Is confidence returning to the direct marketing sector? The UK DMA believes so.

Organisers of the 2009 Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Awards report that, ahead of the entry deadline next week, 35 per cent of companies which have signed up for the awards programme are first-time entrants and overall pre-registrations are up by more than 30 per cent.

Mike Colling, chairman of the awards organising committee, says this is a clear indication of increasing confidence: “In many ways, this year is very different to last year. We’ve not only seen the number of companies submitting work leap, but also the number of entries to the awards. This is a clear endorsement of the value that agencies and clients see in the DMA Awards programme. Clients recognise the breadth of skill of DMA award winners which, in turn, inevitably results in business growth.”

To encompass the breadth of the industry, direct marketers compete in 35 categories, which include two new digital categories – best use of social media or viral and best use of search, natural and paid-for.

The awards are once again sponsored by Royal Mail. Agencies and brands have until September 11 to submit their entries, to be judged in October by 200 senior professionals. For more information, visit: www.dmaawards.org.uk

The winners will be announced at presentation ball to be held at Old Billingsgate in the City of London on December 9.