community campaign for Endless Space / GAMES2GETHER (Amplitude Studios)

• CD Projekt RED – EU and NA campaign for The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360 (CD Projekt RED)