Ad Age has it’s 2005 Interactive Media & Marketing Awards announcements up for all to read (after the free registration, that is). The Big Winners are:

There’s an article for each of them on the Ad Age website. I’ve only read the first one on Chrysler, but plan on at least getting around to reading about Avenue A/Razorfish. From the Chrysler write-up though, I thought this bit was worth note:

Jeff Bell, VP-Jeep and Chrysler brands, says the marketer dialed up its interactivity early for three reasons: the splintering of media, relative affordability and more measurable return on investment.

“We get 40,000 [sales] leads per month from our sites and third-party sites� that are forwarded to dealers, says Mr. Bell. He became an online video game believer after tinkering with them in early 2002 as VP-marketing for Jeep. More than 1,000 people who opted in for the free 4X4 Evo2 Wrangler Rubicon game bought the SUV. “We just really think about experimenting with new ideas,� he says. “If they don’t work, we’re not embarrassed.�

I wonder when we’ll see a line item for “Best Virtual World Marketing Campaign”? I’m waiting.