Entry Guidelines

INSTRUCTIONS

All entries must be submitted through the online portal*. Please click the Add Entry tab to submit an entry.

The Entry Summary must be uploaded as a PDF.

You may upload no more than 10 supportive materials documents, photos, and audio/video files. Examples of supporting materials are research and evaluation reports, surveys, media releases, clippings, photos, videos and samples of tactical materials. Files may be no larger than 50Mb.

Supplemental materials may also be linked to live content on the web (up to 3). It is highly recommended that you provide multiple file extensions for any video to ensure it may be viewed on various platforms.

Please be sure to clearly label all files with the entry title using the following format: Category_Company_Title. ex: "5a_AgencyB_AppleUnveilsRDUPlans"

All entries or text must be submitted in English or translated to ensure accurate judging. A copy of the original, as well as the translated version is preferred.

* Watt Huntley Lifetime Achievement Award nominations must be submitted using this form on the RPRS website by Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

ELIGIBILITY

• Campaigns and tactics must have taken place (either in part or in full) between January 1, 2017 and August 17, 2018. Some of the work must have occurred during this time, but it is not necessary for the work to completed during the eligibility period. However, a program nearing completion that can be evaluated against initial objectives tends to have a better chance of winning.
• The Sir Walter Raleigh Awards of Excellence in Communication honor all communication professionals in North Carolina, regardless of membership or the type of business they represent.
• Public relations agencies, investor relations agencies, publicists, public affairs organizations, corporation communications and marketing communications teams, nonprofits, education professionals, government organizations, solo practitioners, and students are all eligible.
• All university and high school students who were enrolled in the 2017-2018 academic year are invited to enter. Student projects may also be submitted by a teacher or advisor, or students may submit as a group.
• All practitioners must be based in North Carolina.
• All submission fees for the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Excellence in Communication must be paid by Friday, August 17, 2018 by 11:59 p.m. EST, the late fee deadline. Check the status of your submission on the View / Edit Entries page.
• Watt Huntley Lifetime Achievement Award nominations must be received by Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. EST using this form.

GUIDELINES

• Each entry must be submitted with a category-appropriate summary and entry fee. Judges will not move entries to better suited categories.
• You may enter your entry into more than one category.* However, it must apply to the specific criteria stated within each category.
• Summaries must be one page for tactics and two pages for campaigns. Pages must have a one-inch margin on all sides with a minimum of font size 10. Include each of the criteria listed below, measurable objectives, target audiences, budget and any other specific information requested in the individual category.
• All entrants confirm that their programs and entries comply with the ethical standards of the profession, as embodied in the PRSA Code of Ethics. Should your entry have an aspect of “ethics performance” that is both instructive and vital to your program, please include a short commentary in the supportive materials.
• All entries must have an overview of 100 words or less. If selected as a winner, this will be the statement highlighting your campaign or tactic.

* Bang for Your Buck entries may not be entered in another category.

SUBMISSION FEES

CHECKLIST

Double check you have these items before submitting to the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards:

• Two page summary for campaigns (.pdf only)
• One page summary for tactics (.pdf only)
• 100-word summary statement (used at banquet)
• Must have at least one supporting material and no more than 10. (50Mb file size max)
• Photo that represents the project (.jpg, .png, or .pdf - no larger than 50Mb) to be displayed at the Banquet
• Credit card (checks not accepted)

JUDGING

RPRS has partnered with the Oregon Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for judging entries in 2018. RPRS will notify registrants with winning entries by COB Tuesday, September 25. The exact award categories or tactics will not be announced until the RPRS Annual Awards Banquet in October 2018.

COLLECTING YOUR AWARD

All entries will be displayed at the awards dinner and winners will be announced during the Raleigh Public Relations Society Annual Awards Banquet.

Additional Awards: If winners wish to recognize other individuals or firms who contributed to an award-winning entry, the award winner is responsible for purchasing additional awards, which may be ordered after the competition by contacting rprsawards@gmail.com.