Entry Deadline:

This program is now closed.

Learn more about current programs here.

There have been many powerful stories to tell this past year—we want to hear about yours.

PR Daily’s Content Marketing Awards celebrates the best work from organizations, agencies and independent consultants. We’re looking for creative content that told stories strategically. We want to know how you crafted engaging narratives that captivated audiences—in any medium.

This awards program will spotlight the content creators in marketing and communications who write, edit, film, curate, broadcast, publish or just plain create superb content to promote their brand, organization or client.

Tell us about content you created to meet a larger marketing goal, such as building brand awareness or attracting and retaining the industry’s best talent. You can also submit the content and campaigns themselves. We invite you to enter as many categories as you’d like in this year’s competition. Pro tip: You’ll save on multiple entries of the same project or campaign.

What makes a winner? Learn more about last year’s winners to see how your work measures up.

CATEGORIES

GRAND PRIZE

 Campaign of the Year

Your overarching plan came to fruition, and it was wildly successful. Share how you created a killer campaign that delivered on multiple channels in diverse media and drove engagement, leads and sales for your client or organization. What was your strategy? Which channels were best for your campaign? What tactics worked for you? Show us how you executed an enviable content marketing campaign.

 Strategy of the Year

Content marketing is essential to the success of your entire marketing plan. Tell us about your overarching strategy and how you executed it across multiple channels. We want to see how your content told your brand’s story and sold readers on it and your products. Tell us about your content marketing strategy, how you made use of the above categories and what the outcome was.

 Marketing Agency of the Year

We’re looking for agencies who produce amazing content and consistently meet or exceed expectation for their client(s). Tell us what makes your agency the go-to place for organizations and companies hoping to achieve amazing results through their content. What makes you the content marketing agency of the year.

 PR Firm of the Year

CONTENT MARKETING ASSETS

 Annual Report

Your annual report was important to your stakeholders; tell us why. What made this so compelling to your audience? What particular aspects made it especially engaging? Why was your annual report must-read content for interested readers?

 Brand Journalism/Online Newsroom

We’re looking for organizations with talented storytellers who published engaging narratives that earned incredible engagement. Your stories set you apart from the pack, and we want to see how you delivered captivating content to the masses. Include any samples, links or other materials that showcase your work.

 Branded Blog

Your blog is an information hub for industry experts, customers and potential employees. Tell us how you created blog posts that were fun and informative while providing an inside look at your organization. Did your leaders—or maybe your interns—create content that told a compelling story about their connection to the organization? Did you supplement written content with video and visual elements? Tell us about your strategy and how it affected traffic and other metrics.

 Branded Content Site

 Branded Content Series (Print or Digital) – B2B

 Branded Content Series (Print or Digital) – Consumer

 Branded Podcast

 Community – Most Engaged

 Digital Publication

 Email Newsletter

 Event (Live or Virtual)

 Individual Blog Post

This single blog post earned attention and delivered results. Tell us what the blog post was about, why it resonated with audiences and how it led to success for your organization.

 Infographics

Your team used an infographic to share insights about your industry. What surveys or studies did you conduct to find the information? How did you pull it together in a creative and informative manner? How did you promote it to ensure it was widely shared? Tell us your strategy, how it got you attention and, of course, show us the infographic.

 Interactive Content

Have you created interactive content that engaged audiences and increased leads and sales? Share the quizzes, surveys, polls and calls for audience input that got people clicking, commenting and giving their feedback. Be sure to share the results and the benefits.

 Interview or Profile

You sat down (virtually or in person) with someone your audiences wanted to hear from, and the resulting interview or profile did not disappoint. Who was the interviewee and what made this conversation uniquely important to your audience?

 Microsite

Diving into the details made all the difference for your digital destination. Show us your elegantly designed microsites and share how they stood out. Was it easily navigable? What purpose did it serve? We want it all. Share the details and results of your outstanding microsite.

 Multiplatform/Omnichannel Content

Sometimes, one platform just isn’t enough. That’s why you delivered compelling stories and visuals across multiple media. Why was it essential to share your content on numerous channels? Tell us the benefits of being visible in many different places. Don’t skimp on the details.

 Original Use of Social Media

 Photography

Stunning photography can help you connect with your audiences on an emotional level. How did you use photography to portray your campaign, project or organizational message? What was your goal? How did photography affect your results?

 Photography Series

Your series of photos told a story that just couldn’t be conveyed in one image. What story were you telling? What was the purpose of your series? Tell us how your photography series helped your deliver your powerful story or stories to your audience.

 Print Publication

You can’t get away with the generic ribbon-cutting ceremony cover shot anymore. Instead you took inspiration from the best magazines on newsstands for your print publication. Thinking like a journalist and publisher allowed you to feature the best articles and most compelling images in your publication. Tell us why your brand’s print publication is now the Vogue of your industry.

 Sponsored/Branded Content

You partnered with a publication to get your brand out there. How did you choose which print or digital publication to contribute to? Share your method for creating seamless content that didn’t seem like an ad. Why was this piece successful?

 Use of Facebook

We want to know how you engage audiences on Facebook. Share how you created content that drew visitors in and kept them coming back. What visuals or written content earned attention? We want to hear the goals and results.

 Use of Instagram

The visual platform is a great way to capture the attention of distracted audiences, but how exactly did you achieve success on Instagram? We want to see the scroll-stopping content that got viewers to pause and take a second look. What were the goals? What strategy spelled success for your organization?

 Use of LinkedIn

Tell us how you used the professional networking site to deliver your beneficial content. How did your organization stand out and engage audiences? Share the goals, strategy and results.

 Use of TikTok

The short-form video platform is wonderful for captivating visually driven audiences. We want to hear how you used this fast-growing platform to engage audiences and deliver your message.

 Use of Twitter

Your content was short and sweet, and that’s what audiences wanted. How did you captivate reader? Were highly engaging visuals part of your content mix? Share all the details.

 Use of YouTube

 User-Generated Content

Letting your consumers take the helm of your content can be a risk, but you had great success. How did you select your brand’s biggest champions to share their experience with your product or service? Did you create a design competition on social media? Maybe a patient created a blog series about his or her recovery journey at your hospital, or you invited your biggest fans to submit videos about their favorite products. We want to know how you used your customers’ passion for your brand to tell a story.

 Video

Creating a video that stands out in today’s saturated social sphere is no easy task. What did you hope to accomplish with your video? How did it come together and result in views? Tell us how you used this fast-growing communications medium to share your message.

 Video Series

You told a powerful story using multiple videos, and we want to hear how. Tell us about the subject and goal of the series. How did these videos stand out in a highly visual world? Don’t forget to share the results.

 Virtual/Augmented Reality Content

Were audiences consumed by your immersive experience? What were the benefits of your simulation? Why was this the best way to promote your product or service? Dish out the details about the strategy, execution and overall results.

 White Paper/Special Report

Tell us about the research you did to produce an advanced guide for your audience. Why is your organization the authority on this topic, and your product or service the solution? Tell us why an in-depth piece of long-form content was the best way to pitch your product to a new audience. How did people respond? How were you able to use a white paper to generate new business leads, media coverage or partnerships?

CONTENT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

 B2B Campaign

Share how you positioned your product or service as a beneficial source for businesses in your industry. How did you make sure you were getting your product or service in front of the right businesses and prove its benefits? Share any supporting documents that help tell your story and show the success of your campaign.

 Consumer Products Campaign

Millions of products are available to consumers, and it’s easier than ever to find and purchase them. How did you make your organization’s or client’s products stand out? Share the details of your success and, of course, any metrics that back that up.

 Covid-19 Campaign

Tell us about your pandemic-related content that told powerful stories, delivered essential information and more. How did you keep audiences engaged? What were the goals of your content? Tell us about the important content you delivered during the pandemic.

 Crisis Communications

The content you deliver amid a crisis can get out important messages, even if it’s something you didn’t see coming. Did you navigate crises with the power of your content? We want to hear about your crisis response.

 DE&I Communications

 Distribution Strategy

 Education Campaign

Not everyone is excited about education, but you delivered a campaign that conveyed important messages in a way that got attention. Share how you drove outstanding engagement on behalf of schools, school districts, educational institutions, associations and more.

 Employee Communications Initiatives

 Financial Services Campaign

Let’s face it, financial services aren’t really a “sexy” topic, but they’re essential—and you spiced them up. Tell us how you communicated on behalf of these organizations and set them apart from competitors.

 Food and Beverage Campaign

Show us how you served up a five-star campaign that showcased your food and beverage company or product. What made consumers eat up your content? We want to hear how you stood out.

 Health and Wellness Campaign

You flexed your creative muscle to deliver a successful dose of health—and we want to hear how you accomplished this. There are plenty of powerful stories about health care organizations, but communicating on behalf of these organizations can be tricky. Share how you navigated and overcame the unique challenges you face in your industry. Don’t forget to include samples and data.

 Influencer Content Marketing

Your audience wants to hear from trusted sources. How did you tap into the minds of customers to find out who influences their purchasing behavior? How did you turn a viral video star, blogger or social media maven into an ambassador for your brand? How did you use someone else’s digital influence to expose your product or service to an entirely new market? We want to know how you used influencers to attract the masses.

 Media and Entertainment Campaign

How did you get your organization or client into the spotlight? What got the cameras flashing? Tell us about your successful media and entertainment campaigns. Don’t forget to share the juicy details and metrics.

 Media Relations Campaign

 Newsjacking or Trend-Related Content Marketing

There are times when pop culture moments or news stories align perfectly with your brand messaging. How did you capitalize on a fleeting moment in public consciousness that felt truly connected to your brand? We want to hear about your strategy for capturing an audience quickly by finding a real foothold in the conversation surrounding a piece of news or trending topic.

 Product Launch

 Social Justice Campaign

 Sustainability/ESG

 Technology Campaign

Tell us how your tech-related brand or organization generated incredible buzz for its product or service. Did you promote a new product or service that customers loved? Are you a well-known company that attracted new audiences? We want to hear about it. Share the details about how you reached audiences. Be sure to include your strategy, tactics and data.

 Thought Leadership Campaign

We want to hear how you spotlighted your organization or its executives as an industry leader. What set them apart as some of the brightest minds in the industry? What problems did you aim to solve? How did you prove this? We want to see your strategy and the results.

 Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Campaign

You sold an experience to potential guests, and we want to hear about it. Share the campaigns that compelled travelers to book with you or your client. We want to hear the overall goals, how you achieved them and any feedback you received as a result.

 Other

Did we miss something? Add your campaign here.

CONTENT MARKETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

 Brand Awareness

Building up your brand calls for creating content that appeals to both your current audience and the one you hope to acquire. We want to see how you increased awareness about the products or services your brand or client offers. Share your strategy and tell us how you measured success.

 Customer Engagement

Customer comments can make or break your reputation, but getting your audience to talk and truly engage can be difficult. What obstacles stood in the way of creating opportunities for true customer engagement? What content did you create to get your audience talking? Did you spark discussions on your blog or social media posts? Did you develop a submission form for customer comments? Did you request video testimonials or written reviews to learn more about product experiences? Tell us.

 Employee Engagement

 Executive Communications

 Experiential Marketing

 Lead Generation

 Reputation Management

Keeping your corporate reputation in good standing is important. What piece of content put your organization’s dedication to transparency on display? How have you used content marketing to recover from a crisis or maintain your pristine reputation? How did you change people’s minds about your brand or inspire them to remain loyal?

 Talent Recruitment or Retention

You’re interested in recruiting the newest and freshest talent for your team. How did content marketing help you find the perfect candidates for your organization? Maybe you created videos that gave a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations at your offices. Did articles and interviews featuring your colleagues (and spotlighting their current projects) show potential employees the kind of work they could do within your organization? Share how you used content marketing to broaden your talent pool.

PEOPLE AND TEAMS

 Agency/Client Collaboration

 Content Marketers of the Year

You were instrumental in the overall success of your marketing campaign. Your content caught eyeballs, drove engagement and played a pivotal role in delivering your organization’s message. How did you help tell your organization’s story? What goals did your content achieve? We want to hear all about your creations. Share your stories, visuals, social media posts—darn it, any content you created—that captivated audiences.

 In-House Branded Studio

 Team of the Year

Enter your team as the Team of the Year. Share the tactics, strategy and content that set your team apart as the best in your industry. Be sure to include samples of your work and any relevant metrics.

HOW TO ENTER

Take a moment to complete the entry form:

  • On the online entry form, be sure to include a thorough synopsis explaining the purpose and scope of your project. Tell us in 300-1,000 words why your work is deserving of recognition. When applicable, include the following sub-headings:
    • Goals
    • Strategy and tactics
    • Execution
    • Evaluation: success, results or ROI
  • Go here to complete the online entry form.

You will be able to upload additional documents to your submission and/or anything else you feel will give the judges a better sense of your work. Proprietary or internal information can also be attached and will not be shared with the public.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

These awards are open to in-house, agency and independent communication practitioners in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Vendors may also submit their work or their client’s work. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your clients.

Companies from around the world are welcome to enter as long as the entry is submitted in English.

Contact Brendan Gannon to find the perfect category for your campaign or project. You can call 312-960-4407 or email brendang@ragan.com.

This year’s program is open to any work executed between June 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022, inclusive.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $425 per entry into standard categories. The entry fee into the Grand Prize categories is $475 per entry.

A late fee of $199 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, June 3, 2022.

Do you have a campaign, project, person or team you'd like to enter into multiple categories? Pay the original entry fee, and then only $199 for each additional category!

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you apply?
Our awards program helps you measure the success of your work and prove the value of your contributions to your organization or clients. You can set yourself apart in the industry as an expert, which will open doors throughout your career. As a winner, you’ll earn publicity across our websites and social media audiences, a custom write-up about your success, an elegant trophy and more. Ragan will also recognize all finalists—and announce category winners—at a special awards luncheon in November.
Who can enter?
Global organizations are welcomed—this awards program recognizes organizations and teams, worldwide, as long as the entry is submitted in English.  These awards are open to in-house, agency and independent communication practitioners in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your client.
What does it take to be a winner?
We are looking for top-quality campaigns, projects, content, people and teams that show clear, bold and creative ideas that benefit their business or client. Please provide metrics and results that back up your claims, and share creative collateral such as photos, videos, URLs, documents or testimonials of your work. Please look at our past award winners to see what gets recognized and rewarded. We encourage you to submit the same work into multiple categories, if you feel they are relevant. Doing so increases your chances of winning.
What are the entry requirements?
Tell us in 300-1,000 words about your work in the previous 12 months. See the How To Enter section for further information. You may also include supporting materials you believe will help our judges evaluate your entry.
Why are some deadlines extended?
We extend deadlines based on applicant needs and upcoming promotional opportunities.
When will I find out results?
We try to announce a list of finalists eight weeks after the close of the program. Winners will then be announced at a special Awards Luncheon in November. Each announcement will be made with a headline on our website, in our daily email newsletter and on our social media platforms. Emails notify entrants of these announcements. As deadlines are extended, so are expected announcement dates.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please call Brendan Gannon at 312-960-4407 or email brendang@ragan.com.

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Hannah Lavelle at 312-960-4628 or email hannahl@ragan.com.