ENTRIES

Overview

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• There are 3 types of entries: Tactic, Campaign, Nomination of an Individual

• Each entry should be measurable objectives and evaluation of progress against those objectives 

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Method of Entry (Tactic & Campaign)

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• Each online entry must include a two-page, single-spaced entry summary (uploaded to the application)

  • Summaries exceeding two pages will be disqualified​

  • Type size must be 10-point font or larger. Smaller type will be disqualified

• Only one entry per application

• ​​Entries will be processed and given to judges as they are received

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TACTIC ENTRIES

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• Your two-page summary should include the following five points for judges:

  • INTRODUCTION: Present a clear and concise problem statement, overview of the situation and identify your goals, objectives, strategy. Please remember objectives need to clearly state who you planned to accomplish by when

  • PLANNING AND CONTENT: Judges will consider whether research was done and whether objectives and strategies were thoughtfully considered and clearly stated. They will also determine if the medium was a proper vehicle for attaining the stated objectives. Special consideration is given to strategy and originality of approach. Budget, timeline and any applicable research should be included

  • CREATIVITY AND QUALITY: Judges will consider whether the messages were directly tied to the objectives and and if the content was substantive, understandable, consistent and appropriate for the target audience. Level of uniqueness and creativity also will be assessed

  • TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE: Judges will examine graphic or communication element that set the entry apart and the quality of production, with consideration for the project's scope and its budget 

  • EVALUATION/RESULTS: Judges will consider whether efforts, quantitative or qualitative, were made to asses the degree to which the entry met its stated objectives

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Honoring the Tactic:

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• Tactic awards, which parallel the National PRSA Bronze Anvil competition, are for a single item entry, typically oriented to a single issue. It may stand alone or be one part of an overall program
   

• Supplemental Materials:

  • Along with the application and summary, upload any supporting materials such as photographs, clips, collateral, etc. in PDF format​

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Tactic Categories:

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• Category A | Annual Reports: This may include Corporate, Non-Profit or Other traditional annual reports, a single issue of a publication treated as an annual report, a newspaper supplement or other non-traditional printed format (e.g. calendar)
   

• Category B | Internal Publications: Print and Digital Magazines, Print and Digital Newspapers or other publications issued regularly or sporadically for distribution within the "organized family." Periodicals and single issue publications will be considered
   

• Category C | External Publications: Print and Digital Magazines/Periodicals, Print and Digital Newspapers or other publications issued regularly or sporadically for distribution outside the company or organization. Periodicals and single issue publications will be considered
   

• Category D | Writing: Feature, Hard News, Speech, Column or Other writing entries will be judged solely on their excellence in writing based on the following factors: creativity, clarity, organization and originality. A two-page summary is NOT  required for this category
   

• Category E | Media Kits: May include, in PDF format, news releases, photographs, fact sheets, DVDs, CDs or other materials that have been provided to the media about an organization, event, product, service or other activity for which the practitioner hoped to gain publicity. Documentation of how well the kit is performed is helpful 
   

• Category G | Video: Produced videos to inform target audiences of an event, product, service, issue or organization. The summary should include usage statistics or other means of quantified measurement to support stated objectives
   

• Category H | Digital Communication: Use of a website or mobile application as part of a communications or content marketing program. Include screen grabs or copies of key pages to support your summary. Please include the website URL for external sites
   

• Category I | Social Media: How did you use social media to share your message and engage your audience? How did it enhance your overall plan? How did you use social media to tell a story or connect with an audience? Share screenshots or links to your work and provide results
   

• Category J | Audio Content/Podcasts: How did you tell your story? Was the purpose to teach or share? Was it intended for internal or external audiences and was there engagement on multiple platforms? Provide listener feedback
   

• Category K | Student Projects: This may include projects, campaigns and case studies completed as part of a practicum or internship. A $5 entry fee is required for student projects. Student projects will be judges against other student projects

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CAMPAIGN ENTRIES

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• Your two-page summary should include the following five points for judges:

  • INTRODUCTION: Present a clear and concise problem statement, overview of the situation and identify your goals, objectives, strategy. Please remember objectives need to clearly state who you planned to accomplish by when

  • RESEARCH: Describe the method(s) used to identify the problem or opportunity and the approaches likely to achieve desired results

  • PLANNING: Explain objectives, audiences, strategies and techniques developed to meet the objective and difficulties encountered. Originality and timeline will be considered. Advertising dollars may not exceed 20% of the budget or program

  • IMPLEMENTATION: Describe execution, materials techniques to win support, success in confronting challenges and effective use of resources

  • EVALUATION: Explain the degree to which the entry met its objectives and the fforts made to identify, analyze and quantify results 

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Honoring the Campaign:

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• Campaign awards are based upon the same judging criteria as required by the national PRSA Silver Anvil competition. The award represents a comprehensive public relations program/campaign characterized by a broad range of separate, though consistent and related, elements implemented over a period of time. A campaign can include a number of items listed in the tactics categories as well as other collateral material

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Campaign Categories:

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• Category L | Community Relations: Programs aimed at winning the cooperation of, and improving relations with, people or organizations in communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity
   

• Category M | Public Service: Program that motivate the societal good, in which the sponsoring organization's principal motivation is altruistic or philanthropic
   

• Category N | Internal Communications: Programs that improve internal efficiency through enhanced communications or programs affecting relations with employees or staff
   

• Category O | Media Relations: Programs designed to penetrate print and electronic media with the organization's message
   

• Category P | Crisis Communications: Programs that provide communities or targeted audiences with information necessary to handle the impacts of a crisis within your organization
   

• Category Q | Public Affairs/Government Relations: Programs that are designed to improve the relationships between governmental entities/contracting entities and their communities or constituencies
   

• Category R | Investor Relations: Programs specifically designed to improve relations with shareholders and the investment community
   

• Category S | Special Events and Observances: 

  • Seven days or less: Programs or events that take place in seven days or less. This timeframe does not include planning and activities related to promoting the event. Events may be commemorations, openings, observation of events, celebrations or other special events

  • Eight days or more: Programs or events that take place during eight days or longer, such as a year-long anniversary celebration or an activity with events that unfold throughout a period exceeding seven days. This timeframe does not include planning time or promotions. May involve commemorations, openings, observations of events, celebrations or other special activities​
     

• Category T | Diversity Equity and Inclusion: Efforts devoted to promoting inclusivity and/or dismantling discrimination for racial, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation and gender differences

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INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION ENTRIES

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Public Relations Professional of the Year:

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• This award honors an individual or group who, in the previous year, represented the best in public relations as an outstanding communicator(s) or influencer(s), establishing or reinforcing the mutually beneficial relationship between an organization and the public or otherwise impacting communications landscape

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• Submission Requirements:

  • Two-page summary of the accomplishments qualifications of the individual or group that addresses the judging criteria

  • Two letters supporting the nomination. These letters should come from people who have knowledge of and involvement with these extraordinary accomplishments and/or contributions

  • The nominee's professional bio or summary of the group

  • The nominee's headshot or appropriate group photograph

  • A $40 entry fee will be assed to the nomination

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Communicator of the Year:

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• The Communicator of the year award goes to an individual from the Tri-Cities who has demonstrated communications excellence and is not a communications/public relations professional. This award will honor a person whose contributions have occurred, in part or in whole, because of particularly effective work in the areas of public relations, marketing, media relations or general communications

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• Submission Requirements:

  • Two-page summary explaining why this person should receive the Communicator of the Year award

  • The nominee's professional bio and headshot

  • No entry fee will be assed to the nomination

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Rod Irvin Excellence in Public Relations Award:

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• Designed to honor an individual who exemplifies integrity, creativity, leadership, community involvement and whose work has upheld the finest standards of the PRSA

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• Submission Requirements:

  • Must be Tri-Cities based and a member of PRSA

  • Two-page narrative explaining how the nominee meets the requirements listed above

  • The nominee's professional bio and headshot

  • A $40 entry fee will be assed to the nomination

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Submit Your Application!​

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We welcome your submission in the 2025 competition! 
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• After reading the above information and compiling your submission items, use the button below to apply and pay the required fees (required after completing submission form)