Division 4: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

This Division includes marketing and communication elements that showcase technical skills such as editing, writing, design, and multimedia production. Entries in this division are generally tactical in nature. Entrants must demonstrate strategic alignment, with the creative process and measurable results tied to objectives.

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NEW THIS YEAR: SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATIONS AND BREAKTHROUGHS AND INNOVATIONS

Sustainability Communications – refers to communication campaigns that businesses/companies undertake in the fulfillment of sustainability goals, usually relating to the areas of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) projects and initiatives.

For Example: SUSTAINABILITY COMMS: (TITLE OF ENTRY)

Breakthroughs and Innovations – cutting-edge, ground-breaking, out-of-the-box, “next generation” conceptualizations and executions employing new strategies, platforms, and technologies.

For Example: BREAKTHROUGHS AND INNOVATIONS: (TITLE OF ENTRY)

Category 20: SPECIAL AND EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS

  • Planning and execution of a special event for an internal or external audience
  • For internal audiences, this may include employee appreciation events, or events that mark a significant occasion such as an anniversary, internal conference or meeting, or a celebration or special retirement
  • For external audiences, this may include conferences, workshops, anniversaries, official openings, product launches, road shows, and customer events.

Category 21: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION / COMMUNICATION FOR THE WEB

  • Online communication vehicles that are produced for internal or external audiences
  • Electronic and interactive communication channels such as websites, intranets, online stores, and microsites

Category 22: AUDIO/VISUAL

  • Communication vehicles for internal or external audiences, using sound, images, video, apps, film, slides, or a combination of these elements
  • May include webinars, video and/or audio materials, podcasts, PowerPoint or other presentations, infographics, and interactive content and film. Does not include advertising commercials or websites.

Category 23: SOCIAL MEDIA PROGRAMS

  • Engages internal and external audiences in conversation through social media
  • Encompasses tools and practices that allow individuals and groups to collaborate and share knowledge and experiences online
  • May use conversation-enabled publishing platforms such as blogs and podcasts; social networks such as Twitter, LinkedIn,Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and others; democratized content networks such as wikis and message boards; content-sharing sites such as YouTube and Flickr; and virtual networking platforms.

Category 24: PUBLICATIONS

  • Publications produced for internal or external audiences in all formats, including hard copy and electronic
  • May include magazines, newspapers, newsletters or tabloids, annual reports, books, special publications, brochures and other advertising material, e-newsletters, and similar material

Category 25: WRITING

  • This category includes writing in both print and electronic formats:

JOURNALISM:

  • Material in which the news media is the primary communication channel
  • May include, but is not limited to, editorials, interpretive/expository articles, news releases, and feature stories

 CORPORATE WRITING:

  • Material written primarily for use by an organization to inform or educate employees or external stakeholders
  • May include recurring features or columns, magazines, newsletters, internal or special publications, stand -alone features, speeches and presentations, executive correspondence, scripts for corporate use, writing for an intranet, internal publications, technical writing, and annual and special reports

PROMOTIONAL WRITING:

  • Material written to persuade customers, consumers, employees, or stakeholders to adopt a point of view or to purchase goods or services
  • May include commercials, advertising, marketing or sales promotion material, advertorials, and various copy/content intended for both offline and online platforms/channels

 NONPROFIT WRITING:

  • Material written to promote nonprofit organizations, including IABC regional and chapter events

WRITING – SPECIAL PROJECTS:

  • Books (fiction and nonfiction), educational material, scripts for theatrical use, and other writing projects not covered above