Digital Journal Group and CMG win prestigious thought leadership award 

CMG’s Marketing Communication Manager and ACCELERATE Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Coleman and Digital Journal Group President and Founder, Chris Hogg. — Photo by Jennifer Friesen

After months of deliberation, the B2B Marketing Elevation Awards today announced the winners of the best marketing initiatives in the U.S., awarding gold to Digital Journal Group (DJG) and Computer Modelling Group (CMG) in the thought leadership category for their collaboration on ACCELERATE.

ACCELERATE is an editorial platform designed to make complex technical discussions about energy transition more accessible to senior energy sector leaders. The initiative featured thought leadership from energy leaders, data scientists, technologists, policymakers, startups, and engineers.

The B2B Marketing Elevation Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in U.S. B2B marketing by recognizing companies that push creative boundaries in thought leadership, content marketing, and demand generation.

Judged by senior marketing leaders from global brands like Intel, Salesforce, and KPMG, the awards highlight strategies that drive real business impact and showcase how B2B initiatives can match the creativity often seen in B2C marketing.

“Exceptional entry,” said Amanda Thompson, Director of Segment Marketing at Pax8 and one of 44 judges for the B2B Marketing Elevation Awards. “Well thought out in body and story, with a strong demonstration of effective thought leadership strategy, creative ideation, execution and ROI.”

This award underscores how Digital Journal Group and CMG leveraged thought leadership to educate and engage audiences, demonstrating its power in driving business impact and enhancing content marketing strategies.

ACCELERATE’s unique approach to thought leadership set a new standard for how highly technical content can be made accessible to a broader audience, making it stand out in the highly competitive field.

“At Digital Journal Group, we see content marketing as more than just storytelling—it’s about using journalistic approaches to capture and share complex insights in a way that resonates with diverse audiences,” said Digital Journal Group President and Founder, Chris Hogg. “With ACCELERATE, we aimed to turn highly technical discussions into accessible narratives that engage business leaders, fostering a deeper understanding of energy transition challenges and opportunities.”

Energy transition is a complex, unprecedented challenge that involves engineering-heavy concepts and strict regulations and policies that continue to evolve in the journey to net zero. ACCELERATE addressed this by sharing insights, best practices, and success stories to bridge the gap between technical expertise and executive decision-making. The platform’s strategy centered on unsiloing industry knowledge and offering a clear narrative that C-suite leaders could engage with, thus positioning CMG as a thought leader in the space.

By simplifying dense subject matter, ACCELERATE kept decision-makers informed about critical industry trends and innovations. It also expanded CMG’s reach through roundtables with global energy leaders, live event coverage, and media syndication, quickly becoming a key content marketing platform that drove engagement and demand.

“In an industry that is growing and transitioning at the same time, thought leadership is invaluable for guiding conversations that drive the energy transition,” said CMG’s Marketing Communication Manager and ACCELERATE Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Coleman. “ACCELERATE allowed us to share expert knowledge in a way that connected with decision-makers, ensuring that technical innovation translated into strategic value for the companies navigating this global shift.”

In B2B marketing, thought leadership is a key strategy for standing out and adding value. 

According to a study by LinkedIn and Edelman, 78% of decision-makers believe thought leadership content directly influences their purchasing decisions. Additionally, 83% of B2B buyers engage with thought leadership content at least once a month, and 72% of executives prefer working with companies that consistently produce high-quality thought leadership content.

“The value of ACCELERATE lay in combining CMG’s industry insight with perspectives from other leaders, creating a platform that offered real value to decision-makers and strengthened our brand positioning,” said Coleman. “Instead of focusing on promoting products, we aimed to create a platform for sharing knowledge that benefited the entire industry. This approach not only built brand awareness but also became a powerful lead generation tool by building trust and offering real value to decision-makers navigating the complexities of energy transition.”

For more information on the thought leadership award and ACCELERATE, visit the Elevation Awards 2024 Winner’s Report.