New look for Microsoft ad awards

Microsoft’s digital advertising awards scheme has been rebranded as the Mouse Awards, with a visual identity by Johnson Banks.

Previously named the Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions Creative Awards, the scheme is designed to champion creativity and celebrate innovation in digital marketing.

Johnson Banks developed the new name in collaboration with branding consultancy brand guardians. The logo features a mouse shape beneath the word ‘mouse’, using the letter ‘o’ as the creature’s ear. Pink and grey has been used because ‘these are the colours you immediately think of when you picture a mouse’, says Johnson Banks partner Michael Johnson.

‘It worked out that people weren’t entering the awards scheme and we want to encourage them to enter, as there are a lot of people doing digital advertising,’ adds Johnson. ‘We had this idea to incorporate the symbol into the words and this worked well. It was an old-fashioned brief, with a simple solution.’

Creative and media agencies from across Europe can submit their campaign work from the past 12 months until 10 March.

The awards will be judged on three key criteria: creativity, innovation and strategic approach in five categories: charity and NGO, consumer goods (FMCG), financial services, media and entertainment, telecoms and transport and travel.

Winners will receive a cash prize for their design group and be entered into the 2008 Cannes Cyber Lions Awards, also sponsored by Microsoft.