Communication and Marketing Tools

Best Use of Social Media

• Single Post - An individual social media post that achieved notable impact through creativity, engagement, and relevance. The post demonstrates exceptional content quality and effectiveness in connecting with the target audience.
• Overall Strategy - A comprehensive social media strategy that effectively leverages platforms to engage the audience, build a strong online community and support broader organizational goals. Entries should highlight innovative tactics, strategic planning, execution, adaptability across platforms, and measurable results that support overall communication goals.
• Campaign - A well-executed multi-post social media campaign with specific goals, start and end dates and a clear narrative. Entries should emphasize creativity and strategic planning while showcasing a focused effort to achieve significant outreach, awareness or behavior change. 

Video

• Education/Training - Dynamic videos that educate the public or employees on specific issues, procedures, or best practices. Videos should be informative, clear, and engaging, with a strong emphasis on practical outcomes.
• Interview/Talk Show/News Programming - An interview-based, talk show, panel discussion or news-style video programming that informs and engages the community. Entries should feature compelling content, polished production, and meaningful communication of key topics.
• One-Time Special Programming - One-time programming that captures significant events, messages, or issues with purpose and artistry. Entries should highlight originality, production quality, and alignment with the program’s goals.
• Promotional Video - Videos that focus on promoting an event, program, service, or organization, designed to inspire interest or action from the audience. Entries should showcase engaging content, clear objectives and measurable success.
• Public Service Announcement - Short, impactful videos often focused on behavioral change that are designed to inform and motivate the public on important issues. Entries should highlight powerful storytelling, a strong call-to-action, and measurable influence on public behavior.
• Regularly Scheduled Programming - A recurring video series designed to educate, inform, entertain or engage the audience through well-planned and executed episodes. Entries should feature cohesive storytelling, consistent production standards, and a clear purpose in serving their audience.

Marketing and Tools

• Best use of a Promotional Item - An item that best amplifies a message while leaving a lasting impression. Winning entries will showcase creativity, purpose and results in driving public awareness.
• Branding/New Logo/etc. - Branding campaigns or new logos that effectively represent an organization, program, or initiative. Entries should showcase originality, thoughtful, creative design and measurable success in resonating with the target audience.
• Economic Development - Communication efforts in promoting economic development initiatives, fostering growth, and attracting investment. Successful entries will highlight creativity, audience engagement, and clear impact on economic growth.
• Government Service Delivery/Community Issue - Innovative programs, services, or delivery system improvements that address critical community issues and enhance government service delivery. Entries should showcase creative approaches, impactful and measurable outcomes, and a clear focus on meeting resident needs.
• Best Use of Humor - The skillful incorporation of humor to break barriers, humanize messaging, and achieve campaign goals. Submissions should highlight originality, audience resonance and effectiveness

Publications

• Annual Report - Comprehensive documents that highlight an organization’s year-long achievements, financial data and strategic initiatives. Entries should be informative, visually appealing and effectively communicate the organization’s impact and future goals.
• Catalogs/Guides - Publications that provide detailed, user-friendly overviews of offerings, programs, or services. Entries should demonstrate effective layout, clear organization and serve as a practical resource for the intended audience.
• External Publications - Newsletters or magazines tailored to external readers, delivering updates, news and articles relevant to the organization’s field or community. Entries should showcase editorial quality, compelling visuals, high production value and demonstrated impact. 
• Style or Branding Guide - Comprehensive guides that outline an organization’s branding, voice and visual identity standards. Entries should emphasize consistency, usability, and alignment with brand values.
• Other - Publications that do not fit traditional categories but demonstrates excellence in communication, design and impact, such as white papers, research briefs and event programs. Successful entries will have strong design, clear communication goals and demonstrated impact. 

Digital Interactive

• Electronic Newsletters - Digital newsletters designed to communicate information effectively to a specific audience, whether internal (staff) or external (public/community). Entries should feature compelling content, user-friendly design, and measurable effectiveness in delivering key messages.
• Issue Specific Website - Websites developed to address a particular topic, event, or initiative, such as a budget presentation, survey, or special event. Entries should reflect strategic design, informative content, and well-thought-out organization tailored to the issue’s objectives. 
• Other Media - Non-video digital media formats, such as radio programs, podcasts or other innovative content, designed to inform, educate or entertain specific audiences. Entries should showcase compelling narratives, originality, clear messaging, and technical excellence.
• Overall Website - Comprehensive websites that serve as the organization’s primary digital presence. These sites should provide a seamless, informative, and engaging user experience and quality design tailored to the organization’s needs. 

Special Events

Marketing tools and special activities to promote celebrations, dedications, ribbon cuttings and other programs.

• One-Time Event - A single, stand-alone event that has not previously occurred and is not planned to occur in the future. Successful entries will showcase compelling outreach, strategic communication planning, and measurable success in achieving goals.
• Recurring Event - Events that happen more than once and that maintain momentum and expand impact with each iteration. Successful entries will showcase strategic planning, brand consistency, and long-term engagement.