Awards Competitions

Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE)
http://www.aceweb.org - Critique and Awards Program
Designed to help ACE members and other communicators achieve professional excellence through constructive criticism and recognize those individuals who exhibit excellence in their work. The emphasis of this program is on "critique," with entries evaluated on content, effectiveness, creativity, and technical production. (Note: The "agricultural" part of the name is very misleading. Many members are into consumer, environmental, food, and other academic areas.) Past submission deadlines in late-January.

American Advertising Federation (AAF)
http://www.aaf.org - Various Awards
Sponsors numerous awards related to advertising, including student competitions. Deadlines vary with award program. Past U of M winner: UMD, national award, Tweed Museum exhibit catalog.

American Society of Professional Communicators (ASPC)
http://www.asprocomm.com - ASPC Masters Communication Awards
Recognizes exemplary work and exceptional achievement across all professional communications. From newsletters to speeches and media kits to multimedia presentations, the Masters Awards honor the efforts of professional communicators at all levels across multiple disciplines.

ASPC Annual Report Awards Competition
Honors the outstanding work done by our colleagues each year on these most important documents. The competition judges entries from four revenue classes, one of which is dedicated to non-profit organizations, on the major features of the annual report: front cover, letter to shareholders, narrative, design and photography, and financial presentation. An award is also given for the best online annual reports among entries from each revenue class. Past submission deadlines in May and June.

Association of College Unions International
http://www.acui.org - The Steal This Idea Awards Showcase
The best marketing and promotion ideas from college unions and student activities programs. Past submission deadlines in February.

Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
http://www.case.org/ - Circle of Excellence Awards
Recognizes best practices in 40 categories, such as advancement, alumni relations, design, development, electronic media, institutional relations, new media, periodical, publications, and student recruitment marketing. Open to members only. Past submission deadlines in March.

Dalton Pen Communications Awards
http://www.daltonpen.com
The competition, hosted by Warwick Publishing, honors communicators whose inspired projects and programs stand out from the other pieces of remarkable work submitted to the program. Whether a newscast, sports report, magazine, Web site, video, or brochure, this award serves to reward the communicator whose works are especially clever, effective, inventive, and creative. Past submission deadlines in late-January.

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Minnesota Chapter
http://mn.iabc.com - Bronze Quill Awards
Entries are evaluated by judges from IABC chapters across the nation and rated on a seven-point scale based on the entry's work sample and comprehensive work plan. Judges look for strategic work plans, creativity, well-executed work samples, and meaningful measurement. Past U o fM winner: Parking and Transportation Services, Integrated Marketing Communications Plan and Campaign (2001).

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)
http://www.nagc.com - Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards
Offers awards in more than 50 categories covering writing, publications, Web pages, multimedia, audio and video, photography, campaigns, calendars, and more. Past submission deadlines in December. Past U of M winner: Minnesota Sea Grant; Parking & Transportation Services, Integrated Marketing Communications Plan and Campaign, Web site, and Super Guide brochure (2003).

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Minnesota Chapter http://www.mnprsa.com - The Classics
Presented annually to public relations practitioners who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a communications challenge with exemplary professional skill, creativity, and resourcefulness. Also hosts a student competition. Past submission deadlines in December. Past U of M winner: Parking & Transportation Services, Integrated Marketing Communications Plan and Campaign and U-Pass/Metropass Marketing Plan and Campaign (2001).

Society for Technical Communication, Twin Cities Chapter
http://www.stctc.org - Competitions
Evaluates professional technical communication in different media: online communication, technical art, and technical publications. Do not need to be a member. Past submission deadlines in the fall.

University and College Designers Association (UCDA)
http://www.ucda.com - Annual Design Competition
Recognizes the best design work done to promote higher education. Print entries will be judged for excellence in concept, design, illustration, typography, and printing,as well as effectiveness, quality, and creativity in solving the problems inherent in institutional design. Electronic media entries will be judged for appearance, flexibility, interactivity, and suitability for their intended audiences. Past submission deadlines in July.

University of Minnesota Communicators Forum
http://www.umn.edu/umcf/awards/index.php - Maroon & Gold Awards for Communications Excellence
Honors the best in communications at the University of Minnesota. Entries represent marketing, communications, or public relations efforts carried out on behalf of a University of Minnesota organization. Past submission deadlines in April.

Forum Communications

ForUM Communicator—e-mail newsletter

FORUM-C listserv—the Forum's electronic mailing list

Tips From Forum Members

Hiring a Translator

Preparing Text and Materials for Graphic Designers

Professional E-mail Guidelines

Writing an Effective Design Brief

Forum logo design process