Publications and Digital Media Excellence

Entries are accepted for printed or online advertisements that have appeared in newspapers, magazines, trade journals, billboards or other print or online media that are not published by the school or district.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Published once a year, annual reports summarize district accomplishments and meet accountability requirements set by the state.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

A set of identification items for consideration in this category may include a logo, graphic elements incorporated into brochures, letterhead, apparel or other materials, a marketing statement, etc., that brands a district, school, agency or organization. Entry must include three or more related pieces to qualify.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Publications containing a schedule of dates for school year/school activities plus general information about the school or system.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

External or internal e-newsletters that are published periodically. Two different issues of the e-newsletter must be submitted to qualify as one entry.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Publications developed to communicate and create understanding about how schools are funded, taxes, school and district uses of revenue, etc. Single or series of publications accepted.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Annual publications for students, teachers or parents with general information about the organization, its policies and protocols.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Website redesign projects and special purpose or short-term project websites. Intranet entries must include passwords or other log-in information so judges can access your site. Provide a URL and limit one website per entry.

Entries will be judged by design, functionality, and content.

News and feature articles that are issued periodically. Submit one issue per entry.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Brochures, flyers, newsletters, promotional packages, ads, etc., designed to market a program, school or district to potential families, students, staff or business partners. Digital media is also accepted in this category (videos, CD/DVDs, movie/TV/radio ads, mobile apps, etc.).

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

External or internal printed newsletters or newspapers that are published periodically. Two different issues of a newsletter or newspaper must be submitted to qualify as one entry.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

Entries can be a single photograph or a group of photographs that have been published in print or digitally.  Images cannot be over 10MB in size.

Entries will be judged on overall quality, artistic presentation and story-telling effectiveness.

Podcasts and other audio productions, such as a special purpose podcast or public service announcement. Limit each entry to a single episode/program and provide a URL.

Entries will be judged on engagement effectiveness, storytelling effectiveness, and production quality.

Social media communication campaign or collection of posts that effectively use social media for awareness, fundraising, enrollment drives, or other strategic objectives. Posts can include content such as copy, graphics and video made specifically for social media platforms. Upload a one-page explanation that includes the following: overview/purpose of the campaign/posts; links to the social media content; relevant analytics that demonstrate the level of engagement with the social media content; and description of the outcomes achieved.

Entries will be judged on content, engagement, and evidence of effective planning process.

One-time external or internal booklets, brochures, magazines, posters or other materials developed for a unique event, program, issue or another purpose.

Entries will be judged on graphic design/visual components, overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

This category is for standalone video productions and television programs. Video productions may be one-time external or internal videos developed for a unique event, program, issue or other purpose. Television programs should be original, locally-developed and produced as an individual program or programming series that educates, inspires or informs the audience through educational access broadcasting. This does not include news stories broadcast on local television network affiliates.

Entries will be judged on visuals, overall writing quality, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.

One article from a newsletter, newspaper op-ed piece, editorial or speech. Length of 500 to 5,000 words. Submit only the relevant article, not an entire publication.

Entries will be judged on overall writing quality, content, message effectiveness, and evidence of effective planning process.