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P I N N A C L E

Call for Entries

Individual Awards

The Pinnacle Awards are our Chapter ’s annual awards program to recognize the best work in the public relat ions industr y. The Pinnacle Awards are open to members and non-members of al l exper ience levels. For professional entr ies, work must have been init iated and completed during 2016. For student entr ies, work must have been completed bet ween the Spr ing 2016 and Spr ing 2017 semesters.

Entries will be accepted starting Jan. 9, 2017, at www.PRSAHoosier.org/Pinnacle-Awards.

Entry Deadlines

Early: Jan. 20• Members: $60• Non-members: $85• Students: $35

PRSA Hoosier Junior Pro Award – $25/entr y

An award presented to a PR professional under 30 years old in a role requir ing communication and/or marketing job func tions. The nominee should have demonstrated excellence in projec t management sk il ls, a s trong work ethic, a posit ive at t i tude and wil l ingness to learn. One nomination let ter must be submit ted by a super visor, co-worker or cl ient that descr ibes up to two exemplar y work achievements in detail. Nominees may be PRSA members, non-members or Indiana clients.

Judges wi l l use the fol lowing cr i ter ia to score each nominee:

• Nominee works daily in a communications role• Within the work description, nominee exemplifies positive

attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn• Nominee demonstrates the application and

understanding of PR functionsMaximum word count : 8 0 0 words

PRSA Hoosier PR Catalyst Award – $25/entr y

An award presented to an indiv idual in honor of his or her exemplar y use of ethical, as tute and creat ive publ ic relat ions. To qual i f y, nominees must ei ther have at leas t 10 years of exper ience in a role requir ing communicat ion and/or market ing job func t ion or been involved in at leas t one PRSA Hoosier commit tee or board posi t ion. A nominat ion let ter should descr ibe how the nominee suppor t s use of the PR method. Nominees must also show a s t rong commitment to the advancement of the profession, and wi l l be selec ted based on work per formed in thei r cur rent job, contr ibut ions to communit y and commitment to professional grow th. Nominees may be PRSA members or non-members.

Judges wi l l use the fol lowing cr i ter ia to score each nominee:

• Nominee demonstrates a model understanding of the PR method

• Nominee exhibits a strategic mindset in daily job duties• Nominee demonstrates commitment to advancing

the profession• Nominee demonstrates contributions to the community• Nominee provides an example of professional growth

Maximum word count : 8 0 0 words

PRSA Hoosier APR of the Year – $25/entr y

An award presented to an APR member of the Hoosier Chapter. An honoree wi l l be chosen based on a nominat ion let ter explaining an ins tance when APR pr inc iples were appl ied in a s t rategic and ethical way. Nominat ions may be submit ted by col leagues, peers, employers or c l ient s.

Judges wi l l use the fol lowing cr i ter ia to score each nominee:

• Nominee provides outstanding example of application of APR principles in his or her current work

• Nominee demonstrates clear understanding of APR distinction• Nominee demonstrates commitment to continuing

PR education• Nominee encourages others to earn an APR• Nominee serves the PRSA Hoosier chapter

Maximum word count : 8 0 0 words

Standard: Feb. 1• Members: $75• Non-members: $10 0• Students: $50

Late: Feb. 6• Members: $115• Non-members: $140• Students: $75

Professional Entries

Entries may be submitted in the Programs or Projects category. More than one entry may be submitted by an organization, and individual tactics of a submitted program may also be entered in the Projects category. Pinnacle Awards and Awards of Honor will be given based on a point scale, and each category is not exclusive to a single winner. A “Best in Show” will also be honored for the highest scoring entry in each of the Programs and Projects categories.

Program entries should include a two-page summary plus any appropriate supporting documentation, while project entries should include a one-page summary plus any appropriate samples of work. Summaries should address the four facets of any successful campaign — research, planning, execution and evaluation. Entries can earn up to 50 points — 10 points per category plus 10 points for judge’s overall impression.

Pm-1 Crisis Communications – A campaign undertaken to deal with an accident, natural disaster or other emergency situation that has had or may have an extraordinary impact on an organization.

Pm-2 External Communications – A public outreach campaign targeted to a stakeholder, other than the media (e.g. investors, community relations, a subset of the general populations, etc.). In this category, a consumer product or service is not being sold.

Pm-3 Internal Communications – A campaign to improve relations with publics directly allied with an organization (e.g. employees, members or other such affiliated groups).

Pm-4 Marketing Communications – A campaign that employs a mix of public relations, advertising and marketing strategies and tactics to introduce or promote a product or service to a consumer or business audience.

Pm-5 Media Relations – A campaign centralized around the use of media relations strategies to generate coverage for a person, product, service, topic, cause or organization. Results must show successful incorporation of key messages from a minimum of three tactics.

Pm-6 Public Affairs – A campaign to influence public policy or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies, so the entity funding the program benefits. This may be at a local, state or federal government level.

Pm-7 Social Media – A campaign executed online using a minimum of three social media applications to inform a public, grow a membership base, or promote a product or service. Submit screenshots of each application in use throughout the campaign.

Pm-8 Special Events – An event to honor, commemorate, celebrate or recognize something. The duration of this event may be a single day to a full year.

ProgramsMultifaceted campaigns that use several strategies and tactics to reach an objective. These include special events, social media programs, marketing communications efforts and more. Please see the professional programs categories below for more details.

Students will be judged in a separate category from practicing professionals. The project or program being judged must be the work of the student, and the entry should be written by the student. More than one entry may be submitted by a student or group of students who worked together on the program or project. Pinnacle Awards and Awards of Honor will be given based on a point scale, and each category is not exclusive to a single winner. A “Best in Show” will also be honored for the highest scoring entry in each of the Programs and Projects categories.

Program entries should include a two-page summary plus any appropriate supporting documentation, while project entries should include a one-page summary plus any appropriate samples of work. Summaries should address the four facets of any successful campaign — research, planning, execution and evaluation. Entries can earn up to 50 points — 10 points per category plus 10 points for judge’s overall impression.

If the program or project was not implemented or evaluated, please describe clearly how the tactic would have been implemented and evaluated, and note on your application that the project was not carried out. All entries will be given equal weight, regardless of whether or not they were implemented.

Student Entries

ProjectsA single tactic developed as an individual component of a comprehensive campaign. These include collateral materials, editorial and feature writing, social media applications and more. Please see the professional projects categories below for more details.

Pj-1 Annual Report – A publication that reports on an organization’s annual performance. Submit one copy.

Pj-2 Audiovisual – An audio or video production targeted toward an internal or external public. Submit one copy.

Pj-3 Printed Collateral – A brochure, flier or direct mailer designed to inform a public about an organization, product, service or issue. Submit one copy.

Pj-4 Electronic and Digital Communications – An interactive communications tactic including Web sites, e-newsletters, intranets, mobile applications, etc. If Web-based, submit an active URL. If not Web-based, submit a single set of screenshots.

Pj-5 Feature/Editorial Writing – An original article, column or essay written to entertain or educate a public about a specific person, organization or topic. Submit one copy.

Pj-6 Media Relations – A single media relations tactic used to generate media coverage for a person, product, service, topic or an organization. Submit one copy of your press release, press kit, video news release or other tactic.

Pj-7 Newsletter/Magazine – A multi-page publication published on a regular basis. Both content and design will be judged. Submit one copy of three consecutive issues.

Pj-8 Project Writing – Writing for a special project, including but not limited to: speeches, scripts, advertising copy, collateral material and Web site copy. Submit one copy.

Pj-9 Social Media – The use of a single social media platform to inform a public, grow a membership base or promote a product or service. Submit a single set of screenshots.