One of the most important—if not the most important—signifiers of the success of a PR agency is a client saying, “Thanks for the great work, let’s do it again next year and here’s an increase in your budget.” That’s great news for you and your team members, but what you really need to spread the news is amplification and peer validation.

That’s where PR News’ newly launched Agency A-List Awards come in. We are going to showcase the top PR agencies by practice area at an awards luncheon event in New York City in September 2013, and now is the time to secure a place for your agency on the A-List. The winners of PR News’ Agency A-List Awards will be setting benchmarks of excellence in client PR efforts. Please share with us your client success stories and tell us why—through clear explanations of objectives and measures of success—your agency belongs on the A-List.

Categories

By Practice Area:

  • Advocacy
  • Branding
  • Business to Business
  • Cause/CSR
  • Community Relations
  • Consumer Marketing
  • Content Marketing
  • Crisis Management
  • Digital/Social Media
  • Financial Communications
  • Integrated Communications
  • Issues Management
  • Labor Relations
  • Marketing Communications
  • Marketing to Youth
  • Marketing to Women
  • Marketing to Latinos
  • Measurement/Evaluation
  • Media Relations
  • Media Training
  • Multicultural Marketing
  • Nonprofit/Association
  • Public Affairs
  • Product Launch
  • Publicity
  • Reputation Management
  • Search Engine Optimization/Marketing
  • Word of Mouth/Viral
  • Writing/Editing

PR Agency Internal and Promotional Categories: These categories are for programs, initiatives and products that promote the business growth of an agency and advancement of its employees, community involvement and proprietary products. These categories do not encompass work done for clients.

  • Best Training/Education Program
  • Diversity Initiatives
  • Proprietary Software/Client Solutions
  • Promotion of Firm (marketing, advertising, PR)
  • Internal Communications
  • Web site
  • Community Relations/Volunteer Programs

Agency People "Awe" Awards:

If you are entering someone in the Agency People “Awe” awards, please write a one- to two-page synopsis explaining how this person has raised the bar on creativity, strategy and execution for his or her agency, or how this person has gone above and beyond for their agency or for clients. Agency professionals of all titles can apply. Multiple winners will be selected. **Self-nominations are accepted.

 

Deadlines/Entry Fee

Deadline:  March 15, 2013 
Late Deadline: Friday,  March 22, 2013
All entries must be submitted by Friday, March 22, 2013.

For entries submitted between March 16 and March 22, 2013, please add a $225 late fee per entry. Finalists will be notified in late April and honored in September in New York City.

Entry Fees
The price of each primary entry is $350. If you submit the same entry into multiple categories, the additional fee is $225 per category. Late entry surcharge of $225 per entry. Payment in full must accompany the entry. 

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable. 

 

 

Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible, the campaigns or PR initiatives you are highlighting must have taken place (either in part or in full) between January 1, 2011, and February 1, 2013.  Some of the work must have occurred during this time, but it's not necessary for it to be completed during the eligibility period.

FAQs: 

  • How are the entries judged?
    Entries are judged by a blue chip panel of corporate, agency and academic executives as well as by the staff of PR News. We evaluate your entry based on creativity, innovation, sound planning, implementation and outcomes. The most important criterion is proven success in aligning your strategic objectives with your end goals.
  • When will I be notified about the status of my entry?
    You will be contacted by PR News staff regarding your entry only if you are named a finalist in the award program. Finalists will be notified in late April 2013 and announced in PR News and on www.prnewsonline.com.
  • Can I enter my campaign in more than one category?
    Yes. Please include separate written entries for each category. Also, there is no limit to number of campaigns you can enter.
  • How do I increase my chances of winning an award?
    Emphasize the goals of your campaign as well as your campaign’s achievements in your introduction. Provide as many concrete and specific examples of success as possible, and explain clearly and succinctly your research, planning, implementation and measurement of the campaign or ongoing initiative.
  • Must we include our campaign budget?
    It’s not a requirement, but it helps the judges to better compare your campaign against other entries. Include at least a reasonable budget range. The judges always take into account the campaign budget relative to the goals and outcome. All information is confidential and will not be published.
  • What is your Federal  tax ID number?
    52–2270063
  • W-9 Form

 

Questions

For general questions regarding the Agency A-List Awards, please contact Mary-Lou French at mfrench@accessintel.com; 301-354-1851.

For sponsorship of the PR News Agency A-List Awards, please contact Diane Schwartz at 212-621-4964 or dschwartz@accessintel.com.

 

 

 

 

Entry Deadline:
March 15, 2013

 

Late Entry Deadline:
March 22, 2013

AwardsLuncheon:
September 2013 in NYC

Enter Online Now!

Who Should Enter?

The Agency A-List Awards are open to all PR agencies in the U.S. and Canada. They honor the top agencies based on overall performance/outcomes and top campaigns. Below are the types of agencies that are eligible to enter:
  • Sole practitioner
  • Boutique (annual PR revenues under $5 million)
  • Small (annual PR revenues between $5 million and $10 million)
  • Midsize (annual PR revenues between $10 million and $60 million)
  • Large (annual PR revenues above $60 million)

How to Enter

Enter Online: To complete an entry, all materials (including supporting materials) must be submitted online. The online entry portal will walk you through the registration process, and then the nomination process.You may upload a word document or PDF that includes your full synopsis or entry, but please be sure to only upload it once. In the text boxes, please write "See synopsis attached."*If you enter online, you do not need to send any materials via mail. You'll upload your supporting materials etc. to your online entry form(s). 

At the beginning of your two-page synopsis, the following information must be listed:

  • Category entered

  • Name of agency being entered in the A-List Awards (as it would appear on your award), or name, title and company of person being entered for Agency People “Awe” award

  • Key contact for entry

  • Organization submitting entry

  • Budget information for campaigns highlighted (All budget information is strictly confidential and will not be published w/o expressed permission. Including budget information is not a requirement to enter the awards).

Your Synopsis-

In your two-page synopsis for Agency A-List entry, include the following, using these sub-headings: 

  • Campaign summaries: A summary of successfully executed PR campaigns within the past year, clearly detailing campaign objectives, strategy/tactics and measures of success 

  • Unique best practices applied to all agency work on behalf of clients

  • Client testimonials

Please attach any supporting materials would show evidence of the success of your agency’s campaigns. This can be any of the following: sales figures, media coverage, clippings, photos, research documents and client testimonials. 

Agency People "Awe" Awards

If you are entering someone in the Agency People “Awe” awards, please write a one- to two-page synopsis explaining how this person has raised the bar on creativity, strategy and execution for his or her agency, or how this person has gone above and beyond for their agency or for clients. Agency professionals of all titles can apply. Multiple winners will be selected.