Award Entry Checklist

The checklist below contains important rules and is an integral part of your entry. Please read it carefully and follow the instructions step-by-step. 

Scoring of entries will be based on four phases: research, analysis/planning, communications/execution and evaluation. Failure to address these elements will result in a significantly lower score and may lead to disqualification. 

 

  • A substantial part of your program should have taken place between June 2024 and July 2025.
  • Choose the most appropriate category. A program may be entered in one Aurora Award category only. Pieces of a program may be entered in the appropriate Award of Excellence categories. 
  • Doublecheck your award write-up and supplemental materials to ensure they meet the judging criteria and showcase examples of your work.

Aurora Awards

Research

(10 points)

  • What type of research did you conduct to inform your planning? Primary research involves original research, including focus groups, interviews, data and analytics software and surveys. Secondary research involves searching existing resources for information or data related to a particular need, strategy or goal (e.g., web-based research, industry reports and market analyses).
  • What methods, strategies, and/or tools were implemented to arrive at your insights into and analysis of the campaign?

Planning

(10 points)

  • What were the plan goals?
  • What were the specific, measurable objectives of the plan?
  • Who were the target audiences?
  • What strategies were used?
  • Describe the originality and creativity of this work.
  • Budget planning (Actual budget numbers not needed)

    Implementation

    (10 points)

    • How was the plan executed?
    • What were the key tactics and tools?
    • Were there any difficulties encountered or in-progress adjustments needed? If so, how were they handled?
    • Were other organizations involved?
    • Were nontraditional public relations tactics used?
    • Was a timeline included in the plan?

    Evaluation

    (10 points)

    • What methods of evaluation were used?
    • What were your results?
    • How did the results compare to the specific, measurable objectives you identified in the planning section?
    • How well do the results reflect the original strategy and planning?
    • Is there anything you’d do differently next time?
    • Cost effectiveness, if applicable.
    • Nomination write up – Introduce your activity and address each element of the judges’ criteria. Nomination write-ups must be no longer than two typewritten pages.

    • Support materials – Include additional information such as data points, pictures, letters, screenshots and other items used for this activity. The more supplemental information you can provide, the better it is for the judges who live in another state and likely have never heard of your campaign. Links to video or audio files should be provided in the support materials section of the nomination. Please include full web address in case hyperlink does not work.

    • Nomination photo – Upload one photo that visually represents your entry. This is not visible to the judges but will be used on-screen during the announcement of the winners at the Aurora Awards celebration. (In the past, entrants were asked to submit the images as part of a PowerPoint slide. That is no longer necessary. Please submit one stand-alone image.)
    • Brief summary – a summary, no longer than 80 words, of the Aurora Awards campaign. This will be used by the judges in consideration for the APR’s Choice Award. Tip: the summary should include a reference about the impact the campaign and its measurable success.
    Submit Your Aurora Award Entry!

    Awards of Excellence

    Background

    (5 points)

    • Background of current situation, audience and environment
    • Identification of need / problem statement.
    • What research was conducted to inform the need for this tactic?

    Planning & Content

    (10 points)

    • Overall campaign goal and how this tactic fits within the campaign
    • Measurable objectives related specifically to this tactic
    • Target audiences
    • Budget planning (actual budget numbers not needed)

    Creativity & Quality

    (15 points)

    • Implementation methods
    • Materials and resources used
    • Creativity and originality
    • In-progress adjustments
    • Technical excellence

    Results

    (10 points)

    • Evidence of success – qualitative, quantitative or both
    • Provide evidence of how the stated measurable objectives were met
    • How the entry impacted the success of a broader or ongoing campaign
    • Cost effectiveness, if applicable
    • Nomination write-up – introduce your activity and address each element of the judges’ criteria. Award of Excellence nomination write-ups must be no longer than one typewritten page.
    • Support materials – Include appropriate information such as an example of the piece, data points, pictures, letters, screenshots and other items. Links to video or audio files should be provided in the support materials section of the nomination. Please include full web address in case hyperlink does not work.
    • Photo – Upload one photo that visually represent your entry. This are not visible to the judges but will be used on-screen during the announcement of the winners at the Aurora Awards celebration.
    Submit Your Award of Excellence Entry!