Click here for a general overview of the contest, including instructions for entering.
Illustration or Graphic
An illustration or a graphic. Provide examples of the illustration or graphic in use.
Logo, Icon or Icon Set
A logo, icon or icon set. Provide examples of the item(s) in use. Include previous logos, icons or theme art if applicable.
Photography
An individual photo or a series of photographs, along with proof of publication or display. Describe any enhancements and manipulations made to the photo(s). If the manipulations add, or significantly change the nature of, or remove elements in the photo(s), provide a copy of the original, unedited photo(s).
Writing
The text from a news release, feature article, opinion piece, speech, blog post or other writing specimen used to educate, inform or establish a policy position. Entries will be judged for quality of writing only, not on layout or design.
Annual Report
An annual report, distributed in electronic or print format.
Multipage Publication
A booklet, brochure, calendar, pamphlet or other multipage publication, distributed in electronic or print format.
Newsletter or Magazine
A periodical publication, distributed in electronic or print format. Upload PDFs or equivalent electronic files representing three consecutive issues, all published between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. In your description, make note of the publication's publishing schedule (weekly, monthly, once every 2 months, quarterly, etc.).
One-Page Publication
A poster, infographic, map, flyer or other publication that combines text and graphical elements, distributed in electronic or print format.
A project consisting of a single sheet of paper, or the electronic equivalent, may be entered in this category, whether the design covers only one side of the paper, or both sides. For example, a map or flyer on a single sheet of paper, whether one- or two-sided, or its electronic equivalent, may be entered.
Program or Catalog
A program, activity catalog or other catalog, distributed in electronic or print format.
Agency, Event, Program or Service Video
A video designed to educate or inform audiences about an agency, event, program or service.
You may upload a complete video of any length, a continuous unedited 10-minute segment from a longer video, or a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Community Interest Video
An educational or informational video featuring community members, organizations, clubs, events, programs or other stories that generate human interest.
You may upload a complete video of any length, a continuous unedited 10-minute segment from a longer video, or a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Instructional Video
A training or demonstration video for an external or internal audience.
You may upload a complete video of any length, a continuous unedited 10-minute segment from a longer video, or a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Interview, Talk Show or News Magazine
A regularly scheduled program that reports current events through reports, packages, interviews or conversations in studio or on location.
You may upload up to 3 unedited segments individually, or you may upload a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Promotional Video
A promotional or profile video, over two minutes in duration, that highlights an organization, event, program or service.
You may upload a complete video of any length, a continuous unedited 10-minute segment from a longer video, or a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Public Health or Public Safety Video
An educational or informational video designed to highlight public health or public safety agencies, issues, programs or services.
You may upload a complete video of any length, a continuous unedited 10-minute segment from a longer video, or a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black depicting beginning, middle and end. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry.
Video Campaign or Series
A campaign or series with three or more segments intended to educate or raise awareness about an issue or topic.
You may upload up to 3 unedited segments individually, or you may upload a single video combining up to 3 segments separated by black. Judges will be not be required to watch more than 10 minutes of video total per entry
Video Short or Social Media Campaign
A short video, or a series of up to three short videos, used for promotional purposes, as a public service announcement or as part of a social media campaign.
Videos entered in this category should not exceed 2 minutes each in length.
Crisis Response
An organization's response to an unexpected or disruptive event, organizational crisis, natural disaster or emergency. Provide a narrative of the situation and the response. The entry may include information about preparedness, response, recovery, communication and other relevant elements.
Marketing or Communications Plan
A marketing or communications planning document, new or revised, that defines the intended outcomes, strategies and timeline for communicating with constituents about a specific project, program or topic. Include documentation of the plan's implementation and results.
Public Information Project
A project to raise the profile of government or a government activity, program, service or product. Submit all relevant material.
Special Event
An event to raise the profile of a government-related organization, agency, activity, program, service or product. Examples: a State of the County presentation, news conference, media event, or open house, or an event for a specific audience not necessarily open to the public. Submit all relevant material.
Community Engagement
An effort to increase community engagement, participation and awareness, with documented proof of success. Projects employing digital and/or non-digital engagement tools and techniques are eligible. Engagement tools may include, but are not limited to, community engagement platforms and services, blogs, microsites, podcasts, mobile apps, chatbots, and so on.
Social Media Engagement
A campaign that uses social media to promote public engagement, with documented proof of success.
Website Design or Redesign
A new or significantly redesigned intranet or external website. If entering a redesign, provide screen shots of (or other access to) the previous version of the site.
Engagement Activities
Entry limited to smaller organizations
This category celebrates excellence in digital, social media, and other engagement activities performed by smaller organizations and agencies..
To enter a project in this category, your organization must meet at least one of the following four criteria:
Printed Publications
Entry limited to smaller organizations
This category celebrates excellence in digital engagement or social media engagement performed by smaller organizations and agencies.
To enter a project in this category, your organization must meet at least one of the following four criteria:
If you have questions about these categories, please contact info@magconline.org.