Polaris Awards Entry Categories

PRSA Inland Empire offers three major submission categories: Campaigns, Tactics, and Student Projects. Each major category includes multiple subcategories. Entrants are encouraged to review all categories and descriptions carefully to select the most appropriate category or categories for their submission(s).

Campaigns

Campaigns are defined as large-scale, multi-faceted programs or projects that incorporate multiple tactics. All campaign entries must clearly demonstrate the four stages of public relations: Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (RPIE).

Community Relations

Campaigns or programs aimed at winning the cooperation of and improving relations with publics or organizations in communities where the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity.

Crisis Communication

Development and implementation of a communications strategy in response to a crisis.

Innovative Communication

Campaigns or programs that push the envelope of creativity, innovation and/or technology to reach an intended audience.

Internal Relations

Campaigns or programs to improve internal relations through enhanced communications or programs affecting relations with employees or staff.

Marketing

Campaigns or programs designed to introduce, publicize or promote products, services or ideas. Campaigns that successfully create buzz and brand recognition.

Multicultural CommunicationS

Campaigns or programs, of any kind, strategically targeted to a cultural group. Efforts promote inclusivity and/or dismantling discrimination for racial, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation and gender differences.

  Environmental Sustainability Communications

Programs that enhance an organization’s reputation and demonstrate a business approach to initiatives that positively impact the environment.

Public Relations

Ongoing program affecting a company/organization’s overall relations with its internal and external publics.

Tactics

Tactics are defined as focused, stand-alone efforts. All tactical entries must demonstrate the four stages of public relations: Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (RPIE).

Audiovisual

Video

Public service announcements, informational videos and others that focus on educating, informing or persuading the audience for the benefit of the organization/company.

Photography

Photography should be part of an effort to educate, inform or persuade the audience for the benefit of the organization or company.

Podcast/Webcast

Media files distributed using streaming media technology. May be live or recorded.

Branding

Using public relations in the launch of a new or rebranding initiative. The campaign must go beyond simple brand name recognition to show an appreciation and understanding of key message points among target audiences.

Collateral

Annual Report (Print or Electronic)

Publication that reports on annual performance.

Brochure/Flyer

Flyers, pamphlets, tri-folds, or other small publications designed to inform a target audience.

Magazine, Newsletter or Periodical (Print or Electronic)

Publications designed, written and published periodically to provide timely information to target audiences while supporting overall communications objectives. Submit at least three consecutive issues as part of the supporting materials.

Digital

Blog or Vlog

Web-based journals or blogs, that communicate to a target audience. Entry should include rationale for blogging strategy, target audiences and statistics, or other means of quantifiable measurement to support stated objectives. Screen downloads of the blog as well as the site URL must be submitted.

Social Media

Using social and digital media platforms or channels to communicate, influence, share information, or build brand awareness with constituent groups.

Influencer Programs

Tactic that engages an outside source to use their influence, driven by personal experience and relationship with their networks, to increase awareness and drive your brand's message to a targeted audience. Include details of achievements/benchmarks on how the spokesperson met/exceeded campaign goals.

Website Internet

Designed for a particular agency, event or purpose to build awareness with the audience.

Media Relations

News Release

Submit release and clippings that demonstrate earned media attention.

Media/Press Kit or Online Newsroom

Submit all materials provided to media, including news releases, video/photos and fact sheet that demonstrate earned media attention.

Media Event

Activities designed specifically to attract earned media attention for the purposes of outreach, information sharing, public calls-to-action, etc.

Special Event

Events or activities that generate awareness with key audiences (internal or external). Includes product launches, openings, publicity stunts, town halls, celebrations, premieres, anniversaries, kick-offs or other special observances.

Writing

Inclusive of a feature story, speech, editorial, advertorial, op/ed, or technical piece. For published pieces, please provide a scan of the original piece as well as proof of publication. Submissions must be original works by the entrant(s)/author(s), and must not have been generated or created by computer software and/or artificial intelligence.

Student Project

Student Projects are open to undergraduate or graduate students submitting work completed for a public relations course. Entries may be submitted individually or as a team and may include press kits, campaign proposals, or special event proposals.

Student entries are judged on how effectively the project applies the four-step public relations process: Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.