Categories

1. Advertising: Recognizes the best communication of products or services through the various advertising platforms. Entries will be judged on the effectiveness of the communication, cohesiveness of the campaign, overall content and design and layout.

(A) Single Print Ad

(B) Broadcast

(C) Outdoor/Transit

(D) Print Campaign

(E) Multimedia Campaign

(F) Online Campaigns

2. Collateral: Recognizes the best collection of publications used to support the sales of a product or service, including but not limited to brochures, white papers, product data sheets, etc. Entries will be judged on the effectiveness of the communication, the cohesiveness of the campaign, the overall content and the design and layout.

(A) Budget under $10,000

(B) Budget over $10,000

3. Annual Report: Recognizes the best annual report published for 2009. Entries will be judged on effectiveness of communicating the organization’s accomplishments, overall content, writing style, quality and design and layout.

(A) Budget under $15,000

(B) Budget over $15,000

4. Communication Programs: Recognizes the best full campaign for any project, which may include collateral, advertisements and media relations components. Entries will be judged on effectiveness of communication, the cohesiveness of the campaign, the overall content and design and layout.

(A) Internal

(B) External

(C) Internal and External

5. Community Relations: Recognizes the best community programs, special events or campaigns. Entries will be judged on the reach, the creativity and effectiveness of the program.

(A) One-time

(B) Ongoing

(C) Diversity/Health Disparity Programs

6. Media Relations: Recognizes the best management of internal and external communications. Entries will be judged on the quantity and quality of story placements and the effectiveness of communication.

(A) Proactive Story Placements

(B) Crisis Communications

7. Website: Recognizes the best internal or external website. Entries will be judged on the effective use of the medium, technical quality/navigation, editorial content, ease of use and creativity. Submissions must include a website URL and temporary password if site has restricted content.

8. Presentation: Recognizes the best presentation of an organization’s products, services, or programs. Entries will be judged on the effectiveness and creativity of the medium and the overall content.

(A) Video

(B) Other

9. Writing: Original material written for a particular communication project. Published and unpublished works are eligible. Entries will be judged on the clarity of voice, the writing quality/style, the conciseness of the message and the effectiveness in meeting the stated objective of the piece.

(A) Articles/Stories

(B) Speeches/Editorials

(C) Sales/Marketing Material

(D) Writing for Online Distribution

10. Newsletters: Recognizes the best newsletters, published at least bi-annually. Entries will be judged on the overall content, effectiveness of the communication, writing style, quality and design and layout.

(A) Printed

(B) Electronic

11. Social media: Recognizes communications programs that are designed to facilitate collaboration and engage target audiences in conversation rather than traditional one-way communication. Examples of possible entries include online communities, social networking sites and blogs. Entries will be judged on the overall content, strategic use of technology, overall effectiveness, audience reach and innovation. Submissions must include electronic PDFs of the communications materials. URLs and temporary passwords may be submitted if applicable.

12. New media: Recognizes innovative computer-based communication projects, including mobile device applications and mobile marketing.