June 20, 2013

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Awards FAQs


What are the IABC/Chicago Bronze Quill Awards?

The Chicago Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Chicago) Bronze Quill Awards program recognizes excellence in business communication programs performed by marketing, public relations, digital, creative and communication professionals. A Bronze Quill Award honors the finest Chicago-area communicators, recognizing how communication — from strategy to action — greatly impacts the bottom line of any organization.

Why should I enter?

Past winners have told us that winning an IABC/Chicago Bronze Quill Award is a great portfolio builder, helping them gain credibility within the industry and their organization, and assisting in building new business and customer relationships.  Winning a Bronze Quill Award is a professional honor that:

  • Demonstrates your ability to produce work that measures up to and stands out among your peers.
  • Bolsters your credibility in your organization and among your peers.
  • Shows that your strategic communication work has undeniable value.
  • Serves as a third-party endorsement from an international professional association.
  • Boosts your career by building a stronger, more credible portfolio. An award-winning work sample proves to prospective clients and/or employers that your communication work produces results.
  • Provides internal rewards. Shows your team members how proud you are of their efforts and the work they have accomplished.
  • Serves as a learning tool for your team.

Each entry is judged by a panel of seasoned professionals who provide feedback for each Quill entry. The comments serve as a valuable teaching tool for thoughtful, impartial, and constructive evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of submissions.

All winners will be invited to receive awards in person at a special reception.  IABC/Chicago will also publicize Bronze Quill Award winners and the companies they represent, so that peers and management, the press, and others may read about the achievement.

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Who Can Submit a Bronze Quill Award Entry?

Anyone producing business communication work examples, with a strategic plan, may enter. Entries must be original material. If the entry involves work for a client, entrants must show proof of client permission at time of entry.

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What Projects are Eligible for Bronze Quill Award Entry?

The entry should reflect work from the current calendar year. The materials may have been produced in the previous year but implemented or evaluated in the year of submission.  If the entry is a multi-year campaign/program, only the materials related to results documented in the current submission year can be considered.  Project time frames should be included in work plans.

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Can I Enter More Than Once?

Yes, entrants may submit multiple entries.  Entrants may also submit the same entry, or parts of any entry, in as many categories that apply.  You may not submit an entry, or parts of an entry, more than once in the same category. Separate fees apply for each entry.

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Can I Submit an Entry that I Submitted to IABC Silver and Gold Quill Awards?

Yes. IABC/Chicago has aligned the entry process with the IABC Gold Quill and IABC/Pacific Plains Silver Quill programs, so it could not be easier to enter.  The categories and divisions are similar so you can easily adapt any Gold or Silver Quill entry into a Bronze Quill Entry.

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How Do I Enter the IABC/Chicago Bronze Quill Awards?

Read the Call for Entries Brochure in its entirety.  Be sure to follow the guidelines provided.  Once the work plan and work samples are completed, entries are submitted digitally through our online awards system.

Please note that our criteria are closely modeled after the IABC Gold and Silver Quill Award competition. (You will see references to language used in the Gold Quill competition in the sections following.) This means you will be able to reuse most of the same Work Plan and Work Sample you created for those entries, if applicable.

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Who Judges My Entry?

Judging panels are comprised of IABC members from other IABC Chapters, similar to size and scope.  Each judge must have one or more of the following criteria:  10 years of industry experience, hold an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation, or a prior IABC Quill award winner.  IABC/Chicago makes efforts to align judges with their area of expertise so that entrants receive applicable feedback.  Judges are unbiased professionals who are experienced in various communication capacities.  Decision of the judges is final.

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How Are Entries Scored?

Entries into Division 1: Communication Management must demonstrate the full range of strategic communication management, including planning, management, measurement and evaluation, which accounts for 50 percent of the total score. The other 50 percent is based on the quality of the work sample that supports, or proves, the success of the communications plan.

Entries submitted in Division 2:  Communication Skills must demonstrate quality of the tactical component of a strategic communication project.  The Communication Skills division includes communication products (publications, advertising, websites, newsletters, etc.) that showcase technical skills, such as editing, writing and design. Entries must demonstrate creativity, measurable results and strategic alignment with their organization’s business goals. The work plan accounts for 40 percent of the total score, and the work sample accounts for the remaining 60 percent of the score.

Division 3: Communication Creative entries include projects that showcase creative talent and design that also perform communication functions. Redesign projects are also included in this division. Entrants must demonstrate innovation, creativity, strategic alignment with an organization’s business goals and effective visual communication. Work plans count for 25 percent of the overall score, with work samples accounting for the remaining 75 percent.

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What Criteria Are Used to Evaluate Each Entry?

Entries are judged quantitatively using the parameters outlined in each category description. Unbiased professionals, experienced in various communication capacities, will judge the work sample quality and the competency demonstrated by the entry report (objective, strategy and measurement).

Elements of award-winning entries include:

  • Clear objectives that support business/organizational goals and demonstrate a clear understanding of target audiences;
  • Creative and effective communication strategies and activities that bring value and benefits to an organization; and
  • Measurement of the outcome of the communication program against the stated objectives/goals.

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What is the Difference Between an Award of Merit and Award of Excellence?

Judging scores are based on a scale from 0 to 7. Any entry with a final score of 5.25 to 5.74 receives a Bronze Quill Award of Merit. Entries scoring 5.75 and above receive a Bronze Quill Award of Excellence, representing the highest level of communication excellence at the area level. Entries with a score below 5.25 receive no award.
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What if I Am Disqualified?

Any entry that does not adhere to the rules as specified in the Call for Entry will be disqualified. Notification will be made, but entry fees will not be refunded.

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Can I Get My Entry Back?

No. Entry materials will not be returned.

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Will I Get Feedback About My Entry?

This year is our pilot year of electronic award submission.  We are working on ways to develop a feedback mechanism so that you receive a shore sheet and judge feedback.  However, this may not be possible by the time winners are announced.  Please check back for further updates.

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How Much Does It Cost to Submit an Entry?

Submission fees are comprised on an annual basis, based on various factors like budget, competitive and market analysis.  Fees generally run from $90-$150 per entry.  IABC members receive a discount on entry fees.  The Call for Entries brochure outlines fees each year.

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What Is IABC?

IABC is a not-for-profit association with approximately 14,000 members worldwide. Our members practice all disciplines of communication, including corporate communication, employee and internal communication, marketing, public relations, external communication, media relations, community relations, public affairs, investor relations and government relations.

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More Questions?

Contact us at awards@iabcchicago.com.

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