2008  PRSA New Orleans  Chapter Awards   Here’s your chance to shine by entering your best work in the annual PRSA New Orleans Chapter Awards competition for public relations professionals.  The deadline for entries is   3 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2008.   The winners will be honored at the chapter’s awards reception on Thursday, November 20 at the Cricket Club.   Professional Competition Guidelines 1.      The awards program is open to all public relations professionals in the New Orleans region, not just members of PRSA. 2.      Materials should have been completed during calendar years 2007/2008 or be mature enough to have produced results in 2008. 3.      Do not send original materials. All materials submitted for judging become the property of PRSA New Orleans Chapter for educational purposes and may not be returned. 4.      All entries should be submitted by 3 p.m. on Monday, October 27 to: Suzanne Whitaker, APR Director of Communications Peoples Health Three Lakeway Center 3838 N. Causeway Blvd., Ste. 2200 New Orleans, LA  70002 5.   All entry fees must accompany entries. No cash accepted. 6.      Submit two copies of your entry form with each entry. 7.      Specific guidelines for campaigns and single piece entries are detailed within the respective categories. Please read carefully before submitting your entries. 8.      Judging will be performed by a PRSA chapter from outside of Louisiana . Prior to forwarding the entries to the judges, the Awards Committee will review each entry for appropriateness of category and may make changes where appropriate. Decisions of the committee are final. 9.      Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit certificates will be awarded to entries that achieve a level based upon a standard set of criteria and the evaluation of the judges. A “Best of Category” will be awarded in any category at the judges’ discretion. 10.  Requests for additional information and specific questions about the competition can be directed to Suzanne Whitaker, APR, suzanne.whitaker@peopleshealth.com. 11.  Information regarding membership in PRSA can be directed to Ann Christian, APR, at  christian39@cox.net.   Categories   Campaigns   C-1      External Relations – Corporation / Government C-2      External Relations – Non-profit / Association Categories C-1 and C-2 are for programs designed to improve relationships or correct misunderstandings with selected audiences or those that target a specific group. Also included are programs aimed at community betterment through informational activities, developing greater goodwill or creating a clearer public identity. Select the category that best describes the organization or entity for which the campaign was conducted. C-3      Internal Relations Programs designed to improve relationships or correct misunderstandings with groups that are included within an organization or corporation, such as employees, donors, alumni, alumni, members, etc. C-4      Investor Relations Programs directed to shareholders, potential investors, financial analysts and the investment community. C-5      Public Affairs Programs designed to promote public or governmental support or opposition to an issue before a legislative body or a government agency. Also programs that involve employees or other key audiences in political or governmental activities. C-6      Crisis Communications – Corporate / Government C-7      Crisis Communications – Non profit / Association Categories C-6 and C-7 are for programs developed to help organizations deal with an unplanned event, requiring immediate response. The programs should be designed to communicate effectively with various audiences, including the media, during a crisis or emergency situation. Select the category that best describes the organization or entity for which the campaign was conducted.   C-8      Special Events/Observances – Corporate / Government C-9      Special Events/Observances – Non profit / Association Categories C-8 and C-9 are for programs or events scheduled for specific period of time. Events may be openings, observances, commemorations, celebrations or other special activities. Select the category that best describes the organization or entity for which the campaign was conducted. C-10    The Great Idea Creative and effective public relations programs produced on a budget of $2,000 or less. C-11    Integrated Marketing Programs which successfully united various areas or disciplines (pr, advertising, marketing) producing a synergy which results in greater efficiency and cost control.   NOTES ON CAMPAIGN CATEGORIES ·        Public Relations campaigns will be judged on the basis of research, originality, objectives, methods, execution and budgeting. ·        A public relations campaign can be entered in only one campaign category. ·        Individual components can be entered in appropriate single entry Tactics categories (below). ·        Recommendations for awards will be based solely upon the criteria and excellence of the program. The attractiveness of the entry should not be considered.   Campaign Packaging Entries should include written descriptions of the project submitted in a plain, hardcover binder that holds 8.5” x 11” paper. Plastic page holders may be used for clippings, photos, etc.     Tactics   Print Categories P-1       Annual Reports P-2       Books and booklets P-3       Brochures and Flyers P-4       Direct mail pieces P-5       Statement Stuffers P-6       Media Kits P-7       Branding image design (logos, business cards, corporate identity manuals, kit folders) P-8       Posters P-9       Public Service ads (Ads donated by a publication as a commitment to community service) P-10     Goodwill ads (Ad paid for by a company or organization that promotes itself as a good corporate citizen) P-11     Advocacy ads (Ad paid for in part or in full by a sponsor that promotes or advocates an event, cause, program, point of view, or takes a position on a matter of community interest) P-12     Speeches P-13     News Releases P-14     Feature Stories P-15     Advertorials P-16     External Publications P-17     Photography P-18     Newsletters P-19     Invitations P-20     Op Ed / Editorial P-21     Any single creative printed piece that does not fall into the above categories.   Print Categories Packaging Submit two copies of entry form and a one-page summary of 500 words or less with your entry in an envelope no larger than 11” by 14”. The summary should explain the public relations project supported by the entry, along with the budget, specific goals and the results.   Audio-Visual Categories AV-1   Slide / PowerPoint Presentations One or multi-projector productions made for a public relations program or promotional campaign. AV-2   CD/DVD/Video/Film productions Production that informs a public, builds an image, sells an idea or product, trains employees, etc. AV-3   Public Service Announcement Traditional PSA produced for radio or television broadcast. Broadcast must be provided free, as part of a community service. AV-4   Advocacy Advertising Commercial radio or television spot, paid for by a company or organization, promoting or advocating an event, cause, program, point of view or position of community interest. AV-5   Goodwill Advertising Commercial radio or television spot, paid for by a company or organization, promoting itself as a good corporate citizen. (spots that sell a product or service do not qualify) AV-6   Video / DVD News Release A news release of any length that has been distributed to media.   AV Packaging Submit two copies of entry form and a one-page summary of 500 words or less with your entry in an envelope no larger than 11” by 14”. The summary should explain the public relations project supported by the entry, along with the budget, specific goals and the results. Slide and PowerPoint presentations should be transferred to DVD/CD/videotape or submitted in on printed pages. Please be sure to label DVD/CD/cassette. Entry forms should be attached to DVD/CD/cassette and included in an envelope no larger than 11” x 14”.     New Media Categories NM-1 Website A website created to promote an organization’s goods, services or image as part of an overall public relations program or promotional campaign. NM-2 Podcast A podcast created to promote an organization’s goods, services or image as part of an overall public relations program or promotional campaign. NM-3  E-zine An e-zine created to promote an organization’s goods, services or image as part of an overall public relations program or promotional campaign. NM-4  Other Any other single use of new media (blog, satellite media tour, interactive Internet, etc.) created to promote an organization’s goods, services or image as part of an overall public relations program or promotional campaign.   New Media Packaging Submit two copies of entry form and a one-page summary of 500 words or less with your entry in an envelope no larger than 11” by 14”. The summary should explain the public relations project or campaign supported by the entry, along with the budget, specific goals and the results. Internet material should be screen-captured, printed and submitted in envelopes no larger than 11” x 14”.       PRSA 2008 Awards Entry Form Please copy this information onto 8 1/2 x 11 sheet and submit two copies with each entry.   Category ______________________________________   Title of entry (as it will appear on awards) _________________________________________________________   Individual / Organization name (as it will appear on awards) _________________________________________________________   Address __________________________________________________   City, State, Zip ____________________________________________   Telephone (_______) _____________________   Entry fee of $ ________ enclosed.   (Entry fees -- $40 per entry for PRSA members, $45 for non members)   Please make check payable to PRSA New Orleans Chapter and deliver with your entries to :  Suzanne Whitaker, APR Director of Communications Peoples Health Three Lakeway Center 3838 N. Causeway Blvd., Ste. 2200 New Orleans, LA  70002