Choosing a Category
You have a wide selection of award categories to choose from. Along with some NEW CATEGORY OPTIONS! Review all of the categories to determine how to best enter your work. You may enter a piece in multiple categories, although entry fees must be paid for each category entered. Individual campaign components can be entered both as single elements and as a group in a campaign category.
Category A: Digital Marketing
Targeted, measurable, and interactive marketing using digital technologies. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- A1—Microsite: Web pages that function as auxiliary supplements to a host site
- A2—Website (Budget under $100,000): A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
- A3—Website (Budget $100,001 to $500,000): A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
- A4—Website (Budget over $500,000): A set of related web pages containing content such as text, images, video, audio, etc.
- A5—Mobile/smartphone app: Application that performs a specific function on a handheld device
- A6—Banner or button ad (single or campaign): Video, text, or static (such as GIF or Flash), including floating, fold-over, peel-back, and expandable (must show 2-3 pieces if campaign)
- A7—Email campaign: More than one email directed to a specific audience (must show 2-3 pieces from campaign)
- A8—Webinar, webcast, or Podcast: Broadcast presented over the Internet (live or pre-recorded), or routine chronological commentary videos
Category B: Video
Recorded continuous motion. Please edit length to the best or most representative five minute segment. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- B1—Video, corporate overview
- B2—Video, promotional (new service, product, etc.)
- B3—Animation (2D or 3D) or motion graphics: Recorded series of still images compiled to create the illusion of motion
Category C: Social
Usage of social media channels such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media networks, blogs, forums, or word of mouth. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- C1—Integrated social media campaign (3 or more social media channels): Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 3 or more social media channels
- C2—Integrated social media campaign (2 or fewer social media channels): Marketing campaign devoted to gaining website traffic or attention through 2 or fewer social media channels
- C3—Blog: Blog published by or on behalf of an organization on a routine basis, or a report specifically addressing an issue
- C4—Webinar, webcast, or podcast: Broadcast presented over the Internet (live or pre-recorded), or routine chronological commentary videos
- C5—Interactive presentation: PowerPoint, Keynote, PDF, Flash, or HTML5
- C6—YouTube page: Branded home page for a YouTube account
Category D: Broadcast
Marketing done on the radio or television. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- D1—TV commercial (single or campaign)
- D2—Radio commercial (single or campaign)
Category E: Print
Advertising using newspapers, magazines, newsletters, booklets, flyers, direct mail, or anything else that would be considered a portable printed medium. Budget should include all production and implementation aspects, such as creative and placement costs, etc.
- E1—Fraction page advertising (single or campaign): Must show 2-3 pieces if campaign
- E2—Full page or spread advertising (single) – Budget under $50,000
- E3—Full page or spread advertising (single) – Budget over $50,000
- E4—Full page or spread advertising (campaign) – Budget $50,000 or less: Must show 2-3 pieces
- E5—Full Page or spread advertising (campaign) – Budget over $50,000: Must show 2-3 pieces
- E6—Original photography
- E7—Original illustration: Hand-drawn or computer-generated art
Category F: Outdoor and Large Format
- F1—Billboard or large banner (single or series): Displayed in an airport, etc. Must show 2-3 pieces if series
- F2—Mass transit or vehicle graphic (single or campaign): Must show 2-3 pieces if campaign
Category G: Tradeshows and Special Events
Include photos, floor plans, and any other related materials.
- G1—Small tradeshow exhibit (500 sq ft or less): This includes a backwall, tabletop exhibit, kiosk, etc.
- G2—Large tradeshow exhibit (over 500 sq ft): This includes a peninsula, island, etc.
- G3—Tradeshow campaign: Total campaign communication and exhibit details
- G4—Fixed installation: Displayed in a building lobby, etc.
- G5—Themed special event (internal or external): Event organized for a specific audience, such as employees or customers
- G6—Virtual event (internal or external): Virtual event or workshop organized for a specific audience, such as employees or customers
Category H: Newsletters and Magazines
Routine publications published in print or electronically for an external audience.
- H1—Newsletter, print or electronic (16 pages or less): Must submit 2-3 issues
- H2—Magazine, print or electronic (regular publication over 16 pages): Must submit 2-3 issues
- H3—Custom-published magazine, print or electronic: Single-edition magazine supplement
Category I: Sales Enablement Tools
Brochures, catalogs, datasheets, or packages that enable sales.
- I1—Capabilities booklet or brochure (4 pages or less)
- I2—Capabilities booklet or brochure (over 4 pages)
- I3—Product, equipment, or parts catalog
- I4—Technical sheet or bulletin (single or series): Must show 2-3 pieces if series
- I5—Sales package or media kit: Package of information about a company
- I6—Promotional item (Budget $20 each or less)
- I7—Promotional item (Budget over $20 each)
Category J: Direct Mail
Advertising sent by mail.
- J1—Flat direct mail piece (single or campaign): Must show 2-3 pieces if campaign
- J2—Dimensional direct mailer (single or campaign): Must show 2-3 pieces if campaign
Category K: Corporate
The brand or identity incorporating both the relationship between a customer and a business as well as the look and feel of the business.
K1—Branding or rebranding campaign: National or global program to establish or refocus a company or product brand image (must show 2-3 pieces)
- K2—Identity standards/manual: The visual aspects that form part of the overall brand
- K3—Logo design
- K4—Tagline
- K5—Annual report
Category L: Internal Communications
The intent to create a cultural shift within an organization, where the employees become more customer-focused and more business-focused.
- L1—Internal branding program: Program defining the image of the organization for employees and providing guidance for their actions
- L2—Internal newsletter or magazine (print or electronic): Regular publication delivered to employees (must submit 2-3 pieces)
- L3—Internal video (single or periodic): Regular video (live or pre-recorded) delivered to employees (must submit 2-3 videos)
- L4—Internal communications strategy: Strategy to communicate to employees within an organization
Category M: Public Relations
Coordinated B2B public relations effort that supports products, a division, or company. Entries can include the following items: media relations campaign results, press releases, press conferences or media tours, analyst relations results/briefings, media kits, new product introductions/announcements, community relations efforts, investor relations communications, and video segments of broadcast coverage. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- M1—Public relations campaign: Must submit 3 or more items from the list above
- M2—Single PR effort: Must submit 1 item from the list above
- M3—Media kit
- M4—Crisis Management: Must submit 1 item from the list above
Category N: Non-Profit
Services performed or produced for a non-profit organization communicating to a business audience. Entries can include the following items: complete advertising campaign, individual advertisements, literature/printed materials, identity materials (logos/letterhead), direct mail, radio, TV, web, video, and public relations strategy. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- N1—Non-profit campaign: Must submit 3 or more items from the list above
- N2—Single non-profit effort: Must submit 1 item from the list above
Category O: Integrated Marketing Communications Program
Programs that support products, a group of products, a division, or company using an integrated strategy. Entries can include the following items: magazine, outdoor, newspaper, radio, TV, and digital advertising; sales literature; direct marketing; public relations; trade show materials; video production; interactive media; and sales promotion/merchandising materials. Post link(s) along with any required login/password to link(s) field on entry form. If a program does not run, or the link fails to work, it will not be judged.
- O1—Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $50,000 or less)
- O2—Integrated marketing communications program (Budget $100,000 to $200,000)
- O3—Integrated marketing communications program (Budget over $200,000)
Category P: Market Research
Researching the elements of the marketing mix, competitors, markets, etc., dealing with customers.
- P1—Qualitative and/or quantitative research project: Include data such as words, pictures, objects, or numbers