Corporate Communications, Investor Relations & Public Relations Categories
These categories recognize innovation in corporate communications, investor relations, and public relations since 1 January 2025.
Nominations that won in the 2026 edition of the awards may be resubmitted for consideration to the 2027 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be resubmitted to the categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.
Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories include
a. An essay of up to 4,900 characters describing the nominated innovative achievements since 1 January 2025, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same.
b. Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files, works samples, and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges.
C01. Award for Innovation in AI-Driven Communications Campaigns (New for 2027): Recognizes innovative uses of artificial intelligence to enhance communications campaigns, improve audience engagement, and deliver measurable results.
C02. Award for Innovation in Brand/Reputation Management (New for 2027): Recognizes creative strategies and initiatives that strengthen brand reputation, build trust, and enhance public perception.
C03. Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications: recognizing innovation in campaigns/programs that aim to improve relations with communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity, or campaigns/programs that that advance public understanding of societal issues, problems or concerns.
C04. Award for Innovation in Content Marketing (New for 2027): Recognizes innovative approaches to creating and distributing content that engage audiences, strengthen brand awareness, and achieve communications objectives.
C05. Award for Innovation in Crisis Communications: recognizing innovative strategies and communications efforts in managing and responding to a crisis, protecting reputation, and restoring stakeholder trust.
C06. Award for Innovation in Data-Driven Communications Strategy (New for 2027): Recognizes innovative uses of data, analytics, and insights to develop effective communications strategies and improve campaign performance.
C07. Award for Innovation in Experiential PR (New for 2027): Recognizes creative public relations initiatives that use immersive, interactive, or live experiences to engage audiences and generate publicity.
C08. Award for Innovation in Global Communications (New for 2027): Recognizes innovative communications strategies that effectively engage audiences across multiple countries, cultures, or international markets.
C09. Award for Innovation in Influencer Marketing Communications: recognizing the innovative use of influencer collaborations and content creator partnerships in integrated communications campaigns.
C10. Award for Innovation in Investor Relations: recognizing innovations in programs/campaigns that manage an organization’s relationship with its investors and/or the investment community.
C11. Award for Innovation in Media Relations: recognizing innovation in effective traditional media relations in a PR campaign.
C12. Award for Innovation in Public Affairs Communications: recognizing innovation in campaigns/programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies.
C13. Award for Innovation in the Use of Celebrities or Public Figures: recognizing innovation in programs/campaigns that effectively use public figures or celebrities to communicate, inform, or persuade.
C14. Award for Innovation in the Use of Events: recognizing the innovative use of events (live or virtual) in overall communications programs/campaigns.
C15. Award for Innovation in the Use of Social Media: recognizing the innovative use of social media communications on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as part of overall communications programs/campaigns.
C16. Award for Innovation in the Use of Video: recognizing the innovative use of video in communications programs/campaigns to affect, inform or persuade.
C17. Award for Innovation in the Use of Viral Media / Word of Mouth: recognizing innovation in the use of viral or word-of-mouth consumer-generated media tools in a communications program or campaign.
C18. Most Innovative Public Relations Agency of the Year
Your nomination must cite innovation since 1 January 2025 in at least three (3) of the following areas: Agency Management or Structure, Events, Investor Relations, Media Relations, Social Media, Video, the Use of Celebrities or Public Figures, and Viral Media / Word of Mouth.
C19. Most Innovative Communications Team of the Year
Your nomination must cite innovation since 1 January 2025 in at least three (3) of the following areas: Department or Team Management or Structure, Events, Investor Relations, Media Relations, Social Media, Video, the Use of Celebrities or Public Figures, and Viral Media / Word of Mouth.
C20. Most Innovative Communications Department of the Year (New for 2027): Recognizes communications departments that demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and measurable impact through their strategies, campaigns, and operations.
C21. Most Innovative Communications Professional of the Year
Your nomination must cite innovation since 1 January 2025 in at least one (1) of the following areas: Events, Investor Relations, Media Relations, Social Media, Video, the Use of Celebrities or Public Figures, and Viral Media / Word of Mouth.