PubClub Chicago

CALL FOR ENTRIES

ELIGIBILITY

The Golden Trumpet Awards are open to:

All public relations, communications and marketing practitioners, self-employed or retained by companies or organizations doing business within 500 miles of Chicago
Professionals outside of this geographic area who handle public relations, communications and marketing assignments for entities within the Chicagoland Area.
Membership in Publicity Club of Chicago is NOT required, but PCC members receive discounts on entries and gala tickets. To become a member, contact the PCC office at office@publicity.org or 773-463-5560.
STUDENT ENTRIES: Students currently enrolled in a college or university public relations curricula at the time of submitting their entry may enter the Golden Trumpet Awards at the student rate. The same rules apply to student entries. A ceremony honoring the student winners will be held at the start of the Golden Trumpet gala.

ELIGIBILITY PERIOD

Entries being entered must have been conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2019. Activities initiated prior to January 1, 2019 with results extending into 2020 are eligible.

DEADLINES

Regular deadline: All entries must be finalized and submitted online prior to Friday, May 29, 2020 at 5:00 PM CST.

CATEGORIES

There are 26 categories. Business, government, education, trade association, nonprofit programs may be entered in any appropriate category. A full program may be entered in only one category. Individual components of any full program may also be entered in another category. Judges reserve the right to select a more appropriate category.

ONLINE ENTRY PROCESS

Entries will be accepted online only. Please follow the instructions for your online entry carefully. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each category will be judged by a panel of expert communications professionals – veterans in their fields.

Entries will be evaluated on the planning, execution, and accomplishment of marketing and communications objectives, placing a high value on creativity and demonstrated results. Each entry is judged on standards of excellence. More than one Golden Trumpet and one Silver Trumpet may be awarded in each category. If no entry in a category is deemed worthy, no award will be granted.

Judges follow strict procedures and each entry is judged by at least two judges. To protect the integrity of the awards program, no judge reviews any category in which he/she or his/her agency or company has entered. The judges for the Golden Trumpet Awards are distinguished public relations professionals representing leading organizations in the agency, corporate, government and not-for profit sectors.

Each entry is judged on its own merits. Entries are not judged against each other. Each entry will be judged on a 100-point system as defined below:

Objectives (maximum of 20 points):

How well does the entry describe the factors in the marketplace or organization that created the need for this project, and then, do the objectives provide a specific, detailed explanation of the objectives that guided the development of the project?

Techniques (maximum of 20 points):

What techniques, methods and approaches were used to address the objectives and solve the problem? If this is a single-item entry from a campaign, the single-item should provide enough explanation of strategic and tactical considerations, so that the content from which the single item evolved is clear.

Creativity (maximum of 20 points):

What creative initiatives or creative use of techniques, methods or approaches were used to achieve the objectives?

Results and ROI (Return on Investment) (maximum of 20 points):

Do the narrative and supporting material provide both quantitative and qualitative documentation of the success of the project, such as inquiries or sales generated, media coverage achieved, brand reputation enhanced/saved, feedback from company or client that objectives were met or surpassed? Did the project “move the needle” or achieve something that was not previously achieved? The results should be measurable beyond “media impressions” to verify that achievements/goals were met.

Quality of Entry (maximum of 20 points):

Overall excellence in writing and presentation of the entry and work submitted should be evaluated. What makes this entry worthy of a Gold or Silver Trumpet? How did the entry or campaign maximize results through solid, tactical PR work, use an innovative approach or achieve results that exceeded expectations?

Additionally, each entry must have a short title and description.

Please note: Sloppiness or excessive typos or narrative that do not address the above criteria are grounds for disqualification.

DISQUALIFICATION

Entries failing to follow the guidelines and requirements outlines in the Call for Entries will be disqualified. Absolutely no refunds will be given.

ARE MULTILINGUAL CAMPAIGNS WELCOME?

PCC encourages the submission of multilingual campaigns. Accompanying English translations are required.

Winners will be notified no later than Wednesday, July 3, 2020.

The 61st Golden Trumpet Awards ceremony will be taking place in the Summer of 2020.