The competition is open to all local government jurisdictions and agencies. Communicators and marketing professionals from other departments within your organization are also eligible to enter at the member rate.
Public relations firms, consultants, and advertising agencies may submit entries on behalf of their local government clients. However, these entries must be submitted under the client’s name and jurisdiction.
You may submit the same project once in each of the three main categories: Communication and Marketing Tools, Communication and Marketing Processes, and Graphic Design and Photography, if applicable. However, the same project cannot be entered into multiple subcategories within the same main category. For example, a video cannot be submitted in multiple video categories or in other subcategories under Communication and Marketing Tools.
Multiple entries may be submitted in any category, provided each represents a different project. However, submitting the same entry in a different language does not qualify as a separate submission.
Entry Submission Limits - Each organization may enter up to three submissions per category, while following other competition rules. For the purposes of the Savvy competition, multiple offices within one agency may consider themselves separate if the work done by those offices is independent of the other offices entering the competition. For example, a centralized communication office may enter three submissions into one category, while that organization’s Parks & Recreation department may enter three separate entries in the same category if the work is completed by the Parks & Recreation department staff.
NEW for 2026: Entries must have been implemented or obtained measurable results in the award time frame and must be submitted under the following guidelines: - Repeat Entries – The exact same project, program, post, campaign, or entry may not be submitted in multiple years. - Partial Entries – A component or segment of a previous entry may not be resubmitted as a standalone entry. - Recurring Programs – Ongoing or recurring programs may be entered in multiple years only if the entry materials (content and, documentation, and goals) are substantially different from those submitted previously. Repurposed or Redone Work – Reposted, repurposed, or repeated projects may only be entered if a significant portion of the content, strategy, or execution has been materially revised since the earlier submission.
An entry consists of the following: The online entry itself, supporting documents, descriptive letter, short descriptor and payment of entry fees. For intranet sites and electronic newsletters not accessible to the public, include instructions on how judges can view the site. If submitting a printed newsletter, please include at least two, but no more than four, different issues of the newsletters with your attachments in your online entry.
The 3CMA online entry requires the same information as in previous years, only submitted electronically:
A descriptive letter that includes: problem/opportunity statement, intended goals or outcomes, documentation of achievement, and budget and use of outside resources.
Supporting documentation that can be submitted in two places in the online process:
After completing the documentation of achievement in the online form, you can submit documentation that demonstrates that achievement.
A separate tab on the awards portal lets you submit other important documents for your entry.
A short descriptor of the entry to include in the Savvy Guidebook.
A 30-second clip for video entries to be shown during the awards ceremony if selected as a Savvy Award winner.
A high-resolution image (.jpg, .gif, .png) for all non-video entries to be shown during the awards ceremony if selected as a Savvy Award winner.