Fallout 3 dominates MI6 marketing awards

Critical acclaim is a swell bullet point for the back of a box, but, really, who bases their buying decisions on what the so-called "experts" have to say? Let's face it, we buy certain games because they're staring us down every which way we turn -- on the internet, on the TV, on the frickin' subway -- and because, well, sometimes we're just suckers for the ol' "Chotchkie" Editions. And, while we might curse the thought of marketing (and our powerlessness against it), the MI6 Awards celebrates this integral component of the game industry machine.

So, just this once, let's all give a hand to the brilliant minds that so craftily offered us many, many valuable opportunities to ride their hype waves all the way to the checkout last year. View the complete list of awards and "Gold Winners" (no euphemism necessary, huh?) after the break.
2009 MI6 Awards Competition Gold Winners:

Most Effective Buzz Creation -- Casual Gaming
Guitar Hero Tour Buzz Promotional Kit
Midnight Oil Creative / LAgraphico

Overall POP Display (Single or Campaign)
Gears of Wars 2
Origin LLC

Most Clickable Website for a Product -- Casual Gaming
Ben10 Alien Force Game Creator
Cartoon Network New Media

Best Limited Edition or Collectors Edition Packaging -- Overall
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collectors Edition
Hamagami/Carroll

Most Effective Viral Marketing/Promotion
EndWar Parrot Video
Eyestorm Productions

Most Effective PR Campaign
Maddenpalooza
Electronic Arts

Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad
Fable II "Destiny"
Microsoft Xbox

Thinking Outside of the Box Award -- Marketing
Gears of War 2 "COG Tags"
Microsoft Xbox

Best Chotchkie
Gears of War 2 "COG Tags"
Microsoft Xbox

Best Limited Edition or Collectors Promotion Campaign
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc

Outstanding Overall Marketing Campaign
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Launch Campaign
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc

Outstanding Promotional Trailer
Fallout 3 Teaser Trailer
Bethesda Softworks

Best Limited Edition or Collectors Promotion
Fallout 3 Collector's Edition
Bethesda Softworks

Standout Print Campaign
Fallout 3 DC Metro Takeover
AKQA

Best Online Advertising Campaign
Fallout 3 Online Advertising Campaign
AKQA

Sharpest Pen Award -- Best Copywriting/Print
Fallout 3 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide
AKQA

Best Wrapping -- Product Packaging
Shaun White Snowboarding Packaging
Ignition Print for Ubisoft

Standout Print Advertisement
F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin OXM 8-page Gatefold
Liquid Advertising

Most Effective Viral Marketing/Promotion
Bike Hero
Droga5

Sharpest Eye Award -- Best Directing
Fallout 3 "E3 Trailer"
Bethesda Softworks & The Ant Farm

Best Use of Music
Fallout 3 "E3 Trailer"
Bethesda Softworks & The Ant Farm

Note: Download MI6 document (PDF) for complete list of Gold & Silver winners.