If you want to make your entry stand out from the pack, read our insider tips and tricks. Like any good journalist pitch, a few tweaks can transform something decent into something impossible to ignore.
Before you start putting your heads together, ascertain who your most talented writer is. Even if it’s someone who has only been in their role for a year or so – choose them!
Not only will the copy sing, which will be appreciated by our expert wordsmith judging panel, but it’s a great opportunity to make a junior PR feel appreciated.
Remember, the judges are storytellers so make sure you’re the same. If you’re a one-man-band, ensure that someone critiques your application before submitting it. Watch spelling and grammar and when it comes to submitting, proofread it so many times that you almost know the copy by heart.
You might have two or three campaigns you’re particularly proud of and could find it hard to choose.
We suggest you focus on which is the most creative, of the moment, innovative and stand-out regardless of budget, or lack of. Judges will be particularly happy to read applications where it’s obvious that a team’s creative juices have flowed wild and free.
If you are excited about what you achieved editorially, then you’re likely to communicate this fervour to the judges effectively.
Stick to them! Don’t rush an entry, take your time. Six weeks lead-time for the application is plenty to get this right.
Be proud of what you submit, rather than regretful that you’ve rushed it and sent in something with room for improvement.
You are up against the best in the biz so there’ll be no hiding. Oh, and factor in time for client approval.
Shed all modesty, the judges want to see why you are the best of the bunch.
And back up your claims with enough industry data and context to hammer home the point. Include as much evaluation data and evidence of the impact of the campaign on the client business or organisation as possible, from an increase in sales to higher levels of engagement with audiences.
Don’t assume that the journalists will understand the backstory: tell it clearly and proudly. And most excellent campaigns or coverage come down to teamwork, so we’re keen to know how you all came together to give this campaign or coverage its X-factor.
Whose lives did this campaign affect? Did it have an impact on a community project linked to the client? Is there a human story within or behind the work that could move the judges to tears (kidding… not kidding)?
Powerful storytelling is what we love in this game and, if it’s really powerful, it’ll make your application stand out. Prove that your work was compelling, and meaningful and went above and beyond the client brief.
