Award Categories

Entries for the PACE Awards can be submitted in either as campaigns or tactics but keep in mind that the categories have changed in the past years so read over the descriptions carefully to be sure your entry is submitted in the best possible category.

Campaigns

Community Relations
Programs that seek to win the support or cooperation of, or that aim to improve relations with, people or organizations in communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity. “Community” in this category refers to a specific geographic location or locations.

Crisis Communications
Actions or steps undertaken to deal with a sudden event that has had or may have an extraordinary impact.

Integrated Communications
A program that employs the creative and effective integration and leadership of public relations strategies and tactics with other promotional marketing communications. It should demonstrate the integration of strategies, budget and measurement of return on investment of the communications to any stakeholder group, including employees, consumers and shareholders.

Marketing Consumer Products and Services
Programs designed to introduce new or promote existing products or services to a consumer audience.

Organizational Relations
Programs affecting an organization’s stature, reputation or relations with its internal or external publics including employees, members, affiliated dealers, franchisees, customers, clients, or the like.

Public Affairs
Programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies—at local, state or federal government levels—so that the entity funding the program benefits.

Public Service
Programs that advance public understanding of a societal issue, problem or concern. (Similar programs conducted principally to enhance an organization’s standing or to otherwise serve its interests directly will ordinarily fall under Organizational Relations.)

Shoestring Budget
Programs or projects which could fall into any of the other campaigns categories which were completed with a budget of $0-$5000, or pro bono.

Social Marketing
Events, actions, or programs built solely around the use of social media, social e-marketing, and online relations.

Special Events
Programs or events, including commemorations, observances, openings, celebrations, yearlong anniversaries or other special events.

Multicultural Communications
Any type of program, such as institutional, marketing and community relations, targeted to a specific cultural group.

Student Campaign (FREE SUBMISSION)
A new entry for college students to submit a campaign they worked on in school as part of a class project or on campus agency. Note that membership in PRSSA is not a requirement.

Tactics

Annual Reports
Publications that report on an organization’s annual performance: Submit one copy of the publication along with one-page summary.

Brochures
Pamphlets, booklets or other small publications designed to inform a target audience about an organization, product, service or issue. Submit one copy of the publication along with one-page summary.

Magazines
Publications designed to provide in-depth information about an organization or topic on a regular basis. The number of pages and length of articles typically differentiate magazines from newsletters.

Media/Press Kits
News releases, photographs and other background information compiled together on an organization, product or issue.

Newsletters
Publications designed, written and published periodically to provide brief and timely information to target audiences while supporting an organization’s overall objectives.

Special Purpose Publications
Pieces designed for a special purpose to increase awareness, solicit a response, or otherwise inform an audience. This could include print or digital pieces not covered by other categories, video or audio productions of one minute or less for non-paid public service announcements or speeches.

Video Programs
Video programs targeted toward internal or external audiences. Entries must have been paid for solely by the organization, rather than supporting corporate sponsors. The entry should include the video file(s) or link(s) to video(s). Entrants are encouraged to submit the final script(s).

Websites
Websites or web pages must be submitted via a link to the final websites or web pages and/or using screen captures, along with a one-page summary.

Editorials/OP-ED Columns
Opinion articles written as an editorial, a guest column, or a letter to the editor. Submit text of the article and documentation of publication.

Feature Stories
Submit text of the feature article as well as documentation of publication. The one-page summary should include target audience, objectives and any documented results.

Research
Research that provides a meaningful contribution to an organization’s public relations program. Sample of the research methodology and results should be included in the entry, along with a one-page summary.

Social Mediums
This category includes social media, mobile applications, games or other new media engagement. Submit one copy of the piece along with a one-page summary.

Innovative Tactics
New or innovative tactic or approach used as part of a public relations program. Documentation of how the tactic contributed to the results should be included in the one-page summary.