Call for Entries Deadline: Nov. 14, 2025

Setting the Benchmark for Media Excellence

PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards honor the boldest and most effective campaigns, teams and professionals shaping the future of communications. This is your chance to showcase the strategies, storytelling and results that defined excellence over the past year.

From inventive campaigns and powerful pitches to visionary teams and standout professionals, these awards celebrate the best of the best in media relations. Every entry is a testament to the creativity, strategy and influence that drive the industry forward.

Finalists will earn recognition as the innovators redefining media relations in an ever-evolving landscape. Winners will be revealed and celebrated at a live event in 2026, where the industry gathers to honor achievement and spotlight its brightest stars.

By entering, you position your work alongside the most prestigious campaigns and practitioners in the field. This is more than an award, it’s a platform for visibility, credibility and lasting influence.

Whether your story is one of resourcefulness, innovation, or transformative impact PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards are your stage. Submit your entry today and let the world see the power of your ideas, your team and your vision.

CATEGORIES

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

 Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Over $50,000

Honoring large-scale campaigns that achieved exceptional visibility and influence. These efforts demonstrated bold strategy, creative execution and measurable impact across audiences and industries.

 Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Under $50,000

Spotlighting resourceful campaigns that delivered outsized results on modest budgets. These initiatives proved creativity and strategy can outperform spend.

 Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Under $10,000

Recognizing small-budget efforts that achieved remarkable reach and engagement. These campaigns showcased ingenuity, focus and the power of lean storytelling.

 Media Relations Professional of the Year

Celebrating an outstanding individual whose media relations expertise and innovation led to success for their organization or clients. This honor recognizes leadership, creativity and measurable influence on the profession.

 Media Relations Team of the Year

Honoring collaborative groups that transformed strategy into results. These teams set new standards for excellence, impact and cohesion in media relations.

CATEGORIES

 Brand Messaging or Positioning

Recognizing campaigns that clarified and strengthened brand identity through compelling narratives. These initiatives ensured consistency, differentiation and resonance in competitive markets.

 Cause Marketing

Celebrating initiatives that authentically connected organizations with causes that matter. These campaigns advanced social good while elevating brand reputation.

 Community Relations

Honoring strategies that built trust, visibility and goodwill within communities. These efforts strengthened relationships and created lasting impact.

 Content Marketing and Brand Journalism

Spotlighting campaigns that turned brand storytelling into a powerful media relations tool. These initiatives drove engagement, awareness and credibility.

 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Recognizing CSR efforts that showcased accountability and positive impact. These campaigns highlighted meaningful contributions while strengthening brand integrity.

 Crisis or Reputation Management

Celebrating strategies that preserved trust in times of turbulence. These initiatives balanced transparency, speed and creativity to protect reputations.

 Data-Driven and Measurement

Honoring campaigns that used insights and analytics to fuel smarter media strategies. These efforts proved the power of measurement in driving results and refining approaches.

 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)

Recognizing media campaigns that authentically championed DE&I values. These initiatives amplified voices, inspired connection and drove industry progress.

 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Spotlighting communications that highlighted ESG commitments and achievements. These efforts reinforced credibility while shaping important conversations.

 Finance/Fintech

Celebrating campaigns that translated complex financial topics into engaging, accessible stories. These initiatives built trust and drove visibility in a competitive sector.

 Global Media Relations

Recognizing international campaigns that transcended borders to make an impact. These efforts balanced cultural nuance with consistent messaging to achieve global resonance.

 Governmental or Public Affairs Media Relations

Honoring campaigns that influenced policy, opinion and public understanding. These initiatives showcased strategic communication in complex governmental landscapes.

 Healthcare

Spotlighting campaigns that advanced healthcare awareness, innovation and trust. These efforts brought clarity, compassion and credibility to vital issues.

 Influencer Relations

Celebrating collaborations that transformed influencer partnerships into measurable media success. These initiatives amplified reach, credibility and authentic engagement.

 Innovative Media Strategy

Recognizing breakthrough strategies that redefined what’s possible in media relations. These efforts showcased creativity, originality and impact.

 Integrated Marketing Communications

Honoring campaigns that blended PR with other disciplines to maximize influence. These initiatives demonstrated the power of integration in achieving results.

 Investor Relations

Spotlighting media strategies that strengthened trust with investors and stakeholders. These initiatives blended transparency with compelling narratives to shape financial reputation.

 Issues Management

Recognizing campaigns that anticipated and navigated sensitive issues with confidence. These efforts preserved trust, minimized risk and reinforced credibility.

 Media Relations

Celebrating standout campaigns that elevated visibility and influence through media outreach. These initiatives set benchmarks for creativity, reach and impact.

 New Product or Service Launch

Honoring media strategies that introduced products or services with clarity and excitement. These efforts captured attention and fueled adoption.

 Newsjacking

Spotlighting campaigns that skillfully capitalized on trending stories to boost visibility. These initiatives demonstrated agility, creativity and cultural relevance.

 Nonprofit

Recognizing nonprofit efforts that advanced missions and inspired support. These campaigns proved the impact of storytelling in driving awareness and action.

 Pitch

Celebrating the art of the pitch that secured meaningful media placements. These entries exemplified precision, creativity and results.

 Podcast

Honoring branded podcasts that informed, entertained and connected with audiences. These initiatives amplified brand storytelling and extended reach.

 Press Event or Media Tour

Spotlighting events that maximized visibility and engagement with media audiences. These efforts created memorable experiences and delivered measurable impact.

 Press Release

Recognizing releases that went beyond the standard announcement to captivate journalists. These entries showcased clarity, creativity and results.

 Pro Bono Campaign

Celebrating campaigns delivered without charge that created meaningful community or social impact. These efforts proved generosity and creativity go hand in hand.

 Public Health

Honoring media strategies that advanced health awareness, education and trust. These initiatives connected with audiences on vital issues.

 Purpose-Driven

Recognizing campaigns that authentically aligned brands with a greater mission. These efforts advanced change while reinforcing brand values.

 Rebrand

Celebrating media campaigns that successfully repositioned or refreshed brand identity. These initiatives revitalized perception and energized audiences.

 Research

Spotlighting original research that drove storytelling, media coverage and thought leadership. These initiatives turned insights into influence.

 Social Media

Honoring campaigns that turned social platforms into stages for visibility and engagement. These efforts sparked conversation, connection and measurable results.

 Speechwriting

Recognizing speeches that captivated audiences and reinforced brand voice. These entries blended clarity, creativity and influence.

 Stunt or Special Event

Celebrating bold activations that commanded attention and generated coverage. These initiatives proved creativity’s power to spark conversation and visibility.

 Technology

Honoring media campaigns that simplified and humanized complex tech stories. These efforts drove awareness, trust and adoption.

 Thought Leadership

Spotlighting campaigns that positioned voices as authorities in their fields. These initiatives turned expertise into influence and credibility.

 Traditional and New Media Integration

Recognizing campaigns that seamlessly bridged traditional and digital media channels. These efforts maximized reach, resonance and results.

 Use of AI

Celebrating innovative applications of AI in media relations. These initiatives showcased optimization, creativity and forward-thinking strategy.

 Use of a Celebrity or Personality

Honoring campaigns that leveraged personalities to amplify credibility and reach. These efforts blended authenticity with star power for impact.

 Video

Recognizing video storytelling that captured attention and fueled engagement. These initiatives brought ideas to life with clarity and creativity.

 Virtual Event

Celebrating virtual experiences that engaged media and audiences with originality. These efforts proved digital platforms can deliver lasting impact.

HOW TO ENTER

Awards Criteria

When completing your entry, include a 350–900 word synopsis with these sections (as applicable):

  • Goals: What did you set out to achieve through your media relations efforts? (Coverage, awareness, reputation, relationships, influence, etc.)
  • Strategy and Tactics: How did you plan to secure coverage and shape the narrative? (Media outreach, journalist relationships, pitching, messaging, creative angles.)
  • Execution: What brought your plan to life? (Press releases, pitches, events, activations, content, digital initiatives, partnerships.)
  • Evaluation/Results: How did you measure success? (Media placements, brand awareness, reputation, sentiment, relationships, ROI.)

What judges want to see: Clear objectives, innovative strategy, smart execution, measurable results, and alignment with the category descriptions.

Supporting materials: Press releases, media lists, pitch examples, coverage reports, analytics, testimonials, videos, or other documentation. Proprietary documents can be uploaded and will remain confidential.

ENTER

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

These awards are open to in-house, agency and independent communication practitioners in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your client.

Companies from around the world are welcome to enter as long as the entry is submitted in English.

Contact Brendan Gannon to find the perfect category for your campaign or project. You can call 312-960-4407 or email [email protected].

This year’s program is open to any work executed between Nov. 1, 2024, and Nov. 14, 2025, inclusive.

ENTRY FEES

The fee for this program is $550 per entry into standard categories, and $600 per entry into Awards of Distinction categories.

A late fee of $325 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, Nov. 15, 2024.

Do you have a campaign, project, individual or team you'd like to enter into multiple categories? Pay the original entry fee, and then only $250 for each additional category!

All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
PR Daily’s Media Relations Awards spotlight the campaigns, teams and professionals setting the standard for excellence in communications. Winners gain recognition across our platforms and social channels, a custom profile celebrating their achievement, a trophy that validates strategy, creativity and results, and lasting credibility within the industry.
WHO CAN ENTER THESE AWARDS?
Entries are open to organizations, agencies and individuals worldwide. The program welcomes in-house teams, agencies, independent practitioners and vendors across corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Entries must be submitted in English.
CAN I ENTER TWO OR MORE CATEGORIES?
Yes. You are encouraged to enter multiple categories, as each submission is judged independently. Discounted pricing applies to your second entry and beyond, increasing your opportunities for recognition.
WHAT DO THE JUDGES LOOK FOR IN ENTRIES?
Judges seek bold, strategic and results-driven work that demonstrates media relations excellence. Strong entries define objectives clearly, showcase originality, highlight measurable outcomes and include supporting materials such as press coverage, pitches, multimedia content or campaign collateral. Please look at our past award winners to see what gets recognized and rewarded.
WHY ARE SOME DEADLINES EXTENDED?
We extend deadlines based on applicant needs and to accommodate promotional opportunities.
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT RESULTS?
All entrants will be notified of their status approximately three months after the final entry deadline. Finalists will be recognized—and winners revealed—at a live event in 2026.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please email Brendan Gannon at [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected]. 

 

Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.