CitNOW is inviting the automotive industry to enter its annual video awards.

Now in its third year, the CitNOW Video Awards celebrates automotive brands and industry professionals who have continued embracing video to grow transparency and trust over the past year.

The CitNOW Video Awards covers eight categories this year including a new award for the ‘best management commitment’, celebrating the best video created by a manager as part of the initial academy training process.

Entries for this year’s awards have already broken previous records, with more than 600 received so far.

Entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including AM digital manager and associate editor Jeremy Bennett, alongside CitNOW founder Andrew Howells.

The awards ceremony will take place at the home of the film industry, BAFTA, on London’s Piccadilly London on July 12.

To enter the awards entrants must be working for a retailer that currently uses CitNOW video technology.

Any video that is entered has to have been filmed between the June 14, 2016 and May 8, 2017, and submitted to CitNOW no later than the end of May 8.

The eight categories for this year’s CitNOW Awards, are as follows:

-          Best CitNOW Workshop Video

The best CitNOW created by a workshop technician as part of the aftersales process, using the CitNOW Workshop app

-          Best CitNOW Sales Video

The best CitNOW created by a member of the sales team within a vehicle retailer, using the CitNOW Sales app

-          Best CitNOW Bodyshop Video

The best CitNOW created by a member of the assessment team within a bodyshop, using the CitNOW Bodyshop app.

-          Best CitNOW Web Video

The best CitNOW created by a member of the sales team using the CitNOW Web app.

-          Best Overseas CitNOW Video

The best CitNOW created by a retailer, workshop or bodyshop located outside of the UK.

-          Most Creative Use of CitNOW Video

The most creative use of CitNOW in order to improve the customer service process.

-          Best Management Commitment CitNOW (new for 2017)

The best CitNOW created by a manager as part of the Academy training process.

-          Best Overall CitNOW Video

The best CitNOW of 2017 from all the entries submitted.

Sinclair Volkswagen Cardiff took the best overall video prize last year, with a winning video which creatively demonstrated adaptive cruise control for a customer.

Budding entrants can use CitNOW’s top video do’s and don’ts for inspiration to be in with the best chance of winning an award.

Alistair Horsburgh, CitNOW chief executive, said: “The success of last year’s CitNOW Video Awards was indicative of the growing importance of video, and this year we are looking to recognise those who use it proficiently and creatively for the benefit of consumers and the automotive industry alike.  

“The focus on quality continues to shine through, and we are anticipating a very high standard this year.”

For more information on how to enter please visit www.citnowawards.com. CitNOW will also be posting all awards-related updates on Twitter at @citnow. 

> CitNOW previous awards winners and examples of dealer best practice videos