Full Criteria
All entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025 – judging will be focused on this timeframe.
CAMPAIGN CATEGORIES
Categories 1-17
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must cover the following criteria:
Brief, objectives and budget
The idea, research and planning
Strategy, creativity and innovation
Delivery/implementation of tactics
Measurement, evaluation and impact
Note: The inclusion of AVEs will result in a score of zero for this section of criteria.
INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM CATEGORIES
Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year
Our industry will fade to nothing without new talent. We’re looking for the current stars who will be future stalwarts; young people making valuable contributions to their organisation and our industry.
Nominate yourself or anyone aged 30 or under on 25 May 2025, working in a role where the majority of their work is in communications.
Please note you MUST be a CIPR member to enter the Outstanding Young Communicator category in Northern Ireland
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must:
Demonstrate commitment to professional development and career growth
Outline work-related achievements over the last two years and how they contribute to the wider industry
Provide an outline of a work-related challenge you have faced in the last 24 months, including details of what happened, how you overcame it and what you learnt from it
Provide an outline of a piece of work you have delivered or contributed to in the last 24 months that you are particularly proud of including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.
Independent PR Practitioner of the Year
Lone ranger. Independent practitioner. However you define yourself, this award is for you if you do it alone. Recognising the huge contribution that individuals make to brilliant PR practice, we’re looking for the solo stars who have produced enviable results for their clients over the last 24 months.
To qualify, you can’t be on a company’s payroll (other than your own), and you can’t have other PR professionals on your payroll either. (Support staff on the payroll are fine). You might work with a team of associates, but as long as you don’t employ them, you’ll qualify for this category.
We’re using this category to give a platform to the achievements, performance and excellent work of an independent PR practitioner over the last 24 months.
Note: This category is open to both CIPR members and non-members.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must give the judges:
An overview of your experience, your commitment to professional development and how you contribute to the industry
An outline of your work-related achievements over the last 24 months, including your business objectives and/or plan
An explanation of a work-related challenge you have faced in the last 24 months, including details of what happened, how you overcame it and what you learnt from it
Details of a piece of work you have delivered in the last 24 months that you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.
In-House PR Team of the Year
Are you incredibly proud of your in-house team? Do you deliver brilliant results for your organisation week in, week out? Here’s your chance to get the credit for your commitment and creativity.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must include:
Number of employees within the PR team and annual PR budget
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of team performance against budget over the last two years
A brief overview of business/team strategy
A summary of commitment to CPD and professionalism
A summary of recent outstanding achievements
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.
Small PR Consultancy of the Year
We’re looking for the small but perfectly-formed PR consultancies to show us what we already know – that bigger isn’t always better. If your PR fee income is under £1m, here’s your chance to show off your achievements from the last 24 months. We’ll expect to see details of performance and your incredible client work.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and include:
Number of employees and annual fee income
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of performance against budget over the last two years
A brief overview of business/team strategy
A summary of commitment to CPD and professionalism
A summary of recent outstanding achievements, including client list growth/retention
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget
PR Consultancy of the Year
One of the industry’s most sought-after awards, this category is for consultancies who have had an incredible year. Tell us about what you’ve achieved over the last 24 months, covering your incredible client campaigns as well as financial performance.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2023 and May 2025.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must include:
Date of incorporation, number of employees and annual fee income
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of performance against budget over the last two years
A brief overview of business/team strategy
Your commitment to CPD and professionalism
Recent outstanding achievements, including client list growth/retention
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget