2008 ACE Awards: Entry Guidelines

The purpose of the ACE Awards is to recognize communications excellence in the practice of public relations.

Public relations is defined by the Canadian Public Relations Society as:

"The management function which evaluates public attitudes, identifies the policies and procedures of an individual or organization with the public interest, and plans and executes a program of action to earn public understanding and acceptance."

ELIGIBILITY

All CPRS (Toronto) members and associates, as well as full-time public relations and marketing professionals in the Greater Toronto and surrounding area are eligible for the ACE Awards. Each campaign or project submitted must be planned, produced and completed within a period of two years prior to the entry deadline. The entrant must have executed or directly managed the project submitted.

The two-step entry process, introduced in 2005, requires entrants to first submit an executive summary of their project. Note that student entries are judged only on the first step of the entry application process, the executive summary and rationale.

Once the team of judges has reviewed the executive summaries and rationale, entrants who are short-listed will be asked to submit a full entry. Entrants who are not short-listed will receive feedback on how the submission could be made stronger in the future.

Submitting campaigns or projects for multiple categories:

When submitting campaigns or projects into multiple categories, each entry must be submitted separately with an entry fee. Each entry must clearly define in the executive summary why the project should be considered for the chosen category.

Submitting campaigns or projects that have previously won a CPRS (Toronto) award:

The entry should clearly identify significant changes to the campaign or project to distinguish it from previous submissions.

Entry Application Process

STEP 1

Entry Form and Fee

Each entry form must be filled in accurately and completely. Entrants are solely responsible for the accuracy of their entry application.




Campaign or Project Entries

Part A: Executive Summary

• Include a copy of the executive summary of the campaign or project.
• Maximum two pages typed. No less than 10 pt font.
• The executive summary should demonstrate the use and understanding of the RACE formula (Research, Analysis, Communications and Evaluation) and include a brief description of the strategy, quantifiable objectives, audiences, plans and tactics, budget and restraints, and the results.
• In the executive summary, demonstrate how each part of the program or project influenced the other. How did your research and analysis affect your planning? How did you achieve results within the time and budget constraints? How did you conduct your evaluation? Did your results meet your objectives? Did you face any challenges? What did you learn?
• Note for student entries: Executive summary must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from course instructor.
  

  Part B: Rationale

• In less than 250 words on a separate piece of paper explain how your entry upholds the CPRS definition of public relations (see above).



Leadership Awards

See individual award explanation for entry requirements.






Submission Deadlines

Campaign Entries: The deadline to submit your entry form and executive summary is Friday, February 1, 2008; 5 p.m.. Late entries will not be accepted. (Early Bird deadline – Friday, January 18, 2008, 5 p.m.)

Leadership Awards: Due Friday, February 29, 2008 by 5 p.m..

STEP 2

Only applicable to entrants whose campaign/project executive summaries have been short-listed by the judges




Submission with supporting materials

Entrants whose campaign/project executive summaries are short-listed by the judges will be invited to submit a full entry with supporting materials by March 7, 2008, 5 p.m..

To illustrate and support your submission, include materials such as news releases, examples of media coverage, PSAs, and collateral materials (posters, brochures, newsletters, etc.).

Entry Requirements:

• Resubmit original executive summary, rationale from STEP 1 and entry form
• All supporting material must be contained in a two inch three-ring binder

  For tips on how to submit an award-winning entry, review this Powerpoint presentation.

  Submission Deadlines

  Campaign Entries: The deadline to submit your entry form and full submission is March 7, 2008; 5 p.m.. Late entries will not be accepted. Entrants will be notified by February 14, 2008 if they have been short-listed.

  NOTE

  Best Creative PR Campaign and PR Campaign of the Year

  • The four highest scoring submissions will be invited to present to the judges on March 31, 2008, to compete for the two following distinctions: Best Creative PR Campaign and PR Campaign of the Year (These awards are not separate entry categories.)
  • All entries become the property of CPRS (Toronto). Any submissions which are to remain confidential should be identified as such. Winning entries may be exhibited at the awards ceremony and posted on the CPRS (Toronto) Web site.
  • Any submissions dealing with sensitive issues or clients may mark parts or all of their submission strictly confidential and not for publication. All judges sign confidentially contracts.