ENTRY DEADLINE: DEC 10 | FINAL DEADLINE: DEC 17
In our efforts to take our diversity and inclusion initiatives beyond simply reporting or posting a black square in solidarity, we have turned our attention to the PR industry as a whole and the role we might play in impacting industry-wide change.
We see so much talent in this industry that often goes unnoticed and underrepresented. That is why we are launching a new awards program for 2020, the PRNEWS Diversity Awards. We hope that this program will serve as a platform to recognize more communicators from diverse multicultural backgrounds, PR pros from all genders and sexual orientations and those with disabilities. The Diversity Awards strive to amplify the voices and talents of professionals from marginalized communities and serve as a celebration of the social efforts PR pros make every day to ensure an inclusive future for the industry.
Recognizing these talents can serve as the start of a conversation around how we can diversify PR and communications. Please join us in recognizing the talents that have revolutionized our field and that have broken down barriers for persons of color, disabled persons and the LGBTQIA communities.
Honors communicators who have used their platforms to shed light on issues affecting their communities, made contributions to fostering diversity within their fields, shown commitment to the value of diversity, and worked toward promoting inclusive initiatives. Must identify as a community member of the category to which you are applying.
Subcategories:
Honors communicators who have used their platform to aid in improving the lives of marginalized persons and shown consistent commitment to diversity and inclusion causes.
Honors communicators and communications educators who have shown long standing commitment to the development and career trajectory of their mentees.
This award honors an undergraduate or graduate student from an HBCU who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and demonstrated interest in the fields of communication and PR.
This award honors an undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and demonstrated interest in the fields of communication and PR.
This award honors a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and demonstrated interest in the fields of communication and PR.
Honors teaching professionals that teach subjects in the area of communications, media, and PR. Winners of this award inspire and have positive impacts on the lives of their students.
Honors HBCU teaching professionals that teach subjects in the area of communications, media, and PR. Winners of this award inspire and have positive impacts on the lives of their students.
Honors diverse teams of professionals that have tackled some of the biggest challenges using innovative and effective PR strategies.
Honors programs that have helped future communicators advance in their careers. This award recognizes a successful diversity promotion program that has been in place for at least 2 years and has made a sustained and measurable impact on a company’s ratio of diverse employees.
Honors the efforts, initiatives or programs that promote diversity and inclusion within an organization.
Honors successful communications and PR campaigns executed by a Black-owned business.
Honors successful communications and PR campaigns executed by a Latinx owned business.
Honors successful communications and PR campaigns centered around the LGBTQIA2+ community.
Honors campaigns that promote the fight against inequality and racial injustice.
Honors the best diversity and inclusion campaigns executed by PR agencies.
Honors the best diversity and inclusion campaigns executed in-house.
Entry Deadline
December 10, 2020
Late Deadline*
December 17, 2020
*All entries must be submitted by December 17, 2020. Finalists will be announced in 2021.
The price of each primary entry is $249. If you are submitting a secondary entry of the same campaign into any additional categories, the prices will be $199 per additional category. A late fee of $50 will be applied to entries submitted between December 11 and 17. Payment in full must accompany the entry. Entry fees are not refundable.
The Diversity Awards are open to all agency, corporation, nonprofit/association, and government organizations. National and international entries are accepted.
All individual and team award category entrants will be asked to provide the following:
*Note: Each section has a 300-word limit*
All campaign award category entrants will be asked to provide the following:
*Note: Each section has a 300-word limit*
*Note: This section has a 500 word limit*
Who can enter?
The Diversity Awards are open to all individuals and teams worldwide at for-profit and non-profit organizations including: corporations, PR agencies, public affairs and IR agencies, publicity firms, associations, government, and NGO teams, and sole practitioners.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible, the campaign or initiative must have taken place (either in part or in full) between December 10, 2019, and December 10, 2020. Some of the work must have occurred during this time, but it’s not necessary for it to be completed during the eligibility period.
How are the entries judged?
We evaluate your entry based on creativity, innovation, sound planning implementation, results as well as proven impact on the communities targeted.
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 synopsis. Summarize the nominee’s work and impact to aid DEI efforts. 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.
For questions about the Diversity Awards, please contact:
Devan Fishburne
Media Associate
PRNEWS
[email protected]
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact:
Dara Brooks
Sponsorship Sales
PRNEWS
[email protected]
