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Honoring the Best of Northwestern Pennsylvania’s Public Relations Practices

2015

PRSA Northwestern Pennsylvania Niagara Awards for Professionals and Students

Awards LuncheonSheraton Erie Bayfront HotelNovember 12, 2015

Deadline for entries: October 12, 2015

The PRSA/NWPA Niagara Awards are awarded annually to public relations practitioners who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. We have also created a competition for students attending colleges in Pennsylvania. Students or PRSA chapters may enter any program or project category.

The PRSA Niagara Awards recognize complete public relations programs and projects incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. Winning entries must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession. A Best of Show Award will be given to the entry that stands out from the rest. Be sure you indicate whether you want a signature award, if your entry wins.

If you have any questions about the categories, contact Ed Stevens, APR+M at Stevens Strategic Communications at 440.617.0100 Ext. 201 or estevens@stevensstrategic.com or Marissa Orbanek at 267.408.5151 at marissaorbanek@generalmclane.org.

1. Community Relations Programs or projects that seek to win the support or cooperation of, or that aim to improve relations with, people or organizations in communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity. “Community” in this category refers to a specific geographic location or locations (Campaigns designed to promote products should be entered in Marketing Consumer Products or Services).

2. Institutional Programs Programs or projects affecting an organization’s stature, reputation or relations with its publics or key elements of its publics.

3. Special Events and Observances Events may be commemorations, observances, openings, celebrations or other special activities and must occur within a time span of one week.

4. Public Service and Public Affairs Programs or projects that advance public understanding of a societal issue, problem or concern (Similar programs, conducted principally to enhance an organization’s standing or to otherwise serve its interest directly, will ordinarily fall under Institutional Programs). Also includes programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies at the local, state or federal government levels so that the entity funding the program benefits.

5. Marketing Consumer Products or Services Programs or projects designed to introduce new or promote existing services to a consumer audience.

6. Marketing Business to Business Programs or projects designed to introduce new or promote existing products or services to a business audience.

7. Global Communications Any type of program (i.e., institutional, marketing, special events) sponsored by a U.S. organization or an organization with a U.S. presence, which demonstrates effective communications implemented in two or more countries.

8. Crisis Communications Programs or projects undertaken to deal with an event that has had or may have an extraordinary impact on an organization’s reputation.

9. Internal Communications Programs or projects targeted specifically to special publics directly allied with an organization (ex., employees, members, affiliated dealers or franchises).

10. Investor Relations Programs or projects directed to shareowners, other investors and the investment community.

11. Multicultural Public Relations Any type of program (i.e., institutional, marketing or community relations projects) specifically targeted to a cultural group.

12. Integrated Communications A program that employs the creative and effective integration and leadership of public relations strategies and tactics with other promotional marketing communications. It should demonstrate the integration of strategies, plus the budget and measurement of return on investment of the communications to any stakeholder group including employees, consumers, the media and shareholders.

13. Interactive Communications (Social Media) New, creative or unconventional use of technology in a public relations program. Submit an entry form including Web address, objectives, target audience, techniques, budget and results. Entrants should include “screen grabs” or print copies of key webpages in case connection with sites during judging fails. Entrants submitting a flash drive should submit the drive along with the entry form.

14. Media Relations. Dealing with the media regarding a specific product, organization or service.

15. Internal or External Newsletters. Print or digital.

16. Magazines. Can be electronic or print.

17. Annual Reports. Open to for-profit and non-profit organizations.

18. Brochures. Printed or downloaded.

PRSA Niagara Award Categories

PROGRAMS: Major public relations efforts with measureable results.

PROJECTS: Single public relations activities supporting an organization’s established objectives.

Each entrant must designate on the entry form the category that is most appropriate for the entrant’s program and the organization that funded it. Judges cannot transfer entries to other categories and will eliminate entries submitted in an obviously incorrect category.

It is possible that an entry could be appropriate for more than one category. In deciding which category or categories are most appropriate, entrants should examine program objectives and target audiences. The same entry fee will be assessed for every category in which an entry is placed. A new entry form is required for each category.

Entries are not returned and become the property of PRSA. Entry fees are not refundable. Winning entries are kept for professional reference of the NW Pennsylvania Chapter of PRSA. The decision of the judges is final.

Remember to enclose the following:• Entry Fee• Entry Form• Entry

• Videos are not accepted as a component of entries. However, transcripts, storyboards or screen grabs may be submitted (optional).

• Please limit your entry to a one-inch binder or just the entry form with attachments.

PRSA will notify you of receipt of your entry by e-mail. A listing of the finalists will also be sent to you in this manner after they have been determined. The e-mail address you provide when entering the competition will be the address used for these purposes. Winners will be notified prior to the awards luncheon on November 12, 2015.

Deliver your entry and completed entry form and check to:

PRSA Niagara Awards c/o Erie Community Foundation 459 W. 6th Street Erie, PA 16507

$45 for each entry - non-members$35 for each entry - members

Entry fees are payable by a check or money order (U.S. funds only) to PRSA NWPA Chapter for each entry in the amount of:

$25 for nonprofit entry - members/nonmembers and PRSSA members and students attending Pennsylvania Colleges

Contact John Blicha at jblicha@eriez.com to be invoiced electronically and pay your entry fee by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal accepted). A small processing fee (4%) will apply.

19. Advertising. Print, TV, radio or social.

20. Press Kits/Media Kits. Digital or print.

21. Direct Mail/Direct Response. Digital or print.

22. Video News Release. Digital or print.

23. Audio Video Programs. Submit print, link or disk/flash drive.

24. PSAs. Print, TV, radio or social.

25. Social Media. Can be one or more social media platforms.

26. Speeches. Provide script.

27. Feature Stories. Submit article as is appeared in media.

28. Editorials/Op-Ed Columns/Advertorials. Submit article as it appeared.

29. Interactive Communications. Provide link or disk/flash drive.

30. Research and Evaluation. Provide research report.

Entry Information

NOTE: Winners will receive an award certificate unless you agree to pay $75 for each signature Niagara Award you earn.

Strategy (optional for projects):

Tactics:

Results (Attachments are optional):

Deadline for entries: October 12, 2015 • DON’T FORGET YOUR CHECK •

Name:

Situation (not necessary for projects):

PRSA Niagara Award Entry Form

Objectives (not necessary for projects):

Email (must be included in order to be notified of receipt):

I have read and agree to abide by the rules of the competition as administered by PRSA.

Business Telephone: Fax:

City: State: Zip:

Address:

Company:

Title:

Yes – PRSA I PRSSA Member # (required):

Please refer to your Member ID card or contact Member Services at PRSA.

Person authorized to submit the entry: Yes____ No____ Student Entry____

Name(s) of assisting agency/agencies or counseling/firms(s), if any:

Name(s) of organization(s) for which the program was conducted:

Category Number (1-30): Title of your entry:

Signature Niagara Awards are available for $75 each. ( ) I would like a signature award, if I win, at $75.

( ) I am happy to receive a certificate of merit at no additional charge. ( ) I want a duplicate award, if I win, at a cost of $75

Deadline for receipt by PRSA is 5:00 pm Monday, October 12, 2015. No extensions will be granted.

Entrant’s Signature: