Awards Submit Your Work Gold Medallion

Strategic programs, projects and campaigns submitted for Gold Medallion consideration must be entered in one of six categories, listed below. In each category, judges may select one winner, more than one winner or no winners.

• Bond/Finance Campaign
• Comprehensive, Strategic, Year-Round Communication Program
• Crisis Communication Campaign
• Marketing Communication Campaign
• Public Engagement/Parental Involvement Campaign
• Special Communication Project/Campaign

Programs/projects/campaigns must have been underway or completed between March 2024 and the contest deadline of March 7, 2025. For Bond/Finance Campaign entries, all voting results must be final by the contest deadline to be eligible for an award that calendar year.

Gold Medallion entries must be submitted as a single PDF file in the online awards submission system. The entry is limited to no more than 26 pages.
 

An entry must include:

• Cover page with entry information (page max = 1: Include entrant's name and title, district/organization name, address, phone, email, title of entry, entry category, number of communication staff, size/type of district or organization. Do not exceed one page in length.
• Synopsis of the program/project/campaign (word max = 350): Provides a clear, concise overview of the program/project/campaign. Do not exceed 350 words.
• Summary of the program/project/campaign (page max = 6): Summarize the program/project/campaign by demonstrating how it followed the four-step strategic public relations planning process of research, planning, implementation and evaluation (RPIE). Include hyperlinks to any key support materials (websites, videos, social media, PDFs, etc.). Do not exceed six pages.

An entry may include:

• Additional support material. Other materials demonstrating the campaign's RPIE strategic planning process may be included but may not cause the entry to exceed the 26 page total. Samples, brief synopses or links to support materials are sufficient (e.g., no need to include complete survey results or reports).

Entries typically are organized in the following manner:

• Page 1: Cover page with entry information
• Page 2: Synopsis of program/campaign
• Pages 3-8: Summary of program campaign
• Pages 9-26: Additional support material

Review entries from the most recent Gold Medallion Award winners before preparing your entry.

NSPRA uses as judges a variety of association members and public relations professionals who are experienced, award winning and accredited. Judges' identities are kept confidential. When reviewing entries, they judge each entry:

• Individually based on grounding in strategic communication best practices, concept clarity, good writing, unique attributes and alignment with entry guidelines.
• Compared to other entries within the same category based on level of superiority and ability to serve as a model for other school systems to replicate.

During the review of an individual entry, judges score the entry against the following criteria:

• Research (15% of score): Is there evidence of sound research? Is the reason for the program/project/campaign explained? Was a research plan developed to guide planning? Were a variety of research strategies applied? Were research findings incorporated into planning? Are goals and measurable objectives clearly stated?
• Planning (45% of score) Was the impact of the education, social and cultural environment analyzed? Were innovative and creative solutions proposed for identified issues, problems and needs? Were strategies determined for accomplishing measurable objectives and reaching identified target audiences? Were culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies and tactics included? Were key leaders and stakeholders involved in the planning? Were specific roles and responsibilities for key staff identified? Were key staff provided with relevant professional development/training? Were a variety of communication vehicles identified and selected? Were specific budget and resources identified?
• Implementation (25% of score): Were specific timelines developed and dates met for all plan components? Were strategies, tactics and activities implemented as planned and as appropriate for each target audience? Were key messages used that supported the stated goals and measurable objectives? Was the graphic design and language of support materials and communications clear and visually attractive? Were responses to key messages, tactics and activities monitored in an ongoing manner to allow adjustments as needed?
• Evaluation (15% of score): Were measurement indicators for the overall success of the program/project/campaign clearly stated and demonstrated? Was there evidence of the effectiveness of specific strategies, tactics and activities? Was there identification of potential revisions, additions or changes for future efforts? Were next steps identified and incorporated into future planning?

Entries may be scored higher for unique attributes such as being easily replicable as a best practice, supporting student achievement and clearly demonstrating communication accountability. Entries may be scored lower for missing required elements, for poor writing and for not being organized around the four-step strategic PR planning process.

Gold Medallion Award entries must be submitted ​at www.nspra.org/award-apply.

• Entry: Compile all entry materials into a single PDF document. Multiple support materials will not be accepted. Include specific entry form information, as indicated in the entry requirements, on the cover page of the PDF document.
• Fee: $175 per entry for NSPRA members, $235 per entry for non-members
• Deadline: March 7, 2025

When filling out the entry information, be sure to indicate whether the entry should be automatically entered into the Golden Achievement Award contest (free of charge) if it is not selected for a Gold Medallion Award.

NSPRA staff will notify all Gold Medallion entrants as to the status of their entries via email in April. Winners also will be notified by phone. Entrants may request a summary of judges’ comments by emailing awards@nspra.org no later than July 30. Summaries will be provided in late August/September.

Those who win a Gold Medallion Award will be:

• Invited to participate in the NSPRA President Installation and Gold Medallion Awards Ceremony Luncheon on the final day of the NSPRA National Seminar. Each winning entry qualifies to receive one Gold Medallion, but winners may purchase additional medallions.
• Recognized in a signage display at the Member Center of the NSPRA National Seminar.
• Provided with a 100% authenticated, always up-to-date digital badge that can be added to LinkedIn profiles, email signatures, websites and more.
• Recognized on the NSPRA website and in future member e-newsletters.