Now that you've heard what makes a winning entry from a judge's perspective (see previous 3 posts below), you'd probably like to see what a winning entry actually LOOKS like!
We are currently in the process of collecting 2007 winning entries from various categories to share with you online. Check back in the next week or so to get the links!
1.28.2008
FINAL TIPS FROM A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE
Below are Nicole's final two tips, from her experience judging award entries from other PRSA chapers. We hope you find them helpful as you assemble your entries! Don't forget that entries are due by Friday, February 8! Refer to your CFE for all the details.
Tip #5: Less is absolutely more.
Judges should but do not focus on every word you’ve penned in your write up. Write concisely and aim for impact. Hit them with the situation and the cold, hard facts. Don’t use 10 or 11 or even 11.5 point type to make it fit. Rethink what a tired, weary stranger would find interesting and relevant and cut out the rest.
Tip #6: Use what you know about graphic design.
When you write less, you’ll free up more white space, which gives the eye a break. Instead of having three solid inches of copy under “research,” break the contents up into three smaller paragraphs with spaces between them. Pull goals, objectives and results out of the body copy to make them stand out. And bullets do this best:
• To increase the number of donations by 10% between September and December, 2007
• To decrease the number of complaints by 50% between March and August, 2007
Design Elements for Writers
Use your numbers, dollar signs and percent signs to help “carry” a judge’s eye through the copy. If they start skimming, they will stop and look at those elements. And breaking up the page with headings and lines does wonders for making the contents of the page more readable.
Tip #5: Less is absolutely more.
Judges should but do not focus on every word you’ve penned in your write up. Write concisely and aim for impact. Hit them with the situation and the cold, hard facts. Don’t use 10 or 11 or even 11.5 point type to make it fit. Rethink what a tired, weary stranger would find interesting and relevant and cut out the rest.
Tip #6: Use what you know about graphic design.
When you write less, you’ll free up more white space, which gives the eye a break. Instead of having three solid inches of copy under “research,” break the contents up into three smaller paragraphs with spaces between them. Pull goals, objectives and results out of the body copy to make them stand out. And bullets do this best:
• To increase the number of donations by 10% between September and December, 2007
• To decrease the number of complaints by 50% between March and August, 2007
Design Elements for Writers
Use your numbers, dollar signs and percent signs to help “carry” a judge’s eye through the copy. If they start skimming, they will stop and look at those elements. And breaking up the page with headings and lines does wonders for making the contents of the page more readable.
1.24.2008
MORE TIPS FROM A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE
Today we bring you part 2 of Nicole's tips on what makes a winning entry.
Tip #3: Make the tactic or program obvious and accessible.
Don’t bury it in the back of the book after 25 pages of research and evaluation statistics. After all, judges really want to see your work and making them dig through the book to find it is frustrating.
Tip #4: Low budget doesn’t have to mean low impact.
It’s an unfortunate truth that low-budget pieces (although certainly not always low impact by default) have to really shine to compete with those four-color glossy embossed and dye cut pieces. The less visual impact a piece has, the more effort you need to put into getting it up front, accessible and clutter-free. So don’t force a 16-page black and white tabloid into a plastic sheet protector in the back of your book. Get it up front.
Two more tips to go! Check back for the latest information on all things Mercury.
Tip #3: Make the tactic or program obvious and accessible.
Don’t bury it in the back of the book after 25 pages of research and evaluation statistics. After all, judges really want to see your work and making them dig through the book to find it is frustrating.
Tip #4: Low budget doesn’t have to mean low impact.
It’s an unfortunate truth that low-budget pieces (although certainly not always low impact by default) have to really shine to compete with those four-color glossy embossed and dye cut pieces. The less visual impact a piece has, the more effort you need to put into getting it up front, accessible and clutter-free. So don’t force a 16-page black and white tabloid into a plastic sheet protector in the back of your book. Get it up front.
Two more tips to go! Check back for the latest information on all things Mercury.
1.22.2008
TIPS FROM A JUDGE'S PERSPECTIVE
This entry is first in a series of tips provided by Nicole Stonecypher (BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina) in a previous SCPRSA luncheon, "My Work is Great, Why Didn't I Win That Award?" Nicole has judged entries by other PRSA chapter members and provides her perspective on what makes a winning entry.
Tip #1: Books are judged by their covers.
Use a cover page for your binder that contains all the entry information, entrant, agency, client and specific category. I hate to say it, but graphical elements (your company logo, PRSA chapter logo) make it appear that you took the time to be concerned with the total package. Or design a company template for all your entries that includes those elements. The judges will think your company/agency has it together and therefore that you have it together.
Tip #2: Don’t go overboard inside the book.
If you’re entering a tactic for Silver Wing, you don’t need a cover page and six divider pages – without tabs. Just give them your summary, your one-page write up, your tactic then any supporting materials. For Mercury and more comprehensive pieces, dividers with clearly labeled tabs do wonders for a judge’s patience.
Tip #1: Books are judged by their covers.
Use a cover page for your binder that contains all the entry information, entrant, agency, client and specific category. I hate to say it, but graphical elements (your company logo, PRSA chapter logo) make it appear that you took the time to be concerned with the total package. Or design a company template for all your entries that includes those elements. The judges will think your company/agency has it together and therefore that you have it together.
Tip #2: Don’t go overboard inside the book.
If you’re entering a tactic for Silver Wing, you don’t need a cover page and six divider pages – without tabs. Just give them your summary, your one-page write up, your tactic then any supporting materials. For Mercury and more comprehensive pieces, dividers with clearly labeled tabs do wonders for a judge’s patience.
1.16.2008
CALL FOR ENTRIES ONLINE!
The Call for Entries for the 2008 Mercury Awards is now available online. Check it out!
1.14.2008
SUPPORT THE MERCURY AWARDS!
Please consider partnering with us to champion excellence in public relations. As a sponsor, you receive several benefits including event tickets, promotion to our listserv of more than 1,000 PR and marketing practitioners in South Carolina, print and web advertising and more. Our sponsor levels and advertising rates can fit any budget.
Platinum Sponsor | $1,500 and above
• 4 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Signage and podium recognition at the event
• Logo in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+) and on www.scprsa.org
• Logo and feature on Mercury Awards blog
• Full-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
• Inclusion in media relations (news releases, etc.)
Gold Sponsor | $1,000
• 2 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Signage and podium recognition at the event
• Logo in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), and on www.scprsa.org
• Logo and feature on Mercury Awards blog
• Half-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
Silver Sponsor | $500
• 2 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Podium recognition at the event
• Name listed in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), www.scprsa.org and Mercury Awards blog
• Quarter-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
Bronze Sponsor | $250
• Podium recognition at the event
• Name listed in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), www.scprsa.organd Mercury Awards blog
• Quarter-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
In-Kind Sponsor | as negotiated
Want something a little simpler?
Purchase an ad in the Mercury Awards commemorative booklet!
Ad rates are as follows:
Full-Page | $300
Half-Page | $150
Quarter-Page | $75
Please contact Allison Skipper, 2008 Mercury Awards Chair, at (843) 577-8121 or askipper@scspa.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities, or to submit your ad for the commemorative booklet.
Platinum Sponsor | $1,500 and above
• 4 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Signage and podium recognition at the event
• Logo in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+) and on www.scprsa.org
• Logo and feature on Mercury Awards blog
• Full-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
• Inclusion in media relations (news releases, etc.)
Gold Sponsor | $1,000
• 2 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Signage and podium recognition at the event
• Logo in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), and on www.scprsa.org
• Logo and feature on Mercury Awards blog
• Half-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
Silver Sponsor | $500
• 2 complimentary tickets, Mercury Awards banquet
• Podium recognition at the event
• Name listed in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), www.scprsa.org and Mercury Awards blog
• Quarter-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
Bronze Sponsor | $250
• Podium recognition at the event
• Name listed in SCPRSA blast e-mails (distribution of 1,000+), www.scprsa.organd Mercury Awards blog
• Quarter-page ad and listing in Mercury Awards commemorative booklet
In-Kind Sponsor | as negotiated
Want something a little simpler?
Purchase an ad in the Mercury Awards commemorative booklet!
Ad rates are as follows:
Full-Page | $300
Half-Page | $150
Quarter-Page | $75
Please contact Allison Skipper, 2008 Mercury Awards Chair, at (843) 577-8121 or askipper@scspa.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities, or to submit your ad for the commemorative booklet.
1.10.2008
CALL FOR ENTRIES NEXT WEEK
Get ready! Our Call for Entries is slated for distribution next week! Remember that the campaign or tactic you enter must have been completed January 1-December 31, 2007. Be sure to bookmark this site and check back to get the latest information. In the meantime, check out last year's winners.
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