ENTERYOURFINEST 2021 MEDALLIONENTER YOUR ENTERYOURAWARDS FINEST ENTERYOUR ENTERYOURFINEST ENTERYOURFINEST ENTERYOURFINEST ENTERYOURFINEST ENTERYOURFINEST ENTER YOUR passion ENTRY DETAILS

who can enter The creative effort/concept must 2021 have originated from a community medallion or technical college or district or AWARDS state governing organization for two-year colleges. Entries may not be submitted through an ad You’ve done great work. You’ve put in extra hours. agency; make submissions through a college, district or state govern- You deserve to be celebrated for your accomplishments. ing association only. In a time when creativity has been stretched to the limits, it’s what to enter important to take the time to reflect on your relentless pursuit of Entries must have been published, broadcast, displayed and used excellence. Show everyone the inspirational work you and your between July 1, 2020 and team have produced during one of the most challenging years June 30, 2021. in recent memory. Entries must be new designs or publications in the entry year; those that represent previously Sponsored by the National Council for Recognized as the leading professional submitted work with minor Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), development organization for two-year modifications will be disqualified. the Medallion Awards recognize outstanding college communicators, NCMPR provides achievement in design and communication regional and national conferences, Entries must be original, creative at community and technical colleges webinars, a leadership institute, relevant work WITHOUT THE USE OF in each of seven districts. It’s the only information on emerging marketing TEMPLATES customized for regional competition of its kind that honors and PR trends, and connections to a individual college use. excellence exclusively among marketing network of more than 1,700 colleagues A contestant may submit as many and public relations professionals at two- across the country. NCMPR is an affiliate entries in each category as desired. year colleges. council of the American Association THE SAME ENTRY may not be of Community Colleges. submitted in two separate categories except as noted. JUDGING — The district Medallion Awards will be judged by a combination of NCMPR peers and industry experts (those in marketing, public relations and communication outside of community colleges) in each of NCMPR’s seven districts. (NOTE: NCMPR’s IMPORTANT! national Paragon Awards are judged by outside industry experts.) NCMPR carefully screens each entry and reserves the right to make No mail-in required. You will not be adjustments to categories and WHAT’S NEW? required to mail physical copies. All placement in categories as categories will be judged online. determined to be in the best interest of those submitting entries and Have inspiring COVID-19 work the contest rules. Please be sure to submit? There are plenty of your entries meet all category In the 2021 Medallion Awards competition, categories to choose from. Not sure? requirements. Entries that don’t meet you’ll notice a few key changes and notes. Contact your Medallion coordinator requirements may be disqualified. if you have questions. Sorry, fees will not be refunded. New and updated categories. Look for the newly added “Podcast,” “Representative No fee increases. The early-bird Marketing – Diversity and Inclusion” and and regular entry fees are the same as “Successful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion last year. Marketing” categories and the updated “Novelty,” “Radio Ad” and “TV/ Paid Ad” category. 2 MEDALLION AWARDS ENTER YOUR best

ENTRY DEADLINES

July 23: Early Bird Entries must be UPLOADED by 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

AUG. 4: Regular Entries must be UPLOADED by 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

* Mail-in entries will not be required this year.

Entry Returns/Rights AWARDS Statement — NCMPR districts Gold, silver and bronze awards will ENTRY fees assume the right to use entries be awarded in the college’s name. for exhibition, publication and Additional copies of awards are not publicity. Entrants agree to hold available for ordering separately. NCMPR harmless of any claims Announcement of Winners NCMPR MEMBERS that may be made against it by Early Bird – $30 per entry reason of such reproductions. Winners will be notified in early Soliciting releases is the sole September if they have placed in (for entries submitted on or before responsibility of the entrant. one of the top three spots. Districts July 23) will announce the gold, silver Rules/Appeals Committee — REGULAR – $40 per entry and bronze winners in virtual Contestants have 30 days ceremonies this fall. (for entries submitted and paid for from the date of the awards after July 23 and by Aug. 4) presentation to file a written Watch for more details at appeal with their NCMPR district. ncmpr.org/medallion-awards. NONMEMBERS The district’s executive council $80 per entry shall act as the final authority in all matters.

Questions? Questions about acceptable formats for entries and/or placement in specific categories should be addressed to your district Medallion coordinator.

3 MEDALLION STEP-BY-STEP AWARDS SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Create Your Account or Log In 1) If this is your first time logging in to the award platform, go tohttps://ncmpr.secure-platform.com to create an account. Select My Account on the top navigation bar. Complete the required fields under Create My Account. You will receive an email confirmation that your account has been successfully set up. If you don’t find your college on the drop-down list, call the national office at 505-349-0500. NCMPR recommends you designate one individual from your college to submit and pay for all entries. When returning to the site, click on My Account to login.

2) If you submitted entries in the 2020 district Medallion or Paragon Awards, you will use your same username and password to log in. Go to https://ncmpr.secure-platform.com to log in under My Account.

Submit Entries Pay for Entries 1) Click on your district page to Submit 1) Log in to My Account. Your Entries. 2) Click on In Cart and select the Checkout button. 2) Complete the point of contact/entrant information. Hit Save and Next. 3) You may pay by check or by credit card. 3) • To guarantee the early-bird rate, you must Select the award category and complete the complete the payment process on or before the required fields. early-bird deadline of July 23. If you submit entries before July 23 but don’t process payment 4) Submit supporting documentation (URLs, PDFs, etc.). IMPORTANT: Ensure entry items are not by that date, you will be charged the regular rate. password-protected. Entries could be disqualified (Check payments may be sent to NCMPR after the if work samples are inaccessible. early-bird deadline as long as an invoice has been generated by July 23.)

5) Save OR Complete your entry: • If paying by check, make checks payable to • Click Save if you want to save your entry NCMPR. Please include “Medallion entries” on the information and return later to finalize it. The memo line of the check. Mail the check and a copy entry will show up under In Progress on your of the invoice to the NCMPR national office at: account dashboard. NCMPR • Click Add to Cart to complete your entry; 5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE #J-254 you can then Make Another Entry, Print Albuquerque, NM 87109 Entries or Checkout (to process payment). It’s recommended that you submit all entries before * Be sure to include a copy of the invoice processing payment. Once you make payment with your check. you won’t be able to go back and make revisions 4) to your entries. Once payment is processed, print your invoice and entry confirmation. After paying, you will receive confirmation via email. You may also go back to your account at any time to retrieve receipts/invoices.

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ENTERYOURCREATIVITY submit your entries here: https://ncmpr.secure-platform.com MEDALLION submit your entries here: AWARDS CATEGORIES https://ncmpr.secure-platform.com

PRINT 11. Poster (Single or Series): Upload a PDF of the poster(s) and NOTE: Please upload a PDF and NOTE: Judging will be done in a photo of it/them in use so judges image of the entry in use. Include a real time, and judges will look can view overall size and impact. detailed description of the physical at design, content, frequency of For a series, limit to three posters. piece, including print specs, that posts, engagement, strategy and will help judges visualize the piece. DIGITAL / ELECTRONIC MEDIA effectiveness. Provide the URL, along with key analytics. 1. Academic Catalog or Class NOTE: For all digital/electronic Schedule entries, provide a PDF or URL for ** If submitting more than one 2. each entry. social media platform, submit each Viewbook: Publication should as a separate entry. ** be used primarily for student IMPORTANT: Digital publications recruitment. should be hosted online with 18. Social Media: Focus is on your 3. interactive and dynamic features. college’s page, Twitter, Annual Report: Publication may Print documents that are simply TikTok or accounts. focus on the college as a whole or saved as PDFs do not qualify. the foundation. VIDEO 12. Electronic Catalog, Class 4. NOTE: Video files should be housed Newsletter: Up to 16 pages Schedule, Viewbook or Annual on the college website, YouTube in length. Report: Although a bit different in channel or other video-sharing site. 5. content, these are major college Magazine: More than 16 pages Provide a URL for the entry. in length. publications that provide an overview of programs, classes and ** Be sure video entries meet all 6. Brochure (Single or Series): services offered to students. requirements and do not exceed the If submitting a series, limit to three 13. specified time limit. ** brochures. Electronic Newsletter: May be targeted to either internal or 19. Promotional Brand Video: 7. Book or Specialty Publication: external audiences. Entries must be more than 2 minutes Includes photo books, art gallery 14. in length. Used for general recruitment, magazines, anniversary books, E-Cards: Includes thank-you special event, image building and student handbooks, literary cards, holiday greeting cards, brand awareness for the entire magazines and other publications invitations to special events, etc., college or specific programs. with a specialty niche. that are delivered in an e-format. 20. Video Shorts (Single): No longer 8. 15. Flyer (Single or Series): Website: Focus is on the than 2 minutes in length and are Single-page, one- or two-sided. No college’s entire website. typically unpaid marketing or PR folds. Maximum size 8.5 x 11. For a 16. Microsite/Landing Page: Focus is used on social media, series, limit to three in the series. on individual pages or small clusters YouTube or the college website. 9. Postcard (Single or Series): of pages that function as a discrete 21. Video Shorts (Series): No longer Entries must be able to be mailed entity within the college’s main than 2 minutes in length and are without an envelope and must website or an entirely different URL. typically unpaid marketing or PR meet U.S. Postal Service postcard 17. Podcast: Focus is on the podcast’s videos used on social media, requirements. No folded pieces landing page and episode quality. YouTube or the college website. allowed. For a series, limit Judging will take place in real time Limit to three in the series. to three. and focus on design, content, 10. Notes/Cards/Invitations frequency, engagement, strategy and (Single or Series): Includes thank- effectiveness. Please indicate a you cards, holiday greeting cards, single episode for consideration. invitations to special events, etc. For a series, limit to three.

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ENTERYOURHEART early-bird deadline: july 23 (5 P.M. PACIFIC) MEDALLION Mail-in entries are not required this year. AWARDS CATEGORIES All entries will be made online for 2021.

PHOTOGRAPHY/ILLUSTRATION 28. Television/Video Paid Advertise- ment (Single or Series): 90-second 22. Original Photography – campaign (press releases, fact sheets, maximum length. Includes ads for brochures, posters, media coverage, Unmanipulated: Color or black- TV and other video platforms like radio and TV spots, videos, etc.). and-white. OK to adjust color, YouTube and mobile. Movie theater Please make sure URL links provided exposure or blemishes. Include a ads should be submitted in this are valid for at least 60 days following brief statement of how the photo category. Provide total ad spend in the submission deadline. was used. dollars and a URL for the entry. If Individual items included as 23. Original Photography – submitting a series, combine them in elements of these campaigns may Manipulated: Color or black-and- a single file with a single URL. also be entered in other categories. white. Submit original, unaltered 29. Digital Ad (Single or Series): An The same event may not be photo and manipulated photo. ad formatted for various platforms entered in two different campaign Include a brief statement of how the (Facebook ads, Google ads, Web categories. photo was used and how it was banner ads, etc.). Provide PDF or 32. manipulated. URL. If submitting a series, combine Communication Success Story or Crisis Communication: 24. Logo Design: Provide a PDF of them in a single PDF. Entries may focus on college-driven the logo design and photos showing 30. Outdoor Media (Single or media or external media coverage of items with the logo in use (limit to Series): Entries may be billboards, a feature or news-based story, college three samples). banners, bus panels or other event or program, or a college crisis. 25. Computer-Generated large-display advertising posted (Do not submit plans but examples Illustration: Provide a PDF of the outdoors. Submit artwork in a PDF of actual media coverage.) illustration. Must be accompanied along with a photo of the advertising 33. Government or Community with example of illustration in use. in use. For a series, limit to three. Relations Campaign: Entries Examples of illustrations for this 31. Interior Signage/Displays should be one of the following: an category include those created in (Single or Series): Entries may be information or lobbying campaign Photoshop, Illustrator and FreeHand exhibit booths, displays, wall murals, on behalf of the college directed to and are often part of a larger piece window clings, directional signage legislators or elected officials; an (e.g., poster, flyer, banner, video). or other displays designed for indoor information campaign to educate Items entered in this category may use. Submit artwork in a PDF along the community about your college; also be entered in other categories. with a photo of the entry in use. For a communication program ADVERTISING a series, limit to three. regarding a unique class, program or action designed to help solve a 26. Print Advertisement (Single or CAMPAIGNS community problem; or an information Series): Provide a PDF. If submitting For all campaign entries, provide: campaign to promote a college bond a series, limit to three and include or property tax referendum. them in a single PDF. • the project’s objectives; • strategies and tactics 34. Special Event or Fundraising 27. Radio Advertisement (Single or developed to meet those Campaign: Types of programs Series): Typically :10, :15, :30 or objectives; include college commencements, :60 seconds. Provide total ad spend anniversaries, dedications, in dollars and a URL for the entry. If • the results and outcomes. fundraising galas, annual giving submitting a series, combine them in Combine all elements of the campaigns or other college events. a single file with a single URL. campaign in a two-page summary 35. Successful Recruitment or that is saved as a PDF and Marketing Program: Programs optimized for quick download. should be larger in scope than Include digital photos, PDFs and simple promotion campaigns but URLs of communication pieces used more targeted than a college’s entire in the implementation of the marketing plan for the year. 6

ENTERYOURvision regular/final deadline: aug. 4 (5 P.M. PACIFIC) MEDALLION To guarantee the early-bird rate, AWARDS CATEGORIES you must complete the payment process on or before July 23.

36. Social Media or Online 38. Successful Diversity, Equity 40. Novelty: Examples include Marketing Campaign: A single and Inclusion Marketing: Entries T-shirts, cups, key chains, masks, program or campaign that promotes should target a non-majority student calendars, coloring books, and other a central event, theme or idea and group. Examples include, but are not promotional items. Provide a photo that uses messaging across a variety of limited to, single parents, minority of the item. Limit one novelty item platforms such as social, viral video, males, LGBTQ students, students per entry. mobile, email, etc. Entries should with disabilities and international 41. show the plan and examples of its students. Images should reflect Wild Card: Includes marketing successful execution. target audience. Stock photography pieces that just don’t fit anywhere else. Provide a PDF or photo of 37. is permitted if target audience is not Representative Marketing – represented or underrepresented the item. Diversity and Inclusion: Entries among current students. should showcase internal or exter- nal campaigns that intentionally use MISCELLANEOUS students representative of student 39. Excellence in Writing: Entries population. Entries will be judged on may include blogs, news briefs, inclusive photography and messaging. feature articles, personality profiles, No stock photography. opinion pieces and other pieces published in print or online. The focus is on the quality of writing. Provide a Word document, PDF or URL.

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ENTERYOURFINEST submit your entries here: https://ncmpr.secure-platform.com