Award Categories & Divisions

Programs or strategies created for employees or member audiences.

• Communications that build understanding or shape behaviour
• Work that supports ethics, morale, culture or change
• Efforts to strengthen face-to-face communication
• Programs that improve alignment with organizational direction
• Support for teams preparing for organizational change
• Culture integration during an acquisition or downsizing
• Internal ambassador programs
• Initiatives that build pride in the organization

Programs or strategies that show how communications strengthen employee engagement at a local, regional, national or international level.

• Communications that support the development or promotion of engagement programs
• Use of communications channels that encourage employee involvement
• Employee recognition programs
• Employee volunteer initiatives
• Programs that support charitable causes
• Communications that highlights employee achievements or contributions

Programs or strategies created for internal audiences that support understanding of HR initiatives or employment-related information.

• Communications about health and welfare benefits
• Information related to savings or pension programs
• Communications about compensation or stock programs
• Recruitment or retention communications for employees
• Content that helps employees understand available programs or changes

Communications strategies that help audiences understand and adapt to organizational change.

• Communications that support planned or emerging change
• Work directed at internal audiences, external audiences or both
• Efforts that explain the reason for change or guide audiences through transitions

Programs or strategies that help employees understand and practice safe behaviour in the workplace.

• Communications that builds awareness of safety expectations
• Initiatives that address specific safety issues or risks
• Programs that reinforce ongoing safety commitments

Programs or strategies that help leaders communicate with confidence.

• Communications that strengthens leadership presence or effectiveness
• Programs that improve how leaders communicate within an organization
• Support that builds leader knowledge about communication as a business tool
• Toolkits with speaking notes or guidance for key topics
• Interactive tools such as games or activities that support leadership communications
• Special publications that offer information or support for leadership communications

Strategies that build or strengthen a brand for internal or external audiences. This may involve introducing a new brand or repositioning an existing one.

• Brand development that defines characteristics or attributes
• Updates to corporate identity or visual systems that support brand clarity
• Design solutions that help audiences understand or navigate a brand
• Strategic advertising campaigns that build awareness or shape opinion
• Campaigns that influence behaviour or support product and service adoption

Strategies or ongoing programs that educate, inform or engage customer audiences.

• Communications that support customer understanding or experience
• Programs that influence reputation, loyalty or market position
• Relationship management initiatives
• Customer experience standards supported by communications
• Appreciation programs that strengthen customer connection

Strategies or programs that use news media as the primary channel to reach target audiences and influence awareness, understanding or action. Entries must show the quality and impact of media coverage. Volume alone is not considered a valid measure.

• Media strategies that support organizational goals
• Use of earned media to shape public understanding
• Communications that guide media engagement or response
• Coverage that demonstrates clear influence or outcomes

Sub-categories:

• 9a: Budget up to $50K
• 9b: Budget more than $50K up to $100K
• 9c: Budget more than $100K

Reminder: Please note the sub-category on the work plan and on the entry form.

One-time or ongoing programs that help community stakeholders understand issues that affect business operations. These programs aim to build trust and credibility through open communication.

• Communications that supports dialogue with community groups
• Programs that address local concerns or share organizational updates
• Consultation activities that invite feedback or participation
• Meetings, town halls, workshops or presentations
• Open houses or other community-facing events
• Electronic or printed materials that support community understanding

Short- or long-term programs that influence the views or actions of government bodies or agencies. These programs aim to build awareness or shape the attitudes and behaviours of key decision-makers.

• Programs that help government audiences understand organizational or industry issues
• Efforts that build constructive relationships with government stakeholders
• Materials or activities that inform, educate or guide decision-makers

Programs or strategies created by government organizations at the municipal, provincial, state, regional, federal, national or international level. These programs may target one or several audiences and may be internal, external or integrated.

• Communications that support public information or service delivery
• Internal communications for government employees or departments
• Programs that explain policies, initiatives or public priorities
• Communications that helps communities understand government actions
• Integrated programs that align messaging across multiple audiences

Programs that share financial information or recommendations with investors and other interested groups. These programs support understanding of an organization’s financial position, performance or direction.

• Communications that explains financial data or updates
• Materials that support investor confidence or clarity
• Reporting that helps audiences interpret results or forecasts
• Investor relations activities that connect finance, communications and regulatory requirements

Programs that strengthen relationships with the financial community and stakeholders

Programs for internal or external audiences that address issues, trends or attitudes with significant impact on an organization. This includes events or situations such as labour relations, crises, mergers, acquisitions, public policy matters or environmental concerns.

• Communications that explain risks or issues affecting operations or reputation
• Response efforts during a crisis or extraordinary event
• Programs that address shifting public attitudes or stakeholder concerns
• Communications that support recovery or stabilization

Programs or strategies that communicate social responsibility and encourage positive action. These programs help build awareness, strengthen reputation and position the organization as a responsible community partner.

• Communications that support environmental or social initiatives
• Programs targeted to multiple audiences, including employees, customers or community groups
• Work that may influence customer loyalty, recruitment, retention or operational performance
• Long-term efforts that support community well-being
• Initiatives related to sustainability, food safety, economic stability, employment or poverty reduction
• Programs that support literacy, education, health or cultural preservation
• Communications that advance Indigenous or heritage protection initiatives

Programs that address the unique communication needs of the non-profit sector. These campaigns often operate with limited resources and may involve internal or external audiences.

• Campaigns that support fundraising, advocacy or community awareness
• Projects delivered as paid work or pro-bono support
• Work that reflects small budgets or no budget conditions
• Programs that help non-profits engage volunteers, donors or community partners

Campaigns or programs that strengthen a culture of inclusion. Entries must focus on the communication elements of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility work and may support specific topics, events or broader strategies.

• Communications that advances equity or inclusion
• Events or activities that support IDEA goals
• Programs that encourage participation or dialogue among key groups

Sub-categories:

• 17a Anti-racism
• 17b 2SLGBTQ+
• 17c Accessibility
• 17d Reconciliation

Reminder: Please include the correct sub-category on the work plan and entry form.

Marketing programs that connect buyers and sellers through planned communication activities. These programs support the promotion of products, services, destinations or ideas.

• Programs delivered through coordinated channels or platforms
• Communications that support product or service adoption
• Destination or place marketing
• Work that extends beyond advertising alone, even when advertising is included

Programs that use social media to inform, engage or host conversation with internal or external audiences.

• Communications designed for social networks or sharing platforms
• Content that encourages participation or collaboration
• Use of blogs, podcasts or other conversation-driven formats
• Activity across networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram

Formative research conducted at the start of the communications planning process. This research helps define audience needs, assess the environment and guide strategic direction.

• Benchmarking of internal audience opinions or behaviours
• Reviews of the marketplace or internal communications environment
• Analysis of best practices to support organizational needs
• Stakeholder analysis or competitive benchmarking
• Secondary research related to best practices
• Test markets for programs or products
• Reputation or brand studies

Training or educational programs that build communications skills for internal or external audiences. These programs may support leadership development, media readiness, presentation skills or other communication competencies.

• Workshops, seminars or classes focused on communication skills
• Leadership communications training for supervisors or managers
• Employee ambassador or spokesperson training
• Media training or speaker preparation
• Coaching for conferences, university sessions or professional events

Planning and execution of events designed for internal or external audiences.

Internal events may include:

• Employee appreciation events
• Anniversaries or milestone celebrations
• Internal conferences or meetings
• Retirement events or other significant recognitions

External events may include:

• Conferences or workshops
• Product launches or official openings
• Road shows or customer events
• Public celebrations or community-facing activities

Digital communications created for internal or external audiences using online or electronic channels.

• Websites, intranets or online stores
• Blogs, podcasts or other interactive platforms
• Social networks such as LinkedIn or Facebook
• Wikis, message boards or other collaborative networks
• Content-sharing sites such as YouTube or Flickr
• Electronic newsletters, digital annual reports or special publications
• E-cards, banner ads, pop-ups or similar digital materials
• One-way communications that provide information or publishes content online

Communications delivered through sound, video or multimedia formats.

• Video productions for internal or external audiences
• Audio content such as voiceovers, interviews or recordings
• Presentations or slide-based formats
• Films or multimedia pieces created for communications purposes
• Content designed to inform, train or engage audiences through audio or visual elements

Programs that use social platforms to share information, support conversation, or build community.

• Content designed for platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter
• Programs that encourage interaction or participation
• Campaigns that share knowledge or experiences in a social format
• Use of blogs, podcasts or social publishing tools
• Programs that strengthen relationships with key audiences through social engagement

Publications produced for internal or external audiences in digital or print format.

• Magazines, newsletters or newspapers
• Annual reports or special reports
• Brochures or booklets created for information or promotion
• Electronic publications such as e-newsletters or digital magazines
• Other structured publication formats

Writing created for print or digital formats that informs, engages or persuades specific audiences.

Journalism

• Writing intended for news media
• Editorials, articles, news releases or feature stories

Corporate Writing

• Communications for employees or external stakeholders
• Columns, newsletters, speeches, presentations or executive messages
• Scripts, internal publications or technical writing
• Writing for websites or annual reports

Promotional Writing

• Content designed to persuade or influence action
• Advertising or marketing materials
• Sales promotion content or advertorials
• Writing created for the web with a promotional purpose

Nonprofit Writing

• Communications that promote nonprofit organizations or their events
• Writing created for awareness, fundraising or community support

Special Projects

• Books, educational materials or scripts for theatre
• Any writing projects not mentioned above

Programs or initiatives where AI supports communications strategy, execution or guidance.

• Projects that use AI tools or platforms to achieve communications outcomes
• Communications that explains or teaches audiences how to use AI effectively
• Strategies that demonstrate leadership in the responsible use of AI
• Development of governance or ethical frameworks for AI use
• Programs that encourage stakeholders to adopt AI in an ethical manner