Clarion Awards: Categories - The Association for Women in Communications

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Clarion Award Categories

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Each year, AWC honors excellence in all fields of communications. If you wish to apply for a Clarion Award, you can submit an application in the following categories.

Please click on a category below to expand section.

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ADVERTISING & MARKETING

All entries must include:

Marketing strategy
Materials that demonstrate an integrated marketing program clearly stating specific, measurable goals and quantified results
Budget detail required
Where applicable, entry must include:
Virtual tear sheets, samples or photos of the printed advertisement
Photos of posters, billboards or other supporting materials
Advertising script (if script unavailable, submit full outline or description)
Video or Audio Files

1. Multimedia Advertising Campaign
Submit a short- or long-term advertising campaign with stated goal using two or more media with the following:

Samples or photos of any printed material
Script (if script unavailable, submit full outline or description)
Video file of television spots
Audio file of radio spots
Website address and PDF of Web pages
Photos of posters, billboards or other supporting materials

2. Print Advertising
Submit a single advertisement that appeared in one or more print media outlets including newspapers, magazines, posters, billboards, direct-response pieces and point-of-sale displays. Materials may include:

Samples of print and broadcast materials used in the effort to communicate with relevant publication
News releases, photos, internal communication items, speeches

3. Marketing Communications Campaign/Budget of $100,000 or less
Submit materials used in a program designed to market, position, publicize and promote a new or established product or service.

4. Marketing Communications Campaign/Budget of more than $100,000
Submit materials used in a program designed to market, position, publicize and promote a new or established product or service.

5. Online Marketing Campaign
Submit a short-termor long-term online marketing campaign. Entry must include:

Sample Web pages, emails, and/or other supporting Web materials

6. Promotional Video Production
Submit a promotional video produced by either a corporate/for-profit or nonprofit organization. Materials may include:

Program script (if not available, submit full outline or description)
Synopsis indicating length and describing rationale and suitability for topic, medium and audience

BROCHURES, CUSTOM & SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

A one-time communications product published for an internal or external audience.

All entries must include:

Copy of brochure, article, book.
No budget detail required in this category
Additional materials may include copies of posters, promotional fliers, holiday cards, calendars, invitations, etc.

7. Special Print Communication
Submit special print communications directed toward constituents, clients or the general public.

8. Internal Print Communications
Submit material published for internal audiences by a corporate/for-profit or nonprofit organization to include brochures, employee handbooks, benefits booklets, training manuals, etc.

9. Custom Publications: Books - fiction

10. Custom Publications: Books - non-fiction

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EDUCATION

All entries must include:

Complete presentation available on URL link
Synopsis, indicating length and describing rationale and suitability for topic, medium and audience
Program script (if script unavailable, submit full outline or description)
No budget detail required in this category

11. Educational, Informational, DYI, or Training Video Production
Video file of educational, informational, or training video

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FUND DEVELOPMENT

Submit outline of major aspects of campaign for a nonprofit organization, results and all relevant supporting materials. Budget detail is required in this category.

12. Fund Development Programs/Projects
Print, audio and video materials related to fund development projects including Annual Giving Campaigns and Capital Campaigns.

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MAGAZINES

For all magazine entries (a magazine is a scheduled periodical publication of more than 16 pages), submit:

Original, copy or reprint of article or magazine
Synopsis detailing purpose of the article, research methodology and target audience
Description of magazine’s editorial mission
Circulation - per issue. If monthly - then monthly circulation; if weekly, then weekly circulation.
No budget detail required in this category.

13. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation of 100,000 or less – Lifestyle

Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

14. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation of 100,000 or less – Current News
Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

15. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation of 100,000 or less – Miscellaneous
Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

16. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation          of 100,000 or more – Lifestyle
Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

17. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation          of 100,000 or more – Current News
Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

18. Magazine Feature Article, External Publication – Circulation          of 100,000 or more – Miscellaneous
Submit a feature article published in a magazine directed toward clients or to the general public.

19. Magazine Feature Article, Internal Publication
Submit a feature article published in an internal magazine directed toward employees, members or investors.

20. Magazine Regular Editorial/Opinion Column – Circulation of 100,000 or less
Includes columns designed to persuade, such as opinion columns, editorials, commentaries, reviews and critiques. Submit three to five pieces (entries with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

21. Magazine Regular Editorial/Opinion Column – Circulation of 100,000 or more
Includes columns designed to persuade, such as opinion columns, editorials, commentaries, reviews and critiques. Submit three to five pieces (entries with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

22. Magazine Regular Informational/Non-opinion Column
Includes columns designed to inform and entertain, but not to persuade, such as science, health, travel, sports, entertainment, humor, etc. Submit three columns, each not to exceed two magazine pages (entries with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

23. Magazine Series or Special Section, External Publication – Circulation of 100,000 or less
Submit entries published in a magazine directed to clients or the general public

24. Magazine Series or Special Section, External Publication – Circulation of 100,000 or more

Submit entries published in a magazine directed to clients or the general public.

For categories 25-27 submit:
- The magazine must be published at least twice per year;
- Submit two consecutive issues published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022; and
- Submit a magazine directed toward constituents, clients, or the general public.

25.Best Overall External Magazine – Circulation of 100,000 or less

26. Best Overall External Magazine – Circulation of 100,000 or more

27. Best Overall Internal Magazine
Submit a magazine directed toward employees, members or investors.

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NEWSLETTERS

For all newsletter entries please submit:

Three consecutive issues (entry must be published at least three times a year)
Editorial strategy
No budget detail required in this category

Note: at least two of the issues submitted must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

28. Newsletter – Print or Online
Submit a newsletter directed toward constituents, clients, employees, members, investors, or the general public.

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NEWSPAPERS

For all newspaper entries submit:

Original, copy or reprint of article(s) or columns of any length published in a general circulation newspaper
Circulation - per issue
No budget detail required in this category

29. Newspaper Hard News Story

30. Newspaper Feature Story – Weekly paper

31. Newspaper Feature Story – Daily paper

32. Newspaper Regular Opinion/Editorial
Includes columns designed to persuade, such as opinion columns, editorials, commentaries, reviews, and critiques. Submit three to five pieces (submissions with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

33. Newspaper Regular Non-opinion/Informative Column
Includes columns designed to inform or entertain (not to persuade), such as science, health, travel, sports, humor, etc. Submit three to five pieces (submissions with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

34. Newspaper Feature Series, Special Section or Special Edition
At least half of series’ entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. Submit three to five pieces (submissions with fewer than three will not be judged).

35. Newspaper Investigative Series
At least half of series’ entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. Submit three to five pieces (submissions with fewer than three will not be judged).

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ONLINE MEDIA

Online materials (except Mobile Technology apps) must have been produced specifically for the Web between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

For categories 36-48:

Entry must include site URL
Entry must include description of individual or company responsible for website if outsourced
Judges must be able to access website (not an archive) from April 10 through July 10, 2023
No budget detail required in this category

36.Website – New
Synopsis must indicate if entry is based on Template or Original Design

37. Website – Existing
Synopsis must indicate if entry is based on Template or Original Design

38. Website – Mobile Technology

Have you developed and produced an app in 2022? Enter it here!

39. Online Journalism – Special News Section
Submit a section of a website that uses the Web’s unique features to present a news story.

40.Online Journalism – Special Feature Section
Submit a section of a website that uses the Web’s unique features to present a feature or investigative story.

41. Online Journalism – Feature Article
Submit a feature article written specifically for the web that includes a synopsis detailing the purpose of the article, research methodology and the target audience.

42. Online Journalism – Regular Column
Submit three to five columns (submission with fewer than three columns will not be judged).

43. Online Publication – External Publication
Submit an online publication that is updated at least quarterly.

Note: The blog submitted will need to be LIVE so that the judges can access it online between April 10 and July 10, 2023. It will be judged on content between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

44. Blog – Personal

Entry must demonstrate that the blog has achieved the objectives set forth
Entry must include description of individual responsible for blog if outsourced.

45. Blog – Corporate

Entry must demonstrate that the blog has achieved the objectives set forth
Entry must include description of company responsible for blog if outsourced

46. Podcast

47. Online Video Informational/Instructional

48. Online Video Entertainment

49. Video conferencing platforms.

Best use of Zoom or similar platforms (Google Meet, Microsoft Stream etc). Include a link to the recording of your entry and include password, if access is restricted. Include promotional materials.

Note: The recording submitted will need to be accessible online between April 10 and July 10, 2023.

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PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHICS

All photography entries must include:

A copy of the original publication in which your black and white or color photo(s) was published.
It must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022. (Wire service photos should be accompanied by documentation of their availability for use).
High resolution images at least 2MB in size.
All entries must have been published between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Wire service photos should be accompanied by documentation of their availability for use.
No budget detail required in this category.

50. Photo Journalism
Submit photo(s) published in a general circulation newspaper or magazine.

52. Editorial Cartoon
Submit 1-5 published editorial cartoons that comment on political or social issues. The synopsis should explain the issues and the cartoons’ context.

53. Logo
Submit a high-resolution image of the logo for each version used, if applicable (examples: grayscale; full color; with tag line and without; or a smaller, condensed version). Include additional information, such as description of client and intended use of the logo. Indicate whether the logo is new or redesigned. The logo must have been used. Not spec.

54. Special Design/Creation
Submit printed piece and explanation of how the use of art/graphic design effectively enhanced communication of the message to the intended audience. Include a summary on the success/response of this piece.

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PUBLIC RELATIONS

All entries in categories 55-64 must include:

The communications plan
Samples of print and broadcast materials used in the effort to communicate with relevant public and employees
News releases, photos, internal communication items, speeches, radio or television broadcasts
More than half of the project must have been implemented between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
Budget detail required

55. Public Relations One-time Campaign – Annual budget of $10,000 or less
Submit a campaign with a stated goal reflecting a single effort designed to accomplish a finite, one-time result. The campaign must have been completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

56. Public Relations One-time Campaign – Annual budget of $10,000 or more
Submit a campaign with a stated goal reflecting a single effort designed to accomplish a finite, one-time result. The campaign must have been completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

57. Public Relations Campaign, Ongoing – Annual budget of $50,000 or less
Submit an ongoing, long-term campaign. The campaign must have begun between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

58. Public Relations Campaign, Ongoing – Annual budget of $50,000 or more
Submit an ongoing, long-term campaign. The campaign must have begun between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

59. Public Service Community Affairs Campaign, One-Time
Submit a one-time public affairs campaign designed to accomplish stated objectives and goals with an explanation of the campaign’s influence on intended public. Entry must reflect intended results and progress toward achieving them. The campaign must have taken place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

60. Special Promotion
Submit a special promotion, contest, or program that was a part of a public relations campaign. Media kits and SWAG bags are judged in this category. More than half the entry must have been implemented between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

61. Annual Report
Submit an annual report directed toward constituents, clients or the general public. The report must have been produced between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

62. Community Relations
Submit materials used in a program to establish, improve or maintain an organization’s standing, image, or relationships in the community in which it operates. Includes white papers.

63. Crisis Communications
Submit materials reflecting a corporate or organizational response to an externally or internally generated problem of urgent concern. Detail proactive measures taken in preparation. The crisis and the response must have begun between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

64. Employee Relations Campaign
Submit materials used in a program to improve or maintain an organization’s relationship with its employees.

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RADIO

All radio entries must include:

Program script, (if script is unavailable, submit a full outline or description)
Recording of broadcast (URL to audio file)
Day, date, length and time of airing
No budget detail required in this category

Note: All entries must have aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, except for documentary series categories, where more than half must have aired during this time. Dramatized programs based on fact are eligible.

65. Radio Regular Feature Program
Submit a regularly aired radio feature program for public or commercial radio.

66. Radio Regular Talk or Interview Program
Submit three to five ½-hour segments from different broadcasts of a regularly aired radio talk show or interview program (submissions with fewer than three programs will not be judged).

67. Radio Feature Story
Submit a radio feature story for public or commercial radio.

68. Radio Documentary Series
Submit three to five programs on a given topic or theme (rather than one program presented as part of a regularly broadcast series; submissions with fewer than three programs will not be judged).

69. Radio Documentary, One Time
Submit a radio documentary for public or commercial radio.

70. Women’s Issues Radio Program
Submit a women’s issues radio program for public or commercial radio.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

All Social Media entries must include:

URL(s) of your social media channels
Synopsis of the purpose, guidelines, and target audience
Specific, measurable goals and quantified results
Strategy
Budget detail required

Note: More than half of the entry must have been implemented between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

71. Best Overall Social Media Content -- Business
Submit your social media channel(s) that tell the story of your business and present a coordinated marketing/public relations message.

72. Best Overall Social Media Content -- Non-profit
Submit your social media channel(s) that tell the story of your Non-profit and present a coordinated marketing/public relations message.

73. Best Social Media Channel
Submit a single social media channel.

74. Best Influencer Communication
Submit your channel(s) that have established your credibility in your specific industry or niche.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

All special events entries must include:

Outline of major aspects of event, including timeline
Marketing materials
Event program (if available)
Other printed materials (if available)
Website or social networking site (if available)
Include fundraising events in this category
More than half of the entry must have been implemented between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
Budget detail required

75. Conference or Seminar

76. Special Event

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STUDENT

Students may submit work developed as part of a campus group, a nonprofit organization, an internship, a corporate/professional client, or a class assignment. Students must be full time in Jr. College, College or University. All entries must have been created between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

All student entries must include:

Name of their university or college (high school students do not qualify)
Synopsis requirements
Budget component in Advertising or PR Campaign
Objective(s)
Description of the work
Samples or copies of any printed or online materials
Outcome of the work presented

77. Advertising or Public Relations Campaign
Budget detail required in this category

78. Written Original Material
This may include: Speeches, scripts, news releases, writing for online distribution

79. Student Publications – News or Feature
Student publication news or feature article, in print or online

81. Online Video Influencer

82. Online Video Entertainment

83. Student Social Media Campaign

84. Student Wild Card - Create Your Own Category
A media, film, broadcast, etc. or other communication project that does not fit in any of the categories previously listed. AWC reserves the option to re-categorize a Student Wild Card entry if we feel there is a more appropriate category that better matches your entry. Budget detail is required in this category.

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TELEVISION

All television entries must include:

Story or program script (if script unavailable, submit a full outline or description)
Video of entire story, segment, or program
Day, date, length, and time of airing (if entry is not a full program, note name of program on which it was broadcast)
For programs: Synopsis with statement of objective, applicable research, audience, market, viewer response and evaluation
No budget detail required in this category

Note: All entries must have aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, except for documentary series categories, where more than half must have aired during this time. Unless specified otherwise, entries may be of any length and, where indicated, may be formatted onto a composite tape. All entries must indicate length.

85. Television Spot News Story – National
Submit a breaking news story aired within 24 hours of the event Coverage (even live coverage) of a scheduled event is not spot news.

86. Television Feature Story/Segment (Comprehensive or ongoing) – Local or Regional
Submit feature segment(s) of any length.

87. Television Feature Story/Segment (Comprehensive or ongoing) – National
Submit feature segment(s) of any length.

88. Television Investigative Feature or Series – Local or Regional
Submit a television investigative feature or series.

89. Television Investigative Feature or Series – National
Submit a television investigative feature or series.

90. Television Documentary Program – Local or Regional
Submit a television documentary program of any length.

91. Television Documentary Program – National
Submit a television documentary program of any length.

92. Television Documentary Series – Local or Regional
Submit multiple programs on a given topic or theme (rather than one program presented as part of a regularly broadcast series).

93. Television Documentary Series – National
Submit multiple programs on a given topic or theme (rather than one program presented as part of a regularly broadcast series).

94. Television Public Service Announcement
Submit an announcement of 30 seconds or less on a topic in the public interest

95. Television Commercial

Submit a produced television advertisement with script. Entry must be 60 seconds or less.

96. Television Talk Show – Local or Regional
Submit a talk show format program, cable or broadcast. Program will be evaluated for professionalism, social responsibility, and educational value.

97. Television Talk Show – National
Submit a talk show format program, cable or broadcast. Program will be evaluated for professionalism, social responsibility, and educational value.

98. Television Show – Informational – Local or Regional
Submit programming, cable or broadcast, designed to inform (i.e. cooking or home improvement).

99. Television Show – Informational – National
Submit programming, cable or broadcast, designed to inform (i.e. cooking or home improvement).

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CREATE YOUR OWN

100. CREATE YOUR OWN
If you don't think there is a category that matches your entry - create your own! Note that you could be competing against a variety of unrelated entries, so your best option is to complete in the closest category. AWC reserves the option to re-categorize a Create Your Own entry if we feel there is a more appropriate category that better matches your entry. Budget detail is required in this category.