Gold Pick Award Categories

    GENERAL AWARD SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

    • All entries and entry materials must be submitted online.
    • At least some part of the work must have occurred in 2025. Entries tend to have better chances of winning near their completion, when evaluation against initial objectives can be measured.
    • Entrants may choose to enter in more than one category, provided it applies to the specific criteria stated within each category. In deciding which categories are most appropriate, entrants should examine program objectives and target audiences. Judges will not move entries to better suited categories. 
    • Basic Entry Information: Entrants must select the category being entered, the title of the entry (each title must be unique or it will be renamed), name of the organization/client, name of the agency (if any) and a 100-word description of the program/submission.
    • Please submit nominations for Organizational Awards, described below, using the Judgify platform. You'll find the categories within the grouping for Campaign Awards within the platform.

    ORGANIZATIONAL AWARDS SUBMISSIONS

    • Best In-House Team Submission Requirements: 
      • Two Page Summary: An overview of the business/organization and a detailed description of outstanding accomplishments/strategic benchmarks within the award program timeframe. Differentiate the role of the in-house team from any externally employed resources (e.g., agencies). Submitting teams should include examples of measurable impact on their organization; how they dealt with challenges; how they developed creative or innovative programs; how they influenced behavioral or attitudinal change among their target audiences; and/or how they foster a positive working culture. 
      • Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies. 
      • Number of employees on the team and annual public relations budget (including staffing costs). 

    • Best Agency Submission Requirements: 
      • Two Page Summary: An overview of the agency, its offerings, and a detailed description of outstanding accomplishments/strategic benchmarks within the award-program timeframe. Submitting agencies should include examples of measurable impact for their clients; how they dealt with challenges; how they developed creative or innovative programs; how they influenced behavioral or attitudinal change among their clients’ target audiences; and/or how they foster a positive working culture. 
      • Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies. 
      • Number of employees at the agency and annual revenue. 
      • A client list from the past 12 months, including tenure. Uploaded as a one-page PDF. 

    • Organization with the Most Impactful DEI Program Submission Requirements: 
      • Two Page Summary: An overview of the team leading these efforts and a detailed description of the programs, practices and/or initiative this team has instituted to bring about positive DEI change. Submissions can include examples of new resources for diverse employees/customers/recruits (language translations, sharing forums, etc.); internal programming to drive DEI progress; and/or how these efforts will advance DEI outside their organization. Share future plans, if any, to continue to build upon the success and drive DEI principles among the team. 
      • Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies. 

    • Best College/University Communication Program/Department Submission Requirements: 
      • The College/University must have a PRSSA chapter. 
      • The College/University must hold a Certificate in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations (CEPR). 
      • Number of educators on the team, detailed by full-time faculty, part-time lecturers, and adjunct faculty as well as the faculty’s PRSA involvement. 

      • Two Page Summary: An overview of the education institution and a description of outstanding accomplishments within the last 12 months. Submissions should include examples of how the team is equipping students for job readiness; metrics related to admissions, graduation trends, first-year employment data, internship placement and other related measurable results; as well as examples of academic achievements and other stand-out successes. 
      • Other Requirements: 

    CAMPAIGN AWARD SUBMISSIONS

    Campaign awards recognize complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.

    • Two-page summary:A concise summary no longer than two pages must be uploaded as a PDF. Each of the four criteria — insights and analysis, planning, execution and evaluation — must be addressed. The two-page summary should be typed using no smaller than a 10-point typeface and one-inch margins.
    • Supporting materials:Entrants may upload separate files of any detailed supporting materials referenced in the insights and analysis, planning, execution and evaluation sections of your two-page summary.

     

      CAMPAIGN AWARD CATEGORIES

      Campaign awards recognize complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession. Please note that a campaign entry is restricted to a two-page summary with one-inch margins and 10 point typeface

      1. CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
      This award celebrates the best overall public relations campaign from the past year.

      2. COMMUNITY RELATIONS
      2A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      2B. Government
      2C. Business
      Includes programs that aim to improve relations with, or seek to win the support or cooperation of, 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.

      3. CONTENT MARKETING
      3A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      3B. Government
      3C. Business to Business
      3D. Business to Consumer

      4. CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
      Includes programs undertaken to deal with an unplanned event that required an immediate response. For programs undertaken to deal with issues that could extraordinarily affect ongoing business strategy.

      5. EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES
      5A. More Than Seven Days
      5AA. Associations//Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      5AB. Government
      5AC. Business
      5B. Seven Or Fewer Days
      5BA. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      5BB. Government
      5BC. Business
      Includes virtual or in-person programs or events, such as commemorations, observances, conferences, openings, yearlong anniversaries, celebrations or other special activities. Events that took place for longer than a one-week period should be entered in “4A. More Than Seven Days” and events occurring within a time span of one week should be entered in “4B. Seven Or Fewer Days.”

      6. FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
      Includes programs directed to shareowners, other investors, and the investment community.

      7. MULTINATIONAL or GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS
      Includes any type of program, such as Reputation/Brand Management, Marketing or Events and Observances, that demonstrates effective global communications implemented in more than one country.

      8. INFLUENCER MARKETING
      8A. Macro-Influencers
      8B. Micro-Influencers
      Macro-influencers: Celebrities, executives, bloggers, and journalists who have 10,000–1M followers. They have the highest topical relevance on the spectrum, with category-specific influence – such as lifestyle, fashion or business.
      Micro-influencers: Everyday consumers or employees or industry experts who have 500–10,000 followers. They have the highest brand relevance and resonance on the spectrum of influencers, with influence driven by their personal experience and strength of relationship with their networks

      9. INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS
      9A. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      9B. Business to Business
      9C. Consumer Products
      9D. Consumer Services
      Includes any program that demonstrates leadership of public relations strategies and tactics in a creative and effective integrated campaign, along with other marketing or communications. The program must demonstrate the clear leadership of public relations, along with its integration with other disciplines.

      10. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
      10A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      10B. Government
      10C. Business
      Includes programs targeted specifically to special publics directly allied with an organization, such as employees, members, affiliated dealers and franchisees.

      11. PRODUCT OR COMPANY LAUNCH
      11A. Business to Business
      11B. Consumer Products – Regional Focus
      11C. Consumer Products – National/International Focus
      11D. Consumer Services
      Includes programs designed to introduce a new company or products/services or promote existing products/services to a particular audience.

      12. MOST EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN ON A $5,000 TO $10,000 BUDGET
      Effective campaign delivered within parameters of a limited budget. This does not include staff time and overhead.

      13. MOST EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET ($5,000 OR LESS)
      Successful campaign despite the constraints of a small budget. This does not include staff time and overhead.

      14. DEI CAMPAIGN of the YEAR
      Efforts devoted to promoting inclusivity and/or dismantling discrimination for racial, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation and gender differences.

      15. CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
      This honors excellence in energy efficiency, natural resources, programs and campaigns that limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste and contamination, protect and restore ecosystems, and contribute to the adaptation to climate change.

      16. CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
      This celebrates campaigns and programs that ignite individuals, technology, and partnerships to create positive impact for society at the local, national, or international level, including but not limited to areas such as poverty, hunger, housing, health and wellbeing, climate, equity, education, and human rights. 

      17. MULTICULTURAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
      Campaigns planned and executed in any category for multicultural target audiences. Entry must reflect an in-depth definition and understanding of the target audiences, as well as a clear explanation of how the planning (objectives and strategies) and execution (tactics) are adapted to, or unique to, those audiences.

      18. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
      Includes programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies — at the local, state or federal government levels — so that the entity funding the program benefits.

      19. PUBLIC SERVICE/NONPROFIT
      19A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      19B. Government
      19C. Partnerships (Funded jointly by businesses and other organizations, including nonprofit and government). Includes programs that advance public understanding of societal issues, problems, or concerns.

      20. REPUTATION/BRAND MANAGEMENT
      20A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      20B. Government
      20C. Business
      Programs designed to enhance, promote or improve the reputation of an organization with its publics or key elements of its publics, either proactively or in response to an issue, event or market occurrence.

      21. MARKETING
      21A. Business to Business
      21B. Consumer Products – Regional Focus
      21C. Consumer Products – National/International Focus
      21D. Consumer Services
      Includes programs designed to introduce new products/services or promote existing products/services to a particular audience.

      COMPONENT AWARD CATEGORIES

      1. MEDIA RELATIONS
      1A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      1B. Government
      1C. Business-To-Business
      1D. Consumer Products
      1DA. Non-Packaged Goods
      1DB. Packaged Goods
      1E. Consumer Services
      Tactics, programs and events driven entirely by media relations. Submit press releases, media advisories, pitch letters, requests for coverage, etc., along with the one-page summary that includes measurable objectives and results, including media impact. Upload or provide YouTube/Vimeo links to any television or radio coverage. The Non-Packaged Goods subcategory refers to consumer products, such as clothing, appliances, furniture, etc. The Packaged Goods subcategory refers to traditional consumer products sold in packages, such as food products, pet products, household goods, toiletries, cosmetics, etc.

      2. FEATURE STORIES
      Feature articles that have been written by a practitioner and submitted and published through his/her efforts. Submit text of feature article, as well as documentation of publication and placement. The one-page summary should include target audience, measurable objectives and any documented results. Articles must be written in their entirety or substantively by the entrant, and not merely “pitched.”

      3. SOCIAL MEDIA
      How did you use social media to tell a story or connect with an audience? Share screenshots of links to your work and provide detailed results focusing on engagement and conversions, where applicable.
      3A. Single Channel Use
      3B. Multichannel Use

      4. INFLUENCER MARKETING
      Tactic that focuses on using paid spokespeople and key leaders to increase awareness and drive your brand's message to the larger market. Include details of achievements/benchmarks on how the spokesperson met/exceeded campaign goals.

      5. BEST USE OF GENERATIVE AI
      Demonstrate how AI played a pivotal role in successfully driving or enhancing traditional tactical efforts within a campaign. Provide examples of tools used and results from their use.
      5A. Direct Audience Engagement
      5B. Media Relations
      5C. Social Media

      6. DIGITAL PLATFORM
      Did you launch a new website, app or other digital platform? How was it launched and how much risk was involved in your marketing plan? What platforms were used? What value did the end user receive and how did it specifically match goals? Include metrics and benchmarks. This entry can be completed by a vendor or the customer.

      7. DATA INSIGHTS
      The use of data or research in a program to inform a communications strategy and/or message development. Demonstrate how the insights were acquired and applied. 

      8. WEBSITES
      Use of a website as part of a communications or content marketing program. Include screen grabs or copies of key pages to support your one-page summary. Additionally, include the website URL for external sites and how the site met or exceeded your communications benchmarks.

      9. NONTRADITIONAL TACTICS
      Innovative, unconventional, creative tactics or approaches used as part of a public relations program. Documentation of how the tactic specifically contributed to the measurable results of the campaign should be included in the one-page summary. (Photographic and/or video representations of any physical objects should be uploaded to be fully considered in this category.)

      10. ANNUAL REPORTS
      Publications that report on an organization’s annual performance. Upload a sample of one copy of the publication, along with a one-page summary.

      11. BLOGS/VLOGS
      Web-based journals, or blogs, that communicated to a target audience. The one-page summary should include rationale for blogging strategy, target audiences and statistics, or other means of quantifiable measurement to support stated objectives. Screen downloads of the blog being entered, as well as the actual site URL, must be submitted as part of the story.

      12. NEWSLETTERS/MAGAZINES
      Publications – digital or print – designed, written and published/distributed periodically to provide brief and timely information to target audiences while supporting an organization’s overall objectives. Upload samples of three consecutive issues, along with a one-page summary including goals and results.

      13. SINGLE-ISSUE PUBLICATIONS
      Single-issue publications designed for a special purpose. Books and other publications not eligible for consideration in other categories should be entered here. Upload a sample of one copy of the publication along with the one-page summary including goals and results.

      14. VIDEO
      Produced videos to inform target audiences of an event, brand, product, service, issue or organization. The one-page summary should include usage statistics or other means of quantified measurement to support stated objectives.

      15. BRANDED CONTENT
      Use of content generation to promote a particular brand which funds the content's production. Upload samples along with the one-page summary including goals and results.

      16. PODCASTS
      How did you tell your story? What was the purpose? Was it intended for internal or external audiences and was there engagement on multiple platforms? Provide goals, results and listener feedback.

      ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD CATEGORIES

      1. BEST IN-HOUSE TEAM
      1A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations/Educational Institutions
      1B. Government
      1C. Business (Budget less than $5M)
      1D. Business (Budget of $5M or more)
      A public relations/public affairs/communications team that demonstrates excellence in public relations. 

      2. BEST AGENCY
      2A. Boutique / Small Agency of the Year- 10 – 20: This award celebrates the accomplishments of a PR agency with less than 20 employees.
      2B. Midsize Agency of the Year- 20 - 49: This award celebrates the accomplishments of a PR agency with 20 - 49 employees.
      2C. Large Agency of the Year - 50+: This award celebrates the accomplishments of a PR agency with more than 50 employees.

      3. BEST SOLO/INDEPENDENT PR PRO
      This award celebrates the Best Solo PR Pro of the Year, an individual practitioner who, in the previous year, represented the best in public relations as an outstanding communicator(s) or influencer(s), establishing or reinforcing the mutually beneficial relationship between an organization and the public or otherwise impacting the communications landscape. 

      4. BEST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT
      4A. Undergraduate program
      4B. Graduate program 
      A college/university team that is best preparing the next generation of communication practitioners through an innovative curriculum, high standards for student success and placement assistance.

      5. BEST AI INTEGRATION AND DIGITAL INNOVATIONS
      5A. Agency
      5B. In-House
      Demonstrate exceptional creativity, effectiveness, and ingenuity in leveraging digital innovations, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to revolutionize your organization’s PR/comms strategies and results. Provide examples of the successful implementation of AI-driven technologies that have significantly enhanced visibility, engagement, efficiencies and overall PR performance.

       

      SPECIAL HONOR AWARDS

      The PRSA Colorado Gold Pick Awards program is not just about great work, but also great people. Each year, we recognize several special honorees at our annual gala. These are the Gold Picks Special Honor Awards:

      • Swede Johnson Lifetime Achievement
      • Sharon Linhart PR Person of the Year 
      • Media Person of the Year
      • Business Person of the Year
      • Joe Fuentes Rookie of the Year
      • Jane Dvorak Mentor of the Year Award
      • Ayers Chapter Service Award 
      • PR Team of the Year

      2026 Special Awards Nomination Submission

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