| PRism Award FAQs |
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The PRSA-LA Prism Award submission process is 100% online.
Please review the 2013 PRism Award Call For Entry information thoroughly as it contains all the information needed to prepare and submit entries. If after reviewing the Call For Entries information you still have questions, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions below. We will continue updating the FAQs periodically as other questions arise throughout the process. See below on whom to contact if your question is not addressed here.
Who can enter? The awards are open to all public relations practitioners who work in the Greater Los Angeles County area, Ventura County and Santa Barbara County or who have completed work for clients based in those areas. Work must have been completed between July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013.
Where can I find the Entry Forms? 2013 PRism Award Entry Forms are only accessible at www.prsala.org. PRism Awards entries may only be submitted online via our electronic entry system. PRSA-LA is no longer accepting hardcopies.
How can I pay for my Award entries? Payments for entries will be accepted via the online entry system this year. PRSA-LA encourages electronic payment. To pay by check, please contact PRSA-LA Executive Director Mindy Carson Brundige at .
How do I pick the proper category? Pick the category that best represents your entry. Extensive time and thought has gone into the Campaign, Program and Tactic categories/sub-categories. If you cannot find a proper place for your entry, please place it in the category you feel best matches the campaign, program or tactic.
Entrants are responsible for designating the correct category and/or subcategory for each entry. Judges are not required to assign or re-assign categories for entries.
Why are there separate sections for Programs and Tactics? The PRSA-LA Board decided to keep our awards consistent with the PRSA National Silver Anvil Award program of separating programs and campaigns and the Bronze Anvils for tactical initiatives.
What is the difference between a PRism Award and an Award of Excellence? PRism Award trophies are given to honor the best entry in each of the entry categories (Strategic Campaigns & Programs and Tactical Campaigns & Programs). Based on the results of the judges an entrant may receive an Award of Excellence certificate for their entry even if judges did not award a PRism in that category.
I registered through the online systems last year, do I need to register again? Yes. If you used the system to submit an entry in 2012, you must register again for this year's awards. However, if you enter the same email as last year, all of your details will be filled in for you. To register, click on the Register Here link.
Why does it appear that the awards categories have changed this year? The PRSA-LA board and PRism Awards committee periodically review categories to make sure they are consistent, current and relevant with the PR work being executed by our community. Some categories and designations were also redesigned for clarity and consistency. For examples, this year, the board renamed Multicultural Communications Program to Diversity Communications Program.
Why is there an Early and Final Deadline? We want to give you every opportunity to prepare your entry in a way that meets your high standards. We also want to give you the opportunity to save money on entry fees if you get your entry in early. See the Call for Entry or the Rules tab on the online entry system for deadlines. The new online submission process will give you more time to prepare your entry, as the submissions no longer have to be shipped, mailed or hand-delivered.
Do we need permission from my client or employer to submit an entry? PRSA-LA recommends that you secure approval from your client and/or employer prior to submitting an entry. PRSA-LA accepts all award entries as if permission has been granted. Refunds will not be given and entries will not be disqualified if there is a complaint that an entry was submitted without authorization. Disputes involving clients, employers and submitters must be addressed by the parties. PRSA-LA will not mediate.
Does submitting an entry guarantee we'll win an award? No. Public relations executives will evaluate each entry. Awards are only granted when the judges deem an entry worthy. From time to time, no awards will be granted in a category where there were no meritorious entries.
Will we be notified of a winning entry? Entrants will be notified that they are a finalist, but not whether they have won a PRism or an Award of Excellence. All awards will be presented at the 2013 PRism Award Show. Details will be announced soon.
What do we win? All finalists will receive an award. PRism Award winners receive a trophy; Award of Excellence winners receive a certificate.
What information is needed for the entry description? Please provide the following information about your submission: Overview; Research; Objectives; Target Audiences; Execution/Implementation; Budget; Measurement/Evaluation; and Results. While these sections are broken out on the electronic form, we recommend that all told the information be covered in less than two pages, if it were submitted in hard copy.
What are the qualifications of the judges? Judges are selected by the PRSA-LA Board. The judges group comprises senior PR practitioners with many collective years of experience. We seek to have as many judges as possible with APR or Fellow status. PRSA-LA provides judges our criteria and score sheets, along with training on our standards and best practices.
What criteria will the judges use to score the entries? Entries will be scored on the following items:
What if our entry must remain confidential? The nature of the PRism Award process cannot preserve confidentiality. If you have confidential work that cannot be shared, it should not be submitted. Award entries become the public property of PRSA-LA and may be used in promotional endeavors or for educational purposes.
Does PRSA-LA release program budgets? No. However, to be eligible for an award you must submit a budget for entry. While certain categories are based on budget, PRSA-LA does not release specific budget information.
Will entrants receive the judges' score sheets? No, the judges' online score sheets are the property of the PRSA-LA chapter.
Is there a dispute process? No. The PRism Awards are a volunteer-driven program. Judging is based on criteria set out in the Call for Entries and all scores and decisions are final.
How can I become involved in the PRism process? PRSA-LA encourages volunteers to participate in the PRism Awards. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the PRism Awards Committee, which manages the Call For Entries and Judging process, or volunteering for the PRism Awards Show, contact PRSA-LA Executive Director Mindy Carson Brundige at .
Whom should I call with questions? Please review the Call for Entries Forms and these FAQs for answers to your questions. If you have additional questions, please email Eric Moses at . We will email you a response and/or post the updated Q&A on this FAQ document for others.
Our agency is based in Orange County. Can we submit an entry for the PRSA-LA PRism Awards? Yes, provided project or service was performed for clients based in greater Los Angeles.
Can we submit a campaign that started in March 2012 and ended in July 2013? The campaign began before the allotted award time period (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013), but it was completed during that time period. The start date for your campaign does not affect eligibility. What matters is that the end date occurs during the award time period. The eligibility requirements state "work must have been completed between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013." |