

Early Deadline: May 6, 2022
Extended Deadline: June 17, 2022
2022 Call for Entries Now Open
For over two decades, the Platinum Awards have been hailed as the most coveted and competitive award in the communications space. The winners of this world-renowned recognition represent the best of the best—those that have reached the pinnacle of both innovation and industry knowledge. The individuals, teams and campaigns honored as preeminent forces in PR and communications not only earn the sought-after Platinum Awards trophy but also a place in public relations history.
An individual who has successfully fielded questions from the press, participating in interviews and press conferences on behalf of a company
Led overall communications efforts during an organizational crisis; proven ability to protect an organization's reputation and stay on message during a crisis.
Initiated and drove successful, innovative marketing strategies that resulted in measurable growth for an organization. This growth may be financial for a for-profit organization or may be measured in terms of membership and fundraising for a nonprofit organization.
A specialist who has established a measurement practice at an agency or corporation that refines PR efforts and ties them to bottom-line goals, or a leader who has advanced and demystified the practice of PR measurement through advocacy, blogging and public speaking.
Surpassed target goals of media impressions and awareness of a brand, product, service or organization. Demonstrated strong relationships with journalists and bloggers through all channels, including social networks, or succeeded at repositioning a brand through media outreach.
Established herself or himself quickly as a self-starting member and idea generator for a communications team and exhibited strong writing skills, professional demeanor, smart use of digital tactics. Testimonials from supervisors are necessary for consideration.
Helped lead PR agency to growth in client base and/or revenue; expanded scope of agency's offerings; spearheaded winning campaign(s) on behalf of a client.
Demonstrated success at repositioning an organization or brand; led programs that resulted in significant revenue increases; produced unique PR campaigns that led to increased budgets for PR activity within a company; successfully built external programs and partnerships.
Oversaw communications efforts that led to increased donations or membership, or secured major media coverage that led to increase in awareness of goals of nonprofit organization or association.
Outstanding student who has demonstrated leadership, talent and passion for the public relations and communications area of concentration.
Led a PR team that demonstrated consistent success over the past year; established herself/himself as a mentor and expanded skill sets of teammates.
Specialist in an area of PR who has established himself/herself as a highly sought-after trainer or teacher. Comments/reviews by peers or students about the value of the training program is a plus.
Nominees will be judged on their innovations, client growth and retention, and culture.
Saluting outstanding PR agency that has demonstrated client growth, retention and financial success in the past year. Judges will also look at the creativity of the programs and campaigns and the employee and agency/client culture. Open to U.S.- and Canada-based firms.
Nominees will be judged on client growth and retention, innovation and agency/client culture. Open to any firm based in the U.S. or Canada.
As with other agency categories, nominees will be judged on their innovations, client growth and retention, and culture.
The marketing team that used its resources most efficiently to drive business growth for an organization
The communications team that sparked the most creative campaigns and saw the biggest measurable results for internal and/or external stakeholders
Campaigns that focus on one big story, one goal, one kind of impact, or one clear call to action.
Includes programs or events that take place for a day, week or a year long anniversary (not including planning or preparation), or activities (commemorations, observances, celebrations, etc.).
Recognizing a highly effective campaign in which a corporate brand is enthusiastically received by its target audiences, where the essence of the product or purpose of the company is effectively conveyed via the brand campaign. This category also recognizes a company’s efforts to effectively re-invent a brand, applying the same principles of an outstanding in which the brand becomes highly recognized and well received.
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and sales for an ecommerce business
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results of an educational offering or an edtech service
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results in the entertainment sector
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results in the finance and fintech sector
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results for a healthcare company or offering
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results outside of the categories mentioned above.
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results in the sports arena
A PR campaign that successfully drove brand awareness and measurable results in the travel, hospitality and tourism sectors
This category comprises those campaigns whose primary focus is promoting a social cause, but which may also include promotion of your product and/or services and the advancement of your reputation as a corporate citizen.
Community engagement campaigns are a cornerstone of a strong public relations strategy. These campaigns should show creation of awareness and interest of community members by communication programs.
Those campaigns that target the communities in which your organization works. A broad range of campaigns fit into this category: anything from persuading a community to accept a new recycling system to promoting a holiday drive that benefits those members of the community who are in need.
Campaigns that use marketing focused on creating, publishing, and distributing content for a targeted audience.
Communications surrounding any crisis, from product recalls to executive malfeasance to terrorist attacks are eligible in this category.
In this category you should demonstrate an event that align, motivate, unify, celebrate your employees.
This category recognizes outstanding communications to your most important stakeholders. Any PR campaign actively targeting the workforce is eligible.
These entries should include PR conducted at an industry event (a marketing communications effort conducted at an industry trade show, for example) or through an event or series of events conceived and implemented by your organization (for instance, a multi-city tour promoting a product or awareness of an issue).
Any publication produced for stakeholders outside your organization is eligible for entry in this category. Please include five copies of the publication, a synopsis and pertinent information from our standard campaign entry form.
These campaigns are those that are international in scope and require special efforts to manage the target audiences' broad geographic and cultural diversity.
These campaigns deal with types of public relations on organization interaction with the government, with governmental regulators, and the legislative and regulatory arms of government.
These campaigns should consist of the joint action and well-planned series of efforts, tactics, actions, strategies and communication products.
Entrants in this category should be publications targeted at your internal employee stakeholders. Hard copy and electronic publications are eligible; please include hard copies of the publication with your entry. Also include pertinent information from our standard campaign entry form.
Specific campaigns that revolve around how a company communicates with investors, shareholders, government authorities and the financial community.
Campaigns in this category combine public relations and communications with traditional marketing tactics for either b-to-b or b-to-c promotions.
Those events, from press conferences to media tours, which are built around in-person interaction between your company and the press. Entries should exhibit creativity in planning and implementing the event, drawing the media to it and engaging them at the event.
This category recognizes an overall campaign whose primary objective was to sway the media. These campaigns may include individual components eligible in other categories (like Media Event), but are representative of a complete campaign using a variety of tactics to reach the press.
This category recognizes an overall campaign whose primary objective was to sway the media. These campaigns may include individual components eligible in other categories (like Media Event), but are representative of a complete campaign using a variety of tactics to reach the press.
This category recognizes an overall campaign whose primary objective was to sway the media. These campaigns may include individual components eligible in other categories (like Media Event), but are representative of a complete campaign using a variety of tactics to reach the press.
This category includes campaigns designed to recognize and serve the distinct needs of multicultural audiences. Campaigns targeted at specific racial or ethnic groups, gay and lesbian audiences, or any group whose needs differentiate it from a mainstream consumer target, are eligible in this category.
Recognizing outstanding examples of achieving success with limited funds/budget, whether it's for a single campaign or ongoing PR/public affairs. While "shoestring" is subjective, the winners in this category are those who have done more with less, and have been creative with the limited PR dollars they have.
Demonstrates ease of use for members of the media and bloggers; frequent updates; integration of social media channels and organization’s own blogs; easily visible contact links for media to request interviews and more information.
This category honors the most innovative, out of the box PR campaign or paradigm-shifting communications idea.
Entries in this category should focus on the PR efforts surrounding the launch of a new product or service in the business-to-business arena.
Entries in this category should focus on the PR efforts surrounding the launch of a new product or service to the consumer
This category encompasses a wide range of campaigns influencing or educating the public about social, economic, governmental and other issues.
This category recognizes a company’s efforts to effectively re-invent a brand, applying the same principles of an outstanding in which the brand becomes highly recognized and well received by its target audiences.
This category should focus on creating a successful campaign where your PR and marketing team used social media monitoring and measurement.
These entries should exhibit creativity in planning and implementing the event, drawing participants to it and engaging with them during the online event.
Best use of a video or image campaign to get your message across. We'll consider the customization and depth of an effort and ROI.
Beginning with its founding as the first public relations newsletter (1944), PRNEWS has consistently set the standard for excellence across all areas of PR, communications, and marketing—making programs like the Platinum Awards all the more illustrious. Joining the celebrated winners and acclaimed talents from years past means being lionized in the legacy of PR. A win here means you have not only set a remarkable standard but you set the bar day in and day out — and you’ve set it quite high.
If you’re still not convinced, here are 3 reasons you should submit a nomination for PRNEWS’ Platinum Awards.
Early Deadline: May 6, 2022
Extended Deadline: June 17, 2022
Initial Entry: $425
Additional Entries: $275
Late Fee: $199
The price of each primary entry is $425. If you are submitting a secondary entry of the same campaign into any additional categories, the prices will be $275 per additional category. A late fee of $199 will be applied to entries submitted between May 6 and June 17. Payment in full must accompany the entry. Entry fees are not refundable.
*All entries must be submitted by June 17, 2022. Winners will be announced in August 2022.
The Platinum PR Awards are open to all agency, corporation, nonprofit/association, and government organizations. National and international entries are accepted.
All campaigns entered will be required to submit a synopsis describing campaign content including all of the following areas:
What was the goal of the campaign?
What metrics set the stage for the work your campaign sought out to do?
What was the thinking and the strategic approach behind your work?
What actions did your campaign take or how was your campaign implemented?
How was success measured for this campaign? What metrics show that this campaign performed well and met its goals?
Supporting Materials can include anything that best represents the success of your work. Examples include:
Nominees for individual awards will be required to submit the following:
Outline the reason why the nominee or team should be named a finalist.
Please provide some details of the nominee's role in the organization. Please include who the nominee reports to.
How was success measured for this campaign? What metrics show that this campaign performed well and met its goals?
Supporting Materials can include anything that best represents the success of your work. Examples include:
Nominees for team awards will be required to submit the following:
What are some of the landmark campaigns and accounts you’ve worked on?
Notable achievements from January of 2020 to July of 2021
What are your marketable distinction and innovations compared to other firms?
Clearly state account wins & losses from January 2020 to July 2021.
Clearly state relevant industry partnerships, pro-bono work and other community relations.
Include testimonials from at least two clients.
Please explain how your agency has raised the bar on creativity, strategy and execution for the organization, or how it person has gone above and beyond expectations.
Supporting Materials can include anything that best represents the success of your work. Examples include:
*NOTE: Each section of the application has a 300 word limit
The Platinum Awards are open to all individuals and teams worldwide at for-profit and non-profit organizations including corporations, PR agencies, public affairs and IR agencies, publicity firms, associations, government, and NGO teams, and sole practitioners.
To be eligible, the campaign or initiative must have taken place (either in part or in full) between January 2021 and May 2022. Some of the work must have occurred during this time, but it’s not necessary for it to be completed during the eligibility period.
We evaluate your entry based on creativity, innovation, sound planning implementation, results as well as proven impact on the communities targeted. Judges will evaluate campaigns on the innovativeness of execution and idea as well as the impressiveness of the results. For Teams, Individuals and Agencies, judges will be looking for an X-factor and the noteworthiness of their accomplishments and background.
Emphasize the goals of your campaign, as well as your campaign’s achievements in your synopsis. Provide as many concrete and specific examples of success as possible, and explain clearly and succinctly your research, planning, implementation and measurement of the campaign. For people and team categories use metrics to specifically outline achievements and explain the impact of the person or teams or overall work.