Award Categories

Categories are grouped under general award areas: Advertising, Electronic and Digital Media, Graphic Design, Print and Digital Publications, Programs and Projects, and Writing and Publications

Please note that an entry may be eligible for submission in more than one category.

Submit your nomination by clicking on the appropriate District III Institutional Awards or CASE Platinum awards category below.

2020 District III Award winners will be announced in January.

District III Institutional Award Areas and Categories

Advertising

01a. Total Advertising Campaign
This award recognizes an outstanding total advertising campaign: a coordinated series of linked advertisements (print, web, radio, television, mobile and/or social media) with a single idea or theme. Any combination of advertisements may be used to illustrate the breadth of the campaign. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Judging criteria
• Demonstrates "best practice"
• Meets stated objectives/solid results
• Demonstrates creativity/innovation/thoughtfulness in execution
• Demonstrates strategic thinking regarding audience and purpose
• Use of resources (budget/staff time)

01b. Individual Print Advertising
This award recognizes a single print advertisement designed to promote an institution or a specific idea, event or program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

01c. Individual Digital Advertising
This award recognizes a single digital advertisement designed to promote an institution or a specific idea, event or program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

01d. Individual Radio Advertising
This award recognizes a single radio advertisement designed to promote an institution or a specific idea, event or program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

01e. Commercial or Public Service Announcement
This award recognizes paid commercials and/or public service announcements. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Electronic and Digital Media

02a. Total Website Design and Organization
This award recognizes the overall design and organization of a website. Judges will consider content and usability, including structure, navigation and functionality, as well as the aesthetics and creativity of the interface. (Please note that this category is intended for primary institutional websites. There are separate categories for alumni, recruitment and fundraising websites.) All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02b. Mobile Application – Utility/Service
This award recognizes the effectiveness of mobile applications. Judges will look primarily at utility and usability, including structure, navigation and fluid functionality. The aesthetics and creativity of the interface are also important. Examples may include a mobile admission or fundraising app. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02c. Social Media Strategy and Execution
This award recognizes the outstanding use of social media. Judges will look for strategies and resulting campaigns that are targeted, focused, measurable, memorable, engaging, appropriate and profitable. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02d. Magazine or Publication Rendering for Tablet or Mobile Technology
This award recognizes the adaptation of a magazine or publication for viewing on a tablet or mobile device. Although publications may also be published as hard copy, they must have been specially adapted to be digital content. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02e. Recruitment Video
This award recognizes an outstanding recruitment video. Judges will look for creativity and imagination, excellence in design and implementation and quantifiably appropriate results tied to stated objectives. Outcomes and assessments are important factors in this category, as are budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02f. Fundraising Video
This award recognizes an outstanding fundraising video. Judges will look for creativity and imagination, excellence in design and implementation and quantifiably appropriate results tied to stated objectives. Outcomes and assessments are important factors in this category, as are budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02g. Marketing/Branding Video
This award recognizes an outstanding marketing or branding video. Entries should be simple, relevant, distinct, focused and memorable. Quantifiably appropriate results tied to stated objectives are important factors in this category, as are budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02h. Recruitment Website or Microsite
This award recognizes an outstanding recruitment website or microsite. Judges will look for creativity and imagination, excellence in design and implementation and quantifiably appropriate results tied to stated objectives. Outcomes and assessments are important factors in this category, as are budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02i. Fundraising Website or Microsite
This award recognizes an outstanding fundraising website or microsite. Judges will look for creativity and imagination, excellence in design and implementation and quantifiably appropriate results tied to stated objectives. Outcomes and assessments are important factors in this category, as are budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02j. Alumni Website or Microsite
This award recognizes an outstanding alumni website or microsite. Judges will consider content; usability, including structure, navigation and functionality; the aesthetics and creativity of the interface; and budget and staff resources. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

02k. Online Innovation/Experimentation
This award recognizes the original, experimental, unconventional and innovative use of digital/electronic technology in supporting university initiatives. Please specify how this use of technology was innovative in this context. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Graphic Design

03a. Single-Page Publications or flier
This award is for one-page publications. Entries may have multiple folds. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03b. Multipage Publication or Folder
This award is for multipage publications. Examples may include publications that are saddle stitched, glued or perfect bound. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03c. Periodical
This award recognizes graphic design in a publication that goes out on a regular basis, whether monthly or annually. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03d. Cover
This award recognizes graphic design on the cover of a magazine, tabloid or brochure. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03e. Book
This award recognizes graphic design on and/or in a dust jacket or bound book. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03f. Poster
This award recognizes graphic design on a poster that advertises a program, event, campaign or policy. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03g. Editorial Design
This award assesses the overall editorial design of a multipage publication, giving special consideration to editorial decisions that enhance the quality and effectiveness of the piece. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03h. Specialty Piece
This award recognizes graphic design for projects such as calendars, invitations or other special design projects. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03i. Illustration - Cover
This award recognizes an original illustration used as the primary artwork for a publication cover. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03j. Illustration – Interior Spread
This award recognizes an original illustration used as the primary artwork for a publication interior. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

03k. Photography – Individual
This award recognizes a single color or black-and-white photograph printed in a publication or used online. Photographs must be submitted online via upload or a link to the website.

03l. Photography – Series
This award recognizes a photo story or a series produced for a single special project or event. Photographs must be submitted online via upload or a link to the website.

03m. Unpublished Works
This award recognizes work that was never realized. There are no constraints other than that the work is graphic design for a print or digital publication that was never published. Work must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Print and Digital Publications

04a. Recruitment Publication
This award is for a single print or digital publication for recruitment purposes. Examples may include a viewbook, magazine, informational packet, brochure or other publication. Please note that recruitment videos and dedicated recruitment websites have their own categories in the Electronic and Digital Media division. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04b. Recruitment Publication Series
This award is for a series of print or digital recruitment publications that are linked by theme or campaign. Entries should include five or more pieces. Combinations of print and digital are acceptable, as well as recruitment videos and websites that are part of the series. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04c. Fundraising Publication
This award is for a single print or digital publication for fundraising purposes. Examples may include a case statement, proposal, informational packet, brochure or other publication. Please note that fundraising videos and dedicated fundraising websites have their own categories in the Electronic and Digital Media division. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04d. Annual Fund Publication
This award is for a single print or digital publication for annual fund purposes. Examples may include a brochure, direct mail appeal, email appeal, informational packet or other publication. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04e. Magazine I
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment of less than 5,000. The magazine may be four- or two-color. Please submit two different samples from your institution’s current year publication cycle. Judges will consider staff size and budget, so write about this in the summary tab. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04f. Magazine II
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment between 5,000 and 15,000. The magazine may be four- or two-color. Please submit two different samples from your institution’s current year publication cycle. Judges will consider staff size and budget, so write about this in the summary tab. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04g. Magazine III
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment of more than 15,000. The magazine may be four- or two-color. Please submit two different samples from your institution’s current year publication cycle. Judges will consider staff size and budget, so write about this in the summary tab. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04h. Tabloid
This award is for all institutions. The publication may be four- or two-color. Please submit one year’s publication cycle. Judges will consider staff size and budget, so write about this in the summary tab. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials. address.

04i. Magazine/Tabloid Improvement I
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment of less than 5,000. This category recognizes improvement from one year to the next. Entrants should provide detailed explanations of what changes were made and why. Staff size and budget will also be considered. Please submit two samples from the previous year and two samples from the current year. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04j. Magazine/Tabloid Improvement II
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment between 5,000 and 15,000. This category recognizes improvement from one year to the next. Entrants should provide detailed explanations of what changes were made and why. Staff size and budget will also be considered. Please submit two samples from the previous year and two samples from the current year. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04k. Magazine/Tabloid Improvement III
This award is for institutions with full-time enrollment of more than 15,000. This category recognizes improvement from one year to the next. Entrants should provide detailed explanations of what changes were made and why. Staff size and budget will also be considered. Please submit two samples from the previous year and two samples from the current year. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04l. Low Budget Publication
This award recognizes the efficient and innovative use of limited resources. You can define what “low budget” means, but you must include a statement as to why you consider your entry to be appropriate for this category. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04m. Green or Sustainable Publication
This award recognizes publications that meet sustainability guidelines and exhibit creative use of papers, inks and sustainable publication concepts. Please use the summary tab to explain your process, resources and results. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

04n. Annual Report
This award recognizes an annual report, which can be for an entire institution, a foundation or an alumni association. Reports that are entirely digital are eligible; please submit a URL. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Programs and Projects

05a. Alumni Relations Engagement Project, Event or Program
This award considers one alumni engagement project, event or program and how well it complements university goals and the overall alumni relations program. Examples might include an awards program, reunion or homecoming event, career networking event, volunteer training workshop or alumni club chapter. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. Pay special attention to describing budget and resources and how this impacted the program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05b. Alumni Relations Fundraising Project, Event or Program
This award concentrates on one alumni relations project, event or program with a fundraising component and considers how well it complements university goals and the overall alumni relations program. Examples might include scholarship fundraisers, reunion giving programs, homecoming or alumni club chapter organization events. Programs may incorporate chance drawings, silent auctions, annual fund appeals and more. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. Pay special attention to describing budget and resources and how this impacted the program. Funds raised should be reported as net proceeds (i.e., proceeds after expenses). All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05c. External Relations Engagement Program
This award is for a specific institutional, community, government or public affairs engagement program that is either a one-time or ongoing project designed to introduce or support a specific program, event or institutional priority. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05d. Media Relations Program
This award is for an overall media relations program designed to maintain or enhance media coverage of a specific program, event or institutional effort. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05e. Special Event
This award is for a special event designed to introduce or support a specific university program, event or institutional priority. Examples may include a presidential inauguration, a campaign kickoff or celebration, a state of the university address, an anniversary, the launch of a new initiative, a major one-time event or other special events. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05f. Branding/Identity Program or Campaign
This award is for a branding or identity program designed to support the institution. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. The branding campaign may be for an entire institution or a subunit. Pay special attention to describing budget and resources and how this impacted the program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05g. Crisis/Issues Management Plan
This award is for a crisis or issues management plan. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. Please upload the plan itself as a PDF. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05h. Overall Annual Fund Program
This award is designed to recognize the overall annual fund program of an institution or subunit. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. Pay special attention to describing budget and resources and how this impacted the program. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

05i. Sub unit Campaign
This award is designed to recognize the campaign of a subunit, not an institution wide campaign. Entries will be assessed based on the stated goals of a program and how successfully those goals were met. Entrants should also address weaknesses in programs and how they plan to combat those in the future. Pay special attention to describing budget and resources and how this impacted the program. Multiyear campaigns are eligible for entry during any phase. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

Writing and Publications

06a. Feature Writing
This award is for a single feature article written by a staff writer. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

06b. Publications Writing
This award is for the copy in a single print or digital publication written by one or more staff writers. While this award considers specifically the copy of a publication, judges will take into consideration editorial decisions, such as how well the copy matches the overall style of the publication. Examples of publications may include viewbooks, recruitment materials, university annual reports and others. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

06c. Speech Writing
This award is for a single speech written by a staff writer. Please describe in your entry the event at which the speech was given. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

06d. Writing for Fundraising
This award is for the copy in fundraising materials, such as direct mail solicitations, campaign case statements or fundraising emails. Entrants may include up to three examples of work that pertain to a single project, such as three related direct mail appeals or three pieces related to a single campaign. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

06e. Writing for the Media
This award is for a media pitch written by one or more staff writers. Entrants may include press releases and a comprehensive package of information used to pitch a story to media outlets. Note that it is the copy that will be assessed, not the design of the package. In the results field, please state which media outlets picked up the story, and use the URL link fields to link to resulting media hits. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

06f. Writing for the Web
This award is for the copy used on institutional websites or microsites. Entrants may include up to three examples of work that pertain to a single project, such as three webpages that share a common purpose. All materials must be submitted online via upload or a link to materials.

CASE Platinum Awards

A. Best Article of the Year

Start your entry.

This category is for a single article or collection of no more than three articles on any single subject published in an institutional periodical, typically a magazine or newsletter. Articles by freelance, staff, and non-staff writers may be submitted. Speeches or speech summaries, question-and-answer stories, and materials reprinted from other sources are not eligible.

Judging criteria

Superior writing style
Organization
Creativity
Careful editing