Submission Deadlines and Fees*| EARLY BIRD DEADLINE Sunday, February 14th, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST | PRSA-NY Members | Non-members | | Enter in 1 Category | $300 | $350 | | Enter in 2 Categories | $525 | $625 | | Enter in 3 Categories | $750 | $900 | | | | | | REGULAR DEADLINE Monday, February 29th, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST | | | | Enter in 1 Category | $400 | $450 | | Enter in 2 Categories | $725 | $825 | | Enter in 3 Categories | $1,050 | $1,200 |
*Save $100 per entry by meeting the February 14th Early Bird Deadline.
Entrants may submit a unique campaign in up to three applicable categories (Categories 1 – 22); discounts apply for multiple-entry submissions of the same campaign..
Entrants may submit a stand-alone item or part(s) of a larger campaign as an entry in Categories 23 through 30; multiple-entry submissions are not permitted in these categories.
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New CategoriesSix new award categories have been introduced for 2016:
- Category 8: Target Marketing to Women
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to women.
Includes subcategories for Business; Government Associations and Non-Profit Organizations; and Campaigns with budgets of $150,000 or less
- Category 9: Target Marketing to Men
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to men.
Includes subcategories for Business; Government Associations and Non-Profit Organizations; and Campaigns with budgets of $150,000 or less
Category 10: Target Marketing to Youth
Programs that publicize and promote new or existing products or services specifically directed to youth.
Includes subcategories for Business; Government Associations and Non-Profit Organizations; and Campaigns with budgets of $150,000 or less
- Category 12: Marketing Targeted specifically to Animal Care
Campaigns about animals and those who care for and supply goods and services to them and their owners. The entry should prove how a particular campaign solved problems, or changes opinions or created business opportunities.
Includes subcategories for Campaigns with Budgets over $150,000 and Campaigns with Budgets of $150,000 or less
- Category 25: Infographics
- Category 30: The Next Big Thing (Innovative Approaches to Execution)
Creative applications of emerging technology to a program, presentation, media pitch, employee communication or website, etc.
Eligibility- Each entry must have been produced with at least the majority of the public relations campaign and its results having occurred in 2015.
Multi-year campaigns may be entered in successive years only if the elements submitted for consideration meet the above criteria.
- Each entry must have been a geographic relationship to the New York metropolitan area (either development or implementation).
Entries may be submitted by communications and public relations professionals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for programs created in 2015 and implemented anywhere in the world. Most or all of the strategic work on the programs should have been performed by professionals in this tri-state area. Professionals outside the tri-state area are eligible to submit programs if, and only if, their program was implemented primarily in New York, New Jersey and/or Connecticut.
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Confidentiality & Budget Data Privacy- Once submitted, entries become the property of PRSA-NY.
- Entries are not confidential. However, during the submission process only, entrants may request that access to budget information be restricted to Big Apple judges.
- With the exception of the budget exclusion option noted above, PRSA-NY reserves the right to use entries or a reproduction of entries in part or in full. This may include posting on the PRSA-NY and/or Institute for Public Relations (IPR) web sites, use at the PRSA-NY Big Apple Event, promotion of future Awards, and/or to provide a resource of successful programs for educational purposes.
- PRSA-NY recommends that submitters secure approval from clients and/or employers prior to submitting an entry. PRSA-NY accepts all award entries with the understanding this permission has been granted. Disputes involving clients, employers and submitters must be addressed by the parties involved. PRSA-NY will not mediate.
- A complaint that an entry was submitted without authorization may cause an entry to be disqualified; consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis.
- No refunds will be given to entries that have been submitted and subsequently withdrawn or disqualified.
Judging & Notification Timeline- PRSA-NY reserves the right to exclude any entry for any reason. Refunds will not be given should an entry be reviewed and subsequently rejected.
- Judges reserve the right to move entries to alternative categories they believe to be more appropriate.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- Finalists will be notified during the week of April 4th, 2016.
- Every campaign or single item entry selected as a Big Apple Award finalist must be represented by either the nominator or his/her designee during the awards presentation ceremony on Thursday evening, June 2nd, 2016.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsPlease contact us at BigAppleAwards@prsany.org with suggested additions or updates to this page. Who can enter?
The 2016 Big Apple Awards competition is open to all public relations professionals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for programs created in 2015 and implemented anywhere in the world. Most or all of the strategic work on the programs should have been performed by professionals in this tri-state area. Professionals outside the tri-state area are eligible to submit programs if, and only if, their program was implemented primarily in New York, New Jersey and/or Connecticut. Certification of the geographic area of focus for your campaign will be required during the entry process.
Where can I find the entry forms?
The entry process is 100% online. The entry form can be found on the ADD ENTRY page of this website. Draft entries can be updated before submittal using the toolbar on the MANAGE ENTRIES page.
What does it cost to enter and when are entries due?
Deadlines and rates for the 2016 Big Apple Awards can be found above on this NEED TO KNOW FOR 2016 page.
Why is there an Early Bird and Final Entry Deadline?
We want to give you every opportunity to prepare your entry in a way that meets your high standards. We also want to give you the opportunity to save money on entry fees if you get your entry in early. Either way, the online submission process lets you focus on creating the best possibly content rather than worrying about copying, collating, packing, shipping and mailing (or hand-delivering!) your entry.
How can I pay for my award entries?
Payments are made online via a secure server. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Click the Pay Online button above the toolbar on the MANAGE ENTRIES page.
How do I pick the proper category?
With nearly 80 categories to choose from there may be multiple areas of interest. A Campaign may be submitted in up to three applicable categories (Categories 1 – 22); a Single Item Entry can be submitted once in Categories 23 – 30. Entrants are responsible for review the descriptions and picking the category/ies that are most appropriate. Judges may (but are not required to) move an entry to another category they believe is more appropriate. A full list of categories is available on the ABOUT page.
Do I need permission from my client or employer to submit an entry?
PRSA-NY strongly recommends that you secure approval from your client and/or employer prior to submitting an entry. PRSA-NY accepts all award entries as if permission has been granted. An entry MAY be disqualified if there is a complaint that it was submitted without authorization, but no refunds will be given. Disputes involving clients, employers and submitters must be addressed by the parties. PRSA-NY will not mediate.
Does submitting an entry guarantee an award win?
No. Entries are judged on the basis of 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. The judges may award multiple winners as they see fit. However, they will not designate a winner in a category they feel contains no entries of award-winning caliber.
When will winners be notified?
Finalists in each category will be notified following the judging of the Big Apple entries (expected during the week of April 4th, 2016). From these finalists, the Big Apple Award winners and runners-up (if selected) will be announced on June 2, 2016 at the Big Apple Awards gala.
What is the prize?
All finalists will be presented with an award at the 2016 Big Apple Awards gala. Winners will receive a trophy; Honorable Mention winners will receive a plaque. A Big Apple Award is recognized as one of the highest honors in public relations.
What information is required to enter?
Each campaign and single item entry must include a 100 Word Synopsis and two-page summary document detailing key public relations objectives, tactics and results. This includes: Research/Situation Analysis, Planning, Execution, Results/Evaluation and Budget. This information shall be repeated in the online form; space is available for supplemental information and additional supporting materials you think could give your entry a competitive edge when being reviewed by the judges..
What are the qualifications of the judges?
Judges are selected by the PRSA-NY Board. 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. PRSA-NY provides judges with criteria and score sheets, along with training on our standards and best practices.
What if the entry must remain confidential?
The nature of the Big Apple Award process cannot preserve confidentiality. If you have confidential work that cannot be shared, it should not be submitted. Entries become the property of PRSA-NY. The organization reserves the right to use entries or a reproduction of entries in part or in full. This may include posting on the PRSA-NY and/or IPR web sites, use at the PRSA-NY Big Apple Event, to promote future Awards and/or to provide a resource of successful programs for educational purposes.
Entrants in Category 16 – Issues Management – may request that sensitive information be kept private for access by judges only; these requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis (contact BigAppleAwards@prsany.org for more information).
Entrants in all categories have the opportunity during the entry submission process to indicate whether budget figures are to be kept private for access only by our judges.
Does PRSA-NY release program budgets?
Budget figures are requested for all entries; failure to include budget information may result in lower scoring. If the campaign or single item budget can’t be disclosed due to confidentiality, entrants may indicate that the budget is to be kept private among our judges.
Will entrants receive the judges' score sheets?
No. The judges' online score sheets are the property of PRSA-NY.
Is there a dispute process?
No. PRSA-NY and its Big Apple Awards program is a volunteer-driven program. Judging is based on criteria set out on the various pages of this website. All scores and decisions are final.
How can I become involved in the Big Apple process?
PRSA-NY encourages members who are interested in volunteering to participate in the Big Apple Awards. If you are interested in volunteering on the awards committee, which manages the entry and judging process, or on the Big Apple Awards gala planning committee, contact the PRSA-NY office at BigAppleAwards@prsany.org or call 212-228-7228. [return to top]
HOW TO WIN A BIG APPLE AWARD presentationEmmanuel Tchividjian, SVP at Ruder Finn, has collected tips and techniques for writing a winning Big Apple entry from industry experts, former judges, and recent award winners. Read the advice for clearly communicating program goals, describing program tactics, and highlighting measurable results to maximize your chances of winning one of the most prestigious awards in the communications industry. [return to top]
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