Judging

Each entry will be initially evaluated by two experienced public relations professionals from outside of the Southern Nevada/Southern Utah market with a preference to have at least one accredited member judge each entry category. The entry’s final score will be an average of the two scores. Award score thresholds are as follows:

  • 85-100 points = Pinnacle
  • 75-84 Points = Award of Excellence
  • 65-74 = Award of Merit

If there is a 15-point (or more) discrepancy between the initial two scores, the entry will be judged by a PRSA-LVVC Board member or past chapter president who does not have a conflict of interest with the entry (e.g., employer, current or past client, or personal relationship). In these cases, the final score will be an average of the two closest scores. 

  • For example, an entry receives scores of 87 and 70 from the initial round of judging. A PRSA-LVVC Board member served as a third judge and scored the entry as earning 75 points. Since the third judge’s core is closer to the lower of the two initial scores (i.e., 70), the final score is the average of 70 and 75, which comes to 72.5 and the entry will receive an Award of Merit. 

There may be multiple winners at each level or no winners at all. Entries are only judged against each other (by members of the initial judging pool) in the event of a tie for either of the Best of Show awards.

Judging Criteria

PRESENTATION AND INTRODUCTION (UP TO 10 PTS)

A brief description of the organization, description of the program or project, why the program or project fits into the entry category, when the program or project was undertaken, entrant’s role in the program or project, the purpose of the program or project and how it benefited or is benefiting the organization.

Entries will demonstrate adherence to entry criteria and will be produced professionally.

RESEARCH (UP TO 20 PTS)

The primary and/or secondary research used to identify problems or opportunities addressed by the entry. Include the planning and execution of the research conducted.

PLANNING (UP TO 30 PTS)

The implementation plan including budget, timeline, goal(s), strategy(ies), target audience, SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) objectives, etc.

IMPLEMENTATION (UP TO 20 PTS)

The various elements of the program or project, techniques used, tactics undertaken, creativity, implementation of the plan and difficulties encountered. Participating or cooperating agencies should be identified along with their roles.

EVALUATION/RESULTS (UP TO 20 PTS)

Demonstrate how the program met or exceeded its SMART objectives through quantifiable measurement methods.

Best of Show

The highest average scoring entries in the Campaigns and Tactics categories will receive the additional recognition of being named Best in Show.

Individual Awards
Judges will form a decision by consensus after scoring. An award does not have to be given in any category if the judges feel no suitable nominee was submitted.

Winner Notification

After judging concludes in October, the Pinnacle Awards Committee will send email notification to Pinnacle Awards entrants if their entry received an award (either a Pinnacle Award, Award of Excellence, or Award of Merit).

The notification will be sent only to the person submitting the entry. You’ll have to come to the event to get the news as to which award(s) your entry(ies) received. 

A list of winning organizations will also be posted on this website in the Winners section following the Awards Ceremony