Gold Quill Awards: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resubmit an entry?
Yes, as long as the following two conditions apply:
- Your entry must not have won an award in the previous year’s program.
- Work on the project and/or measurement must extend into the current year. For example, an entry could be resubmitted to the 2012 Gold Quill Awards if it was not a winner in last year’s program and the work and/or measurement extended into 2011.
Top
Can I wait and submit this year’s work in next year’s competition?
The 2013 Gold Quill Awards program will accept work produced prior to 2012 as long as the work and/or measurement extended into 2012.
Top
Can I submit the same entry more than once in the same year?
You may submit the same entry in as many different categories as apply to that entry. You must tailor your work plan to fit each category and pay a separate entry fee for each category you enter. However, you may use a single entry form to submit your entry to multiple categories.
Top
Can I submit several different projects for entry?
You may submit as many different entries as you wish. If you are entering several different projects, submit a separate entry form, work plan and work sample for each entry. Separate fees apply for each entry.
Top
If my project was created by a team, which name do I use as the entrant’s name? How do I ensure that other members of the team receive credit for working on the project?
The entrant’s name should be the primary contact person who is principally responsible for the development, management and execution of the entry, and is submitting the project on behalf of the team. This person should fill in and submit the entry form. The entrant’s name must match the name on the work plan. The number of people who worked on the project team will not affect the judging process. If your entry wins an award, the contact person listed will then be asked whether any other project team members should be formally recognized for the award. The entrant must be the lead person on the project.
IABC membership belongs to an individual, not an organization. The primary contact person and lead on the project entering the awards must be a member of IABC to receive the member price. You cannot submit an entry under another person’s membership number. This may result in disqualification and your entry fee will not be refunded.
Top
If a project was created by an agency and client, who enters it?
Either one can enter, as long as the entrant includes a letter of consent acknowledging the different roles in the project, and a company’s written permission to disclose corporate information as part of the entry requirements. Entries that do not include this letter of permission (if applicable) will be disqualified. If the material is proprietary, be sure to clearly indicate this on your entry and entry form.
Top
How do I know if my entry has been received?
If you want to ensure confirmation of receipt, send your entries and fees using a traceable form of delivery.
Top
How are entries judged and types of awards determined?
Gold Quill Awards coordinators recruit a global network of first-tier judges, who evaluate all entries. At the first-tier level, two judges use standardized criteria to evaluate each entry. Entries must score at least 5.25 out of 7 possible points to be named finalists.
Finalists in each category are then re-evaluated by a second tier of Blue Ribbon Panel judges, which is composed of IABC Fellows, Accredited Business Communicators, past Gold Quill Award winners and other senior leaders in the communication profession. This Blue Ribbon Panel selects the winners. Entries that receive a score of 5.75 and above from the Blue Ribbon Panel receive an Award of Excellence. Those that score between 5.25 and 5.74 receive an Award of Merit. There is no limit to the number of awards that can be presented in each category. All judges’ decisions are final.
View the judges’ evaluation forms.
Top
How are entries scored?
Winning entries must demonstrate that they met clearly stated objectives, show originality and demonstrate results based on measured outcomes. Judges consider how well a program was conceived and executed, how appropriate the chosen strategy and objectives were for the desired results, and how the outcomes are measured and achieved. View scoring information based on divisions.
Top
Do entrants receive feedback?
For each entry submitted, entrants receive a one-page evaluation form with scores and brief comments from judges. All evaluation forms will be sent to entrants by mid April 2012.
Top
How are winners notified and recognized?
Winners will be notified at the end of March 2012 via e-mail. (Finalists who do not receive awards and disqualified entrants will be notified by April 2012.) Award-winning entries will be recognized at the IABC World Conference in Chicago, 24-27 June 2012. Winners will also be presented with their award at a special black-tie-optional event during the conference on 25 June 2012. In addition, they will be featured in the July-August issue of Communication World, IABC’s bimonthly magazine, and on the IABC web site.
Top
What happens to the entries once the competition is over?
Entries will not be returned, so please do not send irreplaceable material. IABC is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. If your entry is proprietary, we will be happy to shred the materials. Please let us know by clearly stating this on the cover of your entry. Due to the volume of materials received, IABC cannot confirm receipt of entries.
Top
Do judges really pay attention to details such as the permitted font size and the length of the work plan?
Yes. If you get these details wrong, you have no chance of winning.
Top
How do I keep my work plan to the required number of pages?
Edit your plan to be clear and concise. Bullets, tables and lists, rather than full paragraphs, can help save space. Ask yourself:
- Does this outline show that the project was well managed?
- Does it cover all of the important points? Is it compelling?
- Could your work plan be used to show others what works?
Top
I’m submitting a large campaign. How can I make sure that my entry fits the size limit?
A lot of information fits in a single one-inch-ring-diameter (2.55-centimeter) binder, which is the maximum size allowed. Organize and summarize your material. If you’re tight on space, remember that you do not need to submit an entire slide show or every news clipping. Provide a summary of research results, not all the feedback you received. Keep in mind that the work sample should be representative of your work. You are not required to document every aspect of the entire project.
Top
What type of projects fall under the social media category?
A project qualifies for the social media category if the channel used is a conversation-enabled publishing platform that allows individuals and groups to collaborate and share knowledge and experiences online.
Top
What should I do if my work needs to be confidential?
We ask entrants that are submitting confidential entries to write "confidential" on the outside of the binder as well as the inside on any appropriate samples. Category coordinators are told to communicate to all judges that all entries and their specific contents are deemed confidential. Entry material cannot be copied. The results of judging are not to be discussed outside the judging team or in any way disclosed. Also, judges are told they should not evaluate an entry of a close colleague or friend, from an employee, client or supplier of their own organization or that otherwise compromises their ability to be impartial. Additionally, after judging is over, coordinators are asked to shred any materials that may have been deemed confidential.
Top
|
