Entering the 2025 Classics Awards

Table of Contents
Entry & Contact | Entry Materials | Entry Description | Fees & Deadlines | Judging Criteria
 

Entry & Contact

Each entrant must designate on the online entry form the entry title and category that is most appropriate for the entrant’s program. While an entry may be appropriate for more than one category, entrants should examine program objectives and target audiences in order to select one category. 

Segments of a Classics Program entry may also be entered in a Classics Elements category. If an entry is in an obviously incorrect category, judges may move the entry at their discretion. Each entrant must also provide contact information, including name, company name address, work phone and email.

Entry Materials 

Entry Summary: Write a concise summary for each entry. Prepare the summary carefully, as the judges will review it closely. The summary is the single most important element of the Classics entry.

• The summary should be uploaded via the online entry form as a PDF or Word document.
• Classics Elements summary must be no longer than one typed page.
• Classics Program summary must be no longer than two typed pages.
• The summary should be typed using no smaller than a 10-point typeface.
• Summaries must address the Judging Criteria outlined below.

Required Supporting Materials: You must include at least five supporting documents, with no more than 10 supporting documents, referred to in the entry summary. For example, if you refer to a public relations planning document, a copy of the plan should be uploaded.

Other examples of supporting materials include photos, reports, media placements and samples of tactical materials. Many common file types are allowed, such as PDF, DOC, JPEG, MPEG and others.

Each document must be less than 50MB. If you have larger files, please post them to an accessible location (such as YouTube) and include a link within the “Optional: Supporting URL links” section within the online entry form.

Optional Supporting URL links: You also have the option of uploading up to five URL links to include with the supporting materials. Links are encouraged for digital categories, such as multimedia and social media.

Entry Description

100-word Summary: You must include a 100-word summary describing your project via the online entry form. This will be used to describe your entry in the banquet program if it is a Classics finalist. NOTE: If your summary is longer than 100 words, we will only use the first 100 words. Please check your word count.

Fun Fact: Include one fun fact about your entry that could be used during the banquet should your entry win. If you are submitting entries in multiple categories for the same program, please do not duplicate fun facts.

Entry image: Please upload one photo as a high-res JPEG to display during the banquet if you win. The high-res JPEG must be less than 50Mb. This entry image should not be the brand or company logo, but should be representative of the program or campaign. Please be sure to clearly label all files with the entry title using the following format:

“Category_Company_Title”
Example: 5a__AgencyB_TargetFieldDrawsCrowd

Entry Fees and Deadlines

Payment Instructions: You can pay for multiple entries directly on the online submission form. Entry fees are nonrefundable, even if the entry becomes disqualified. If you are unable to pay online, please contact office@minnesotaprsa.org.

Fees for each entry are:

Judging Criteria

Please note: If you wish to receive the judging comments after the Awards banquet, please check the box on the online submission form. Judges’ comments will be emailed to the entry’s contact information provided.

Classics Elements

The one-page entry summary must demonstrate sound planning, execution and results, and include a statement of objectives, budget, quantity produced and audience. Judging will be based on the merit of three criteria: 1) planning, 2) execution and 3) evaluation. A description of research is optional but should be included if applicable. Also consider any specific information requested under individual Classics Elements categories. To assist in preparing your one-page summary, use the following as a guideline:

• Planning: What was the planning process? What were the specific objectives? Who were the target audiences? What measurement criteria did you establish to evaluate success? What was your budget?
• Execution: What was the execution process? In general terms, how did the activities flow? What materials were used? What quantity was produced? Were any difficulties encountered, and if so, how were they handled?
• Evaluation: What were the results? To what degree and in what way(s) did you meet the stated objectives? What methods were used to identify, analyze and quantify results? What impact did this piece have in relation to the overall project or ongoing program?

Classics Programs

Judging will be based on the merit of four criteria: 1) research, 2) planning, 3) execution and 4) evaluation. To assist in preparing your two-page summary, use the following as a guideline:

• Research: Describe the situation on which the program is based. Briefly describe the research. Was research used to identify an opportunity or was it in response to a current or potential problem? Did research findings help re-define the situation? How did the findings help define the audience(s)?
• Planning: Who was involved in the planning? What was the plan? How does the plan correlate to the research findings? What are the specific objectives of the program? Who were the target audiences? What was the overall strategy employed? What measurement criteria did you establish to evaluate success? What was your budget?
• Execution: How was the plan executed? In general terms, how did the activities flow? What materials were used? Were any difficulties encountered, and if so, how were they handled? Was the budget adjusted during execution, and if so, why and how? Were other organizations involved? Were non-public relations tactics, such as advertising employed?
• Evaluation: What were the results? To what degree and in what way(s) did the program meet its objectives? What methods were used to identify, analyze and quantify results? How are results related to research findings? How are results related to strategic objectives?