ABOUT THE PRSA-NY BIG APPLE AWARDS
 

OVERVIEW

2019 AWARD CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS
 


OVERVIEWPRSA-NY BIG APPLE LOGO

The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America established the Big Apple Awards program in 1988 to encourage excellence in public relations. The program has evolved to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry and continues to celebrate the exciting and innovative successes of talented professionals working in the heart of the communications universe. Today, a Big Apple Award is recognized as one of the highest honors bestowed in public relations.

Scope
The competition is open to all PR professionals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for programs created in 2018 and implemented anywhere in the world. Most or all of the strategic work on the nominated programs should have been performed by professionals in this tri-state area. PR pros outside the area may also submit entries if the nominated program was implemented primarily in New York, New Jersey and/or Connecticut.

Professionals from in-house communications teams at businesses, associations and government agencies; representatives of agencies of all sizes; and independent practitoners are all encouraged to participate!
 

Diversity of Work
Our comprehensive roster of more than 100 award categories provides an opportunity for nearly every type of communications program to be considered.

  • Within the Campaign Awards, separate categories exist for "general entries" (over $150K) and small (less than $150K). Popular categories have entries for business campaigns and those for government, associations and non-profit organizations as well.
     
  • The Spotlight Awards (previously known as the Single Item Entries) showcase work that is deserving of its own recognition, even if it was also submitted as part of a larger campaign entry. In this category you may see print projects or video; websites or mobile apps; or the use of influencers and experiential marketing techniques to foster brand engagement.  If you’re operating at the front of the technological pack, be sure to highlight your tech leadership with a submission in The Next Big Tech Thing: Innovative technological approaches to execution.


Industry Leadership
The judging panel comprises dozens of experienced, senior-level PR professions representing a wide range of disciplines and expertise. Special care is taken to assure that all judges remain impartial and are not assigned to review the nomination(s) of a competitor.
 

Four Pillars
Four key areas of the work are reviewed:  research, planning, execution and results. Consideration is also given to the creative use of limited funds and to entries that have impressive media results and clearly articulate direct business or other campaign outcomes.

For any category, the judges may choose to award a winner and/or honorable mention(s). They may also choose to NOT designate a winner in a category should they feel no entries of award-winning caliber were submitted. 
 

Notification of Nominees
When the judging is complete, nominees are notified. This year, notifications are expected to be issued in mid-April.  

All Big Apple Award nominees should send a representative to the 2019 Big Apple Awards Gala to accept the award, should that nominee be named as winner.
 

Awards Presentation Ceremony
The unveiling of Big Apple Award Campaign Award winners, Spotlight Award winners, and honorable mentions is kept secret until announcement at the Big Apple Awards Gala on June 24th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

All Big Apple Award nominee should send at least one representative to the 2019 Big Apple Awards Gala to accept the award, should that nominee be named as winner.
 

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PRSA-NY BIG APPLE LOGO2019 AWARD CATEGORIES AND DEFINITIONS

Campaign Award Categories

REPUTATION & BRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP

1. Reputation and Brand Management
Programs that introduce, promote, or enhance the image, profile and reputation of an organization to its key constituents, either proactively or in response to an issue, event or market occurrence.

a. Business

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

2. Brand Engagement  
Programs that effectively and consistently communicate a brand's message while engaging audiences across multiple media channels.

a. Business

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

3. Integrated Communications
Programs that blend various promotional strategies, tactics and tools to effectively and consistently communicate an organization’s brand, products and/or services to key audiences.

a. Consumer Products 

b. Consumer Services

c. Business-to-Business

d. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

e. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

4. Spotlight: Brand Engagement 
An activity or program that effectively and consistently communicates the brand's message, engages the audience across media channels, and forms an attachment between the audience and the brand.

 

EVENTS & OBSERVANCES GROUP

5. Events and Observances (One to Seven Days)
A stunt, event or series of events (e.g., opening, celebration, etc.) that draws attention to a product, service, organization or commemorative occasion of seven days or less.

a. Business

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

6. Events and Observances (More Than Seven Days)
An event or series of events (e.g., festivals, year-long anniversary, etc.) that draws attention to a product, service, organization or commemorative occasion of more than seven days.

a. Business

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

PUBLIC SERVICE/PUBIC AFFAIRS GROUP

7. Public Service
Programs that foster public understanding or promote a call to action regarding a societal issue or cause.

a. Business

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

8. Public Affairs
Programs that create public awareness of a specific issue or political candidate or that are designed to affect legislation, government regulations, or political action at the local, state or federal government level. (If federal, the candidate or issue must originate from the New York metro-area).

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

CONSUMER MARKETING GROUP

9. Marketing Consumer Products
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products to a consumer audience.

a. Healthcare

b. Technology

c. Beauty    

d. Fashion    

e. Food, Beverage and Hospitality

f. Packaged Goods

g. Non-Packaged Goods

h. Other

i. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

10. Marketing Consumer Services
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing services to a consumer audience.

a. Healthcare

b. Technology

c. Finance

d. Travel and Tourism

e. Restaurant/Bar and Retail 

f. Real Estate    

g. Sports    

h. Arts, Culture and Media  

i. Other

j. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS GROUP

11. Marketing Business-to-Business 
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services to a business audience.

a. Professional and Financial Services

b. Products

c. Other

d. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

12. Global Communications
Programs for implementation in more than one country that were planned, coordinated, and at least partially implemented by professionals in the New York metropolitan area.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

13. Crisis Communications*
Programs that deal specifically with internal or external situations that required an immediate response (includes proactive and reactive programs designed to protect and defend an individual or organization facing a public challenge to its reputation as well as programs for crisis, disaster or emergency preparedness, response and management).

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

14. Issues Management*
Programs that deal with issues that could extraordinarily affect ongoing business strategy consistent with an organization’s mission, values, vision and best practices.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

15. Internal Communications
Programs that enhance an organization’s relationship with its employees and publics directly allied with the organization, such as members, affiliated dealers and franchisees.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

16. Investor Relations
Programs that effectively communicate an organization's financial story and maintain relations with its shareholders, industry analysts, investment community and local business community.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

17. Annual Reports
Creative print and/or digital representation of Annual Reports for businesses, foundations, academic institutions, organizations or other agencies; Sustainability Reports; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports; and other documents designed to showcase organizational excellence to key audiences and the public at large.
 

18. Legal Marketing & Communications
Programs that promote and publicize legal products and services.

 

TARGETED MARKETING GROUP

19. Targeted Marketing to Women 
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to women.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

20. Targeted Marketing to Men
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to men.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

21. Targeted Marketing to Millennials
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to millennials.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

22. Targeted Marketing to Baby Boomers
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to baby boomers.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

23. Marketing Targeted Specifically to Animal Care
Programs about animals (e.g., solved a problem, changed opinions, or created business opportunities) or programs that promoted new or existing products and services for animals and their owners.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

24. Multicultural Public Relations 
Programs that are specifically designed to consider multiple diversities and recognize the perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of an organization’s cultural publics.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION GROUP

25.  Spotlight: Diversity and Inclusion       
Demonstrates diversity and inclusion through work on either an internal or external communications campaign.

a. Business           

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations      

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

26. Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace  
Programs designed to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace and yield measurable results.

a. Business           

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations      

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less            

 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY GROUP

27. Corporate Social Responsibility
Programs of a philanthropic nature that benefit charitable causes, the environment, consumers, communities, stakeholders and other members of the public sphere. 

a. Campaigns with Budgets over $150,000

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

c. Corporate/Non-Profit Partnerships
 

28. Community Relations
Programs that improve or maintain an organization’s relationship or image within the community (specific geographic location) in which it operates.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less

 

MEDIA RELATIONS & CONTENT MAREKTING GROUP

29. Spotlight: Content Marketing  
Programs that effectively leverage articles, videos, infographics, and other types of relevant and valuable narrative content to introduce and/or promote a brand or organization.

a. Business           

b. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations      

c. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less
 

30. Spotlight: Digital Media
Programs that utilize any form of digital media (social media, mobile, apps, or other technology) as the sole or primary source of outreach to generate awareness or influence behavior.

a. Consumer Products and Services

b. Business-to-Business

c. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations

d. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less


31. Spotlight: Video
Creative content and/or innovative use of broadcast, streaming or other video content including B-Roll, Internal Video, Public Service Announcement, Satellite Media Tour, Mobile, Shared or Social Media, Vlog, Viral Videos, etc.

a. Video for Broadcast: Media Tour or B-Roll

b. PSAs

c. Social Video

d. Internal Video

e. Live Web Event

f. Other
 

32. Spotlight: Blogs 
Original, insightful and inspiring content published via a blog (or vlog) for the purpose of establishing authority and enhancing reputation in an industry.


33. Spotlight: Podcasts
Audio or video delivered as part of a syndicated series that can be downloaded or streamed online. Listeners or viewers must be able to subscribe to updates that are either delivered automatically or are made available to the subscriber in some aggregated format.


34. Spotlight: Experiential Marketing  
Programs by a brand, agency or publisher to connect with consumers and encourage brand or organizational loyalty through indoor or outdoor experiences or via social engagement such as Facebook Live or Twitter Live.
 

35. Spotlight: Media Relations
Innovative, engaging or other successful techniques that captured the attention of influencers and media (consumer, trade, or business) and connected them with your brand or client.

a. Cross Platform

b. Print

c. Broadcast (TV and/or Radio)

d. Digital (Online/Social)


36. Spotlight: Influencers
Creative, appropriate and effective identification, engagement and use of an ambassador, celebrity or other influencer to introduce, enhance or promote an organization or brand message to key audiences.

a. General Entries

b. Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or Less


37. Spotlight: Infographics
Creative graphical representation of information that might be more difficult to comprehend in another medium.
 

38. Spotlight: Websites
New or newly designed website that demonstrates exceptional content, design, navigation and presentation.
 

39. Spotlight: Analytics
Using data & insights to shape the success of a program and improve outcomes.
 

40. Spotlight: The Next Big Tech Thing:  Innovative Technological Approaches to Execution
Creative use of an emerging technology, device, or mobile app in support of a communications program.

 

IN-HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP [all free entry]
The Big Apple program is looking to reward in-house communications teams for the great work they do, as well as how they collaborate with senior agency leaders. Our goals is to bring agencies and in-house teams closer together. To encourage a large group of nominees, we are making it free to enter.


Visit www.prsany.org/BAInHouse19 to enter the Big Apple In-House Communications Group Awards.


41. Best In-House team
Awarded to in house teams that consistently generate results, surpass goals & objectives and promote diversity & inclusion among team members.

a. Health (Including Medical, Pharma, Wellness, etc.)

b. Consumer (Including CPG, Technology, Travel, Food & Bev, etc.)

c. Services (Legal, Finance, Insurance, etc.)

d. Government, Associations and Non-Profit Organizations       

e. Other
 

42. BEST PARTNERSHIP
Celebrating the best relationship between senior leaders at an agency and end client partner.

 

MEDIA GROUP [all free entry]
The PRSA-NY Chapter believes we have the best public relations practitioners in the world. One reason for that is we also offer the best in media, trade press and industry bloggers. While the media is under siege from multiple directions, we feel it is time to recognize the great work that they do and honor them for the first time as part of the Big Apple Awards. Entry is free and you can enter the media group awards at www.prsany.org/BAMedia19.
 

43. Best Coverage of the New York PR Community by a Trade
Local or national PR trade publication covering the New York PR Community.
 

44. Best Coverage of the New York PR Community by a Blog
Local or National PR Blog covering the New York PR Community.
 

45. Best Coverage of the New York PR Community Working for a Trade
Local or national reporter for PR trade publication covering the New York PR Community.
 

46. Best Coverage of the New York Metropolitan Area by a Print, Broadcast or Online Media Outlet
Print, broadcast or online reporting of the New York metropolitan area.
 

47. Best Coverage of the New York Metropolitan Area by a Reporter/Producer for a Print, Broadcast or Online Media Outlet
Print, broadcast or online reporting of the New York metropolitan area by a reporter or producer.
 

48. Best Coverage of the New York Metropolitan Area by a Print, Broadcast or Online Media Outlet for a Business Story
Print, broadcast or online business reporting of the New York metropolitan area.
 

49. Best coverage of the New York metropolitan area by a reporter/producer for a print, broadcast or online media outlet for a business story
Print, broadcast or online business reporting of the New York metropolitan area by a reporter or producer.

 

*Information provided by entrants in this category will be kept confidential for review only by the judging panel.


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