It
’s awards season. Along with film, television and music, we are celebrating the very best of communications and public relations in Canada with the
CPRS Awards of Excellence.
Following on the heels of last year
’s reinvigorated Awards program, which had a record number of Award submissions, this year
’s Awards offer new categories and an option to submit some projects twice in the same category if they relate to COVID-19.
The Awards program was established in 1962. Created to salute outstanding public relations and communications campaigns, programs and tactics, and to recognize the dedication and contributions of PR professionals, the Awards are a way for CPRS members and those working in the field to shine.
The 2020 Awards program was updated to include nine new and seven improved categories for a total of 24 Awards. A new user-friendly platform, called Open Water, was introduced to receive submissions and coordinate judging.
That innovation continues into 2021, with 30 Award categories, including seven new ones, and the option to submit a project twice in a third of the categories, if it relates to COVID-19. The Awards are divided into three sub-categories:
- Communications Programs: Media relations, employee / internal communications, corporate social responsibility, numerous Campaigns of the Year, new product or service launch, and many more. There are new categories for student communications, external communications, best “pivot” award, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Communications Projects: Best publications, events projects, multimedia projects, and research.
- Organizational Excellence: In House Team and Agency of the Year. The large agency section continues, with small and medium sections being added.
Full details about the Awards of Excellence, including entry guidelines, an FAQ, fees, and previous winners can be found at
cprs.ca/awards. Submissions for the 2021 Awards of Excellence are being accepted until
April 16.
In other Awards news, I extend thanks to Béatrice Guay, ARP, FSCRP LM, MPA, the outgoing Presiding Officer for the Major Awards / Awards of Excellence Committee. I am also pleased to welcome Lucie-Anne Fabien CMMI, ARP, FSCRP as the new Presiding Officer.
We are fortunate to have people like Béatrice, Lucie-Anne, our CPRS National Board liaison, Lisa Covens, as well as other volunteers and staff supporting CPRS efforts like this one!
So, what are you waiting for? Apply today. And the winner is … you, your organization, and CPRS members, who get to celebrate the excellence in communications and public relations being demonstrated right here in Canada.
Wayne Knorr, APR
CPRS National President
By the way, don’t forget, we are joining with our colleagues from the
Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management to recognize February as Ethics Month. #EthicsMatter