Materials completed between January 2010 and December 2011 will be accepted for the 2012 competition.
Submittal requirements vary depending on category. Read individual
category descriptions below for submittal requirement details.
If submitting digital files, please save files to USB flash drive, CD, or DVD that are Microsoft Windows compatible and place in binder. If submitting print files, please save as PDFs.
Entries that fail to follow submittal requirements will be penalized. Jurors’ decisions are final.
1. ADVERTISING
An individual advertisement or ad campaign, any size, color or black and white, placed in business, trade, or general-interest publications (print or digital).
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the ad, or one copy of each ad if a series.
2. ANNUAL REPORT*
A print or digital publication containing a company’s annual highlights and financial results.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the annual report. If submitting digital files, please include three copies of a printout of the electronic annual report and a disk containing the annual report PDF for viewing.
3. BOOK/MONOGRAPH
A complete printed publication that addresses an issue of relevance to the A/E/C industry or features the work of a firm. The publication must have an unlimited shelf life and be professionally produced for mass distribution. A monograph is a single-authored, one-time publication on a specific, often limited subject.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the book/monograph.
4. eBOOK
A complete digital publication that addresses an issue of relevance to
the A/E/C industry or features the work of a firm.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the ebook printed out and a disk containing the ebook PDF for viewing.
5. BROCHURE*
A print or digital publication describing your firm’s general capabilities. A brochure has limited shelf life, as a firm’s capabilities, staff, and projects change over time.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the printed brochure, or three copies of a printout of the electronic brochure and a disk containing the brochure PDF for viewing.
6. CORPORATE IDENTITY
A consistent graphic image applied to your firm’s print and/or digital collateral materials.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and before-and-after representative sampling of materials that convey your firm’s corporate identity. May include logo application such as letterhead, business cards, brochures, newsletters, and note cards. If available, the corporate identity manual or graphics standards should be included.
7. DIRECT-MAIL CAMPAIGN*
Marketing materials designed to reach a specific target audience through a print or digital campaign. A direct-mail campaign may include form letters, pamphlets, postcards, emails, and announcements.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and all the pieces in a series of mailings. If the campaign was conducted via email, please save the pieces on a disk, print samples of all pieces, and include both in the submittal binder.
8. FEATURE WRITING
An article or white paper published in print or online, written by a member of the firm, to meet a public relations objective.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the article.
HOLIDAY PIECE (SEE SPECIAL EVENT)
9. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Any communications vehicle intended for an employee audience, including but not limited to a recognition program, awards program, intranets, or communications associated with mergers, acquisitions, or new business-line initiatives. May be print or digital. (Category does not include employee newsletters; see Category 13. Category now includes Internal Web sites or intranets.)
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials or a disk containing files for viewing.
10. MAGAZINE*
A printed or digital serial publication or periodical in editorial format that presents one or more points of view.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the three most recent issues of the magazine. If submitting digital files, please include three copies of a printout of an electronic magazine and a disk containing the magazine PDF for viewing.
11. MEDIA RELATIONS CAMPAIGN
A strategic communications effort that uses media relations tactics and outreach—media releases, feature articles, backgrounders, opinion/editorial (op-ed) pieces, editorial meetings are some examples—to achieve a specific marketing, business development or corporate image goal. This category focuses solely on outreach and success with the media and may include print and/or electronic components.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of your media relations plan that outlines goals and objectives. Samples of placements and other results must be included.
12. NEWSLETTER–EXTERNAL*
An external, client-focused publication designed in a newsletter format and produced via print or electronic media.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the last three issues of the newsletter. If an electronic newsletter, please include in the submittal binder a disk containing the last three issues of the publication as PDFs and three print samples of each newsletter.
13. NEWSLETTER–INTERNAL*
An internal, employee-focused publication designed in a newsletter format and produced via print or electronic media. NOTE: If the newsletter is being used for retention purposes, please enter it into the Recruitment and Retention Communications category.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of the last three issues of the newsletter. If an electronic newsletter, please include in the submittal binder a disk containing the last three issues of the publication as PDFs and three print samples of each newsletter.
14. PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN
A comprehensive, multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended period of time to promote a specific company message, event, program, or project. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and media—print, digital or multimedia—and implementation strategies.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and three copies of your promotional plan describing campaign focus and objectives. Submit one copy of any collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media relations was part of the campaign, please submit one copy of releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. If any tactic (trade show display, for example) cannot fit into the binder, please submit a photograph.
15. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMUNICATIONS
A program designed to recruit potential and retain current firm employees through print and/or electronic communications. The communications vehicles may include ads, brochures, form letters, pamphlets, postcards, announcements, e-mail promotions, and more.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and all the pieces in the communications program. Please save any electronic pieces on a disk, print samples, and include both in the binder.
16. SOCIAL MEDIA
A program that utilizes online social media tools to provide a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and user interaction. Examples of social media include blogs; networking sites (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook); content-sharing sites (e.g., Del.icio.us, YouTube, Flickr); or news sites (e.g., Digg, Reddit); to name a few.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement. Please save screen shots of Web-based pages on a disk, print samples, and include both in the binder.
17. SPECIAL EVENT (INCLUDES HOLIDAY PIECES)*
A print or digital piece produced for one-time use to promote a special event such as an anniversary, new name, office opening, dedication, or ground breaking. Holiday pieces are also included in this category, such as a card, party invitation, client appreciation gift,
calendar, etc. produced for one-time use during a specific holiday.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials. If submitting digital files, please include three copies of a printout of an electronic piece and a disk containing the print file as PDFs for viewing. Please send materials in the original packaging if possible. Materials that do not fit in the binder should be photographed.
18. SPECIFIC PROJECT MARKETING*
An item or series of items developed in support of winning one specific project. Materials may be print and/or digital and include qualification packages, proposals, PowerPoint presentations, leave-behinds, or anything else that contributed to the total effort.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of the materials. If submitting digital files, please include three copies of a printout
of electronic pieces and a disk containing the print files as PDFs for viewing. Materials that do not fit in the binder should be photographed.
19. TRADESHOW MARKETING
Communication pieces created to promote a firm’s attendance at trade show exhibits or used during the tradeshow to attract booth traffic. Materials may be print and/or digital.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement and one copy of produced materials. Materials that do not fit in the binder should be photographed. Please save any electronic pieces on a disk, print samples, and include both in the binder.
20. VIDEO
A program that utilizes video, podcasts, video/audio, or audio as the primary means of communication. Video programs are filmed communications, with or without audio. Podcasts are a series of audio or video programs, often downloadable for play on portable media players (e.g., iPods, MP3 players).
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement. Please submit video/podcast on CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. For Podcasts, please submit two consecutive podcast episodes.
21. WEB SITE
An external, public Web site that either promotes your firm or has been launched by your firm for a specific project. Internal Web sites or intranets should be submitted under the Internal Communications category.
Submittal Requirements: Three copies of the clarification statement that include your web address. While judges will visit your site, please print and include in the submittal binder 5–10 pages of your Web site including your home page. Web pages will be viewed using the latest version of Internet Explorer.
* Print and digital entries within this category will be judged, and may be awarded, separately.
There is no limit to the number of categories a firm can enter. Multiple entries receive a discount per entry off the regular entry fee.
For Assistance
Contact Molly Dall’Erta, SMPS National, at molly@smps.org or 1.800.292.7677, x231.