MCA Categories

Select the entry format for each category on the entry form.

Digital: The Entry’s original deliverable format to the audience was web-based. Submit URL for entry. Be sure to test your links before submitting them.
Print: The entry’s original deliverable format to the audience was a printed piece. Submit a pdf of the print piece. Entries will be judged completely online.
Mixed: A combination of both print and digital formats that were used to deliver entry to the audience. Submit both pdf or print piece and URL to view the digital component.

Reminder: Holiday and Special Event Entries
If entering a holiday or special event entry, it must be entered in those specific categories only.  For example, if submitting a holiday video it would be entered into the Holiday-digital only category. It can no longer be entered in the Video-external or internal categories.

ADVERTISING (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
An individual print or digital advertisement or ad campaign. Examples include banners/signs, magazine/newspaper ads, and outdoor ads. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of a printed ad, or a pdf containing each ad if a series. If entering a digital piece, include a URL to view the original digital format.

BOOK/MONOGRAPH (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
A complete, originally printed, or digital publication that addresses an issue of relevance to the A/E/C industries or features the work of a firm. The publication must have an unlimited shelf life and be professionally produced for mass distribution. A monograph is a single-authored, one-time publication on a specific, often limited subject. If the original book/monograph was printed and had an e-book version created, then enter under mixed media. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the book/monograph. If submitting a digital book, include a URL to view the original digital format.

BRAND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
A comprehensive, multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended period to promote brand awareness of your firm. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and media—print, digital, or multimedia—and implementation strategies. Submittal Requirements:  A pdf of your marketing plan describing campaign focus and objectives. Submit one copy of any collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media relations were a part of the campaign, please submit a copy of releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. Include photographs of any materials (e.g., trade show display) and include a URL to view original digital format components.

BROCHURE (Digital or Print)
A print or digital publication describing your firm’s general capabilities. A brochure has a limited shelf life, as a firm’s capabilities, staff, and projects change over time. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the printed brochure. If entering a digital brochure, include a URL to view the original digital format.

CORPORATE IDENTITY (Mixed)
Specify the identity type on the entry form:
 

• New Brand: A new cohesive brand applied to your firm’s print and/or digital collateral materials for the purposes of creating a brand-new corporate identity. Firm must have been previously unbranded.
   
• Brand Refresh: A cohesive brand applied to your firm’s print and/or digital collateral materials for the purposes of modernizing its current brand while maintaining its core identity and strategy. The brand must be recognizable from its previous version. Entry should include old brand and the new brand for comparison.
   
• Rebrand: A new brand applied to your firm’s print and/or digital collateral materials for the purpose of overhauling the firm’s previous brand identity and strategy. Entry should include the old brand and the new brand for comparison.

Submittal Requirements: For rebrand and refresh branding entries, submit a before-and-after representative sampling of materials that convey your firm’s corporate identity. For new identity entries, submit a representative sampling of materials that convey your firm’s new corporate identity. Both types of submissions may include logo applications such as banner ads, social media graphics, website graphics, letterhead, business cards, and promotional items. If available, the corporate identity manual or graphics standards should be included as well as URLs to view original digital components.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS (Digital)
Entries should provide details of how a one-time crisis or ongoing critical issue was managed. Examples that can be submitted: crisis management and/or communication plans, campaigns, virtual events, videos, and social media messaging created between January 2021 to January 2023. This category also includes any event or issue that has had (or may have) an extraordinary impact on your firm's way of business and culture. The messaging can be external or internal. The entry must be in digital format. Supporting pdf documents such as a communications plan may be included.

DIRECT-MAIL CAMPAIGN (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
Marketing materials designed to reach a specific target audience through a print or digital campaign. A direct-mail campaign may include form letters, pamphlets, postcards, emails, and announcements. Submittal Requirements: Include all the pieces in a series of mailings. If the campaign was conducted via email, include a URL to view the original digital component.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMUNICATIONS (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
Communication efforts, initiatives, or programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes in-house and PR Agency executed communications such as email campaigns, social media campaigns, HR training, HR communications, recruiting/retention communications, and mentoring programs. The target audience can be external (i.e., industry, clients) or internal within the firm (i.e., employees). Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. If entering digital communications, include a URL to view the original digital format.

HOLIDAY
Please note, if entering a holiday entry, it must be entered in the holiday categories only. We will not accept holiday entries in other categories. For example, if submitting a holiday video, it would be entered into the Holiday-digital only category. It can no longer be entered in the Video-external or internal categories.

• Holiday (Digital) A digital piece produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to e-cards, websites, web apps, and videos. Submittal Requirements: Include a URL to view the original digital components.
•  Holiday (Mixed) A combination of both print and digital work produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to a greeting card, party invitation, client appreciation gift, or calendar. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. Include images of the original packaging if possible and include a URL to view the original digital components.
•  Holiday (Print) A print piece produced for one-time use to promote a generally recognized holiday; examples include but are not limited to a greeting card, party invitation, client appreciation gift, or calendar. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. Include images of the original packaging if possible.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
Any print or digital communications intended for an employee audience, including but not limited to a recognition program, awards program, or communications associated with mergers, acquisitions, or new business line initiatives. Employee newsletters should be entered in the Newsletter–Internal category. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. If entering digital communications, include a URL to view the original digital format.

NEWSLETTER/ PUBLICATION –EXTERNAL (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
An external, client-focused publication designed in newsletter or magazine format and produced via print or digital media. This includes a printed or digital serial publication or periodical in the editorial format that presents one or more points of view. A magazine may enter this category if it has a client or external audience.
Submittal Requirements:  A pdf of each of the last three issues of the publication. If entering a digital newsletter, include a URL to view the original digital format of the last three issues.

NEWSLETTER–INTERNAL (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
An internal, employee-focused publication designed in a newsletter format and produced via print or digital media. NOTE: If the newsletter is being used for employee retention purposes, enter it in the Recruitment and Retention Communications category.
Submittal Requirements: A pdf of each of the last three issues of the newsletter.  If entering a digital newsletter include a URL to view the original digital format of the last three issues.

PRO BONO (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
Marketing materials created pro bono by a firm for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For example, a brochure created for a local homeless shelter fundraiser.  Submittal requirements: After a paid entry is submitted by a firm, they can submit one complimentary entry in the pro bono category. One pro bono entry per firm. Submission should include a pdf of the materials. If submitting digital files, include a URL to view the original digital components.

PROJECT PURSUIT MARKETING (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
An item or series of items developed in support of winning a project. Materials may be print and/or digital and include qualification packages, proposals, presentations, interview tools, leave-behinds, or other pieces that contributed to the total effort.
Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. If submitting digital files, include a URL to view the original digital components. Note: You may omit information deemed proprietary. In the notes section of the entry form, please note where you have omitted proprietary information.

 

PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
A comprehensive, multi-tactic campaign that takes place over an extended period to promote a specific company message, event, program, or project. The campaign must include a combination of tactics and media—print, digital, or multimedia—and implementation strategies. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of your promotional plan describing campaign focus and objectives. Submit a pdf of any collateral pieces and multimedia aspects of the program. If media relations were a part of the campaign, please submit a pdf of releases/media kits/features developed and a list of results. Include a URL to view the original digital format components.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMMUNICATIONS (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
A program designed to recruit potential and retain current employees through print and/or electronic communications, including but not limited to ads, brochures, form letters, pamphlets, postcards, announcements, and email promotions.
Submittal Requirements:  A pdf of all the pieces in the communications program. For digital pieces, include a URL to view original digital components.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA (Digital)
Specify type on the entry form:

• Multi-platform (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Blogs
• Podcasts

Any marketing effort that utilizes online social media tools to provide a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and user interaction. Can be one platform or a combination of platforms.
Submittal Requirements: Include a web link to view online, for blogs and podcasts, submit at least three consecutive postings/episodes for review.

SPECIAL EVENT
Please note, if entering a special event entry, it must be entered in the special event categories only. For example, if submitting an anniversary celebration promotional campaign, it would be entered into the Special event (mixed media) category. It can no longer be entered into the promotional campaign categories.

• SPECIAL EVENT (Digital) Digital pieces produced for one-time use to promote a special event including but not limited to an anniversary, new name, office opening, dedication, or groundbreaking. Submittal Requirements: Include a URL to view the original digital components.
• SPECIAL EVENT (Mixed)  A combination of print and digital pieces produced for one-time use to promote a special event including but not limited to an anniversary, new name, office opening, dedication, or groundbreaking. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. Include images of the original packaging if possible and include a URL to view the original digital components.
• SPECIAL EVENT (Print) Print pieces produced for one-time use to promote a special event including but not limited to an anniversary, new name, office opening, dedication, or groundbreaking. Submittal Requirements: A pdf of the materials. Include images of the original packaging if possible.

TRADESHOW MARKETING (Digital, Print, or Mixed)
Communication pieces and displays that were created to promote a firm’s attendance at tradeshow exhibits or used during the trade show to attract booth traffic. Materials may be in print and/or digital format. Submittal Requirements: A PDF of produced materials. Include photographs of the booth or display at the event. You may include a URL to view any digital components that support the trade show entry.

VIDEO (Digital)
Specify the video type on the entry form:

• External: A video created for external communication purposes.
• Internal: A video created for internal communication purposes.

Submittal Requirements: Submit a web link to view online in the original format. Reminder for holiday and special event entries: If entering a holiday or special event entry, it must be entered in those specific categories only. We will not accept entries created for those types of events in other categories. For example, if submitting a holiday video, it would be entered into the Holiday-digital only category. It can no longer be entered in the Video-external or internal categories.

WEBSITE (Digital)
Specify the website type on the entry form:

• External: An external, public website that either promotes your firm or has been launched by your firm for a specific project.
• Internal: Internal websites or intranets that have been launched for your firm’s internal communications.

Submittal Requirements: Include a URL to access the website. If entering an internal site, confirm you have permission to submit the internal site and only provide screenshots of the site and block or hide any sensitive information.  Please note judging period will last from April until June depending on how many entries are submitted in this category.

Questions?
Contact Molly Dall’Erta, SMPS Headquarters, at molly@smps.org or 703.684.2270.