Bulldog Media Relations Awards - FAQs
Announcing the 2012 Bulldog Media Relations Awards: More chances to win ultimate prestige than any other awards program
Frequently Asked Questions and Easy-to Understand Answers
This year some 100 Bulldog Media Relations Awards will be granted—more than any other competition—honoring the best our industry has to offer in media relations campaigns. Why should you enter? First, because the Bulldog Awards are the only Awards judged by working journalists and bloggers, our toughest critics and some of the people we work hardest to please. When they say you're the best, you know you are. Second, because when you win a Bulldog Award, the world knows about it—winners receive more coverage, more publicity and more visibility than with any other PR industry program. Third, entry is easy and inexpensive. Complete online details.
FAQs
Q. How much does it cost?
A. One campaign per category is $295. To enter that one campaign in multiple categories costs an additional $75 per category. Each different campaign is another $295.
Q. What goes into the entry packet?
A. This is very important: You must upload a PDF of each campaign entry, plus payment for each entry. Each entry must include three things:
- An explanation of the campaign,
- a copy of your best media placement only, and
- your online entry form. The online entry form must be completely filled out. If any part of form is left blank, entry will not be accepted.
Q. What goes into the campaign explanation?
A. The explanation should cover the following information:
Strategy: What was the creative and analytical thinking that went into this particular campaign? What led you to select the angle and the media you chose? What difficulties or budget limitations did you have to overcome?
Pitch/implementation: Elucidate the media relations aspect of the PR campaign. How did you approach the media and facilitate media coverage? How did you position the story? What kind of groundwork was necessary before the journalist(s) bought in? If discussing a website or online pressroom, focus on your originality and proven effectiveness.
Summary of results: Please include a brief summary of media placements, but more importantly, evidence of the effects of the campaign. For instance, "sales have increased 10%" or "web traffic increased by two million visits per month" or "public opinion was changed from 10% approval to 25% approval."
Q. When you say "best hit," what does that mean?
A. The entry packet should include a clip of your most impressive media coverage—your best hit—whether that's broadcast or print. Our judges want to see only one clip, but if you really, really can't decide, you may include two—but please, no more. Brevity is key to an outstanding Bulldog Awards entry.
Q. On the entry form you ask for budget, but my client doesn't want to reveal the campaign budget. Can I leave it blank?
A. No, our judges need to be able to compare "apples to apples." If it's really a huge problem, you can specify a budget range (for instance, "under $10,000" or "$45-50,000"). A range of "$100,000 to $1,000,000" is too broad and will not be accepted.
Q. What exactly are you asking for with "budget"?
A. We are using "budget" to mean the amount of money the client or top management was willing to spend to achieve the desired results. Don't include what the corporation or agency pays its employees or what the client pays to retain their agency. Stick to the expense that could be allocated directly to your campaign.
Q. How many copies of everything do I have to send?
A. You need to send one copy of the entry packet for each category entered. For example: If you enter one campaign in three different categories, you'll pay $445 ($295 + $75 + $75), plus a late fee of $145 if applicable, and you'll upload 3 copies of the entry packet.
Q. I don't understand the categories. My campaign was a new consumer product launch for a high-tech company – do I enter in "New Product Launch, Consumer" or "Technology, Consumer"? Am I supposed to pick one from each list?
A. The categories were chosen to give each PR campaign several categories to choose from, and several opportunities to win. That's also why entries in additional categories are only $75 more—to encourage you to enter the campaign in all applicable categories. But, if you only want to choose one, pick the category in which you feel your campaign most stands out.
