OVATION Awards – Submit an entry and FAQ

Submissions are now closed.

The “How to Create an Award-Winning Submission” Webinar can be found under the Resources tab.

How to create your entry

Step 1

• Determine the communication programs and tools you will enter and choose the appropriate division and category (picking the right category is important for success)
• Make sure your entry abides by the IABC Code of Ethics
• Here is a customizable justification letter in case you need approval and funding for your award entry
• Include a Client permission letter template (for work performed on behalf of a client) if applicable

Step 2

• Prepare the work plan (executive summary of your project)
  • Division 1: Communication Management, Division 2: Communication Research and Division 3: Communication Training & Education, download this work plan
    • It can be no more than four pages using a font size no smaller than 10-point and margins no less than 0.5 inch (1.27 cm)
    • There are six required sections
    • In addition, please include the following information at the top of the work plan:
      • Entrant’s name – please provide one name only
      • Organization name
      • Division and category
      • Title of entry
      • Time period of project
      • Team members, if any
      • Entry summary – (100 words maximum)
    • If you are entering the same program or elements of the program in multiple categories, be sure to tailor your work plan so it fits each category.
  • For entries in Division 4: Communication Skills, download this work plan(questions answered using an online form)
    • You do not need to complete a detailed work plan for the this division
    • Instead, you will need to complete a brief entry form on the awards entry website and submit it along with your work sample.
    • Each question has limited character counts for responses. The work sample should represent the full scope of your work.
  • Please make sure you state the correct category and division on your work plan and online entry form

Step 3

• Prepare your work sample (supporting materials that show how you planned and implemented your communication program)
• It can include external links to video and audio files, Word documents, PDFs and website links.
• Your work sample should represent the full scope of your work –  evaluators are looking for real examples of the work you did. Please note that evaluators have limited time to review your submission.

Step 4

• Upload your entry to Awards Force and submit payment
• You can upload your company logo and one client logo, if applicable (up to three logos maximum)

FAQ

What will disqualify entries?

• Entries are not submitted and paid for by the entry deadline
• Entry is submitted in wrong division or category
• Entry is incomplete or inaccurate
• Entry is not submitted online
• Work plan exceeds the page limit, is not clear or does not follow submission guidelines
• Work plan or work sample is missing or incomplete
• Work submitted is not your own.
• Failure to acknowledge key creative contributions
• Letter of permission is missing (if applicable – i.e., agencies submitting on behalf of a client must provide a letter of permission)

We do not want our work plan made public. Is there any way to keep this information private?

Yes. While entering online, you can choose the option to keep your entry private due to proprietary interests.

Do we have to disclose information regarding the budget?

Yes. If you do not provide budget information, you will be penalized in the marking process. Ensure you check the confidentiality box on the online site when submitting your entry. If you cannot provide exact budgets due to proprietary reasons, please provide an approximate budget.

If I have won in another IABC award program for the same submission, does it mean I will win automatically?

1. There is no guarantee of winning an OVATION Award. Each entry is judged against the specific category criteria.

Do the judges really pay attention to details such as the permitted margin size and the length of the work plan?

YES. If you get these details wrong, you will be disqualified.

What happens to the entries after the competition is completed?

All submissions will be deleted by June 30, 2025 by IABC/Toronto. Only those with permission are able to access the secure online management system.

Can I submit my entry in a binder or on a CD/DVD?

1. Submissions (work plans and work samples) will only be accepted through the online system.

I have several testimonial letters, but they mention the name of another awards program. Do I need to get authors to slightly “reword” these letters to mention OVATION Awards?

In your testimonial, you may insert ellipses (…) to acknowledge that the quote is not in full.

Must testimonial letters be signed?

Email testimonials are acceptable provided they are properly articulated and include the sender’s name, the date, etc. An electronic signature is acceptable.

Are winners able to purchase additional statues and plaques for team members?

Yes. Details on purchasing additional awards will be sent to winners as part of the Winner’s Package in March 2025.

How do I pay offline? I would like to pay by cheque.

Unfortunately, we can only accept online payments at the time of submission in the online award system.

I have become an IABC/Toronto member since I created my entry. Can I change my membership status to take advantage of the IABC member rate?

If you have created an entry and have not paid or submitted it, you can navigate to Entrant and update your membership information. The new rate will be reflected when you pay. Please note, a valid member ID is required for validation. If you have already paid and/or submitted your entry, please contact the IABC/Toronto office for information.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions about the IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards, our team would be happy to help! Email toronto-ovationawards@iabc.to