Anvil Awards

Join us as we proudly celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Anvil Awards in 2025! The Anvils have set the standard for industry excellence, and have long been considered the icon of the profession and the benchmark of outstanding performance in public relations. Silver Anvil Awards single out the best strategic public relations campaigns of the year, as well as outstanding organizational excellence. Bronze Anvil Awards recognize outstanding public relations tactics that contribute to the success of overall programs or campaigns.

Video highlights from the 2023 Anvil Awards Ceremony at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

SILVER ANVIL STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN AWARDS

1. COMMUNITY RELATIONS
1A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations
1B. Government
1C. Business
Includes programs that aim to improve relations with, or seek to win the support or cooperation of, people or organizations in communities in which the sponsoring organization has an interest, need or opportunity. “Community” in this category refers to a specific geographic location or locations.

2. CONTENT MARKETING
2A. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
2B. Business to Business
2C. Business to Consumer
Programs that effectively demonstrate a strategic program that includes creating and distributing valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage target audience(s). Include examples and metrics.

3. CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
Includes programs undertaken to deal with an unplanned event that required an immediate response.

4. EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES
4A. More Than Seven Days
4AA. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
4AB. Business
4B. Seven Or Fewer Days
4BA. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
4BB. Business
Includes virtual or in-person programs or events, such as commemorations, observances, conferences, openings, yearlong anniversaries, celebrations or other special activities. Events that took place for longer than a one-week period should be entered in “4A. More Than Seven Days” and events occurring within a time span of one week should be entered in “4B. Seven Or Fewer Days.”

5. FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Includes programs directed to shareowners, other investors and the investment community; includes communication programs related to decentralized currencies.

6. GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Includes any type of program, such as Reputation/Brand Management, Marketing or Events and Observances, that demonstrates effective global communications implemented in more than one country.

7. INFLUENCER MARKETING
7A. Macro-Influencers
7B. Micro-Influencers
Macro-influencers: Celebrities, executives, bloggers, and journalists who have 10,000–1M followers. They have the highest topical relevance on the spectrum, with category-specific influence – such as lifestyle, fashion or business.
Micro-influencers: Everyday consumers or employees or industry experts who have 500–10,000 followers. They have the highest brand relevance and resonance on the spectrum of influencers, with influence driven by their personal experience and strength of relationship with their networks.

8. INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS
8A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations
8B. Government
8C. Business to Business
8D. Consumer Products
8E. Consumer Services
Includes creative and effective integrated campaigns, along with other marketing or communications including paid, earned, shared and owned efforts. Demonstrate the meaningful PR/communications components and how they integrated with other disciplines.

9. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
9A. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
9B. Business
Includes programs targeted specifically to special publics directly allied with an organization, such as employees, members, affiliated dealers and franchisees.

10. ISSUES MANAGEMENT
For programs undertaken to deal with issues that could extraordinarily affect ongoing business strategy.

11. MARKETING
11A. Business to Business
11B. Consumer Products – Regional Focus
11C. Consumer Products – National/International Focus
11D. Consumer Services
Includes programs designed to introduce new products/services or promote existing products/services to a particular audience.

12. MOST EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN ON A $5,000 TO $10,000 BUDGET
Effective campaign delivered within parameters of a limited budget. This does not include staff time and overhead.

13. MOST EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET ($5,000 OR LESS)
Successful campaign despite constraints of a small budget. This does not include staff time and overhead.

14. MOST EFFECTIVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION (DEI) CAMPAIGN
Efforts devoted to promoting inclusivity and/or dismantling discrimination for racial, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation and gender differences.

15. CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
This honors excellence in energy efficiency, natural resources, programs and campaigns that limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste and contamination, protect and restore ecosystems, and contribute to the adaptation to climate change.

16. CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
This celebrates campaigns and programs that ignite individuals, technology, and partnerships to create positive impact for society at the local, national or international level; including but not limited to areas such as poverty, hunger, housing, health and well-being, climate, equity, education, and human rights.

17. MULTICULTURAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
For any type of program, such as institutional, marketing and community relations, specifically targeted to a cultural group.

18. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Includes programs specifically designed to influence public policy and/or affect legislation, regulations, political activities or candidacies — at the local, state or federal government levels — so that the entity funding the program benefits.

19. PUBLIC SERVICE
19A. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
19B. Business
19C. Partnerships (Funded jointly by businesses and other organizations, including nonprofit and government)
Includes programs that advance public understanding of societal issues, problems or concerns.

20. REPUTATION/BRAND MANAGEMENT
20A. Associations/Government/Nonprofit Organizations
20B. Business
Programs designed to enhance, promote or improve the reputation of an organization with its publics or key elements of its publics, either proactively or in response to an issue, event or market occurrence.

BEST OF SILVER ANVIL

A Best of Silver Anvil Award recipient is selected from among the year’s Silver Anvil Strategic Campaign Award winners. The Best of Silver Anvil winner represents the pinnacle of excellence in public relations programming and demonstrates public relations’ strategic value and ability to drive critical business outcomes.

SILVER ANVIL ORGANIZATIONAL AWARDS

1. BEST IN-HOUSE TEAM
1A. Associations/Nonprofit Organizations
1B. Government
1C. Business (Budget less than $5M)
1D. Business (Budget of $5M or More)
A public relations/public affairs/communications team that demonstrates excellence in public relations.

2. BEST AGENCY
2A. Best Boutique Agency (Revenue less than $5M)
2B. Best Small Agency (Revenue $5M - $20M)
2C. Best Mid-Sized Agency (Revenue $20M - 75M)
2D. Best Large Agency (Revenue $75M - $200M)
2E. Best Mega Agency (Revenue Over $200M)
An agency team that demonstrates excellence in public relations.

3. BEST SOLUTION PROVIDER/VENDOR
3A. Media Monitoring
3B. AI-Automation Resource
3C. Media Database and Intelligence
3D. Analytics
A PR/comms solution provider/vendor that demonstrates how its tool/platform is best in class and the meaningful impacts it has delivered for its clients and the industry.

4. ORGANIZATION WITH THE MOST IMPACTFUL DEI PROGRAM
4A. Agency
4B. In-House
A team focused on shaping and implementing effective diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for its organization or company. These meaningful efforts have led to a more supportive, rewarding working environment for all.

5. BEST COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT
5A. Undergraduate Program
5B. Graduate Program
A college/university team that is best preparing the next generation of communication practitioners through an innovative curriculum, high standards for student success and placement assistance.

6. BEST AI INTEGRATION AND DIGITAL INNOVATIONS
6A. In-House
6B. Agency
Demonstrate the exceptional creativity, effectiveness, and ingenuity in leveraging digital innovations, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to revolutionize your organization’s PR/comms strategies and results. Provide examples of the successful implementation of AI-driven technologies that have significantly enhanced visibility, engagement, efficiencies and overall PR performance.

BRONZE ANVIL TACTICAL AWARDS

PAID:

1. PAID PROMOTIONS
Use of sponsorships, paid placements, or other marketing communications tactics that complement a broader public relations strategy or approach and generate exceptional ROI. These efforts should be targeted and strategic, and ultimately demonstrate a distinct purpose that aligns with the goals of an overview campaign or specific desired outcome.

EARNED:

2. MEDIA RELATIONS
2A. Associations/ Nonprofit Organizations
2B. Government
2C. Business-To-Business
2D. Consumer Products
2DA. Non-Packaged Goods
2DB. Packaged Goods
2E. Consumer Services
Tactics, programs and events driven entirely by media relations. Submit press releases, media advisories, pitch letters, requests for coverage, etc., along with the one-page summary that includes measurable objectives and results, including media impact. Upload or provide YouTube/Vimeo links to any television or radio coverage. The Non-Packaged Goods subcategory refers to consumer products, such as clothing, appliances, furniture, etc. The Packaged Goods subcategory refers to traditional consumer products sold in packages, such as food products, pet products, household goods, toiletries, cosmetics, etc.

3. FEATURE STORIES
Feature articles that have been written by a practitioner and submitted and published through his/her efforts. Submit text of feature article, as well as documentation of publication and placement. The one-page summary should include target audience, measurable objectives and any documented results. Articles must be written in their entirety or substantively by the entrant, and not merely “pitched.”

4. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Positioning of an executive at any level across earned, owned, and share platforms. The one-page summary should include information about the executive and stated objectives, quantification of results as well as copies of significant placements, social media, posts or memos.

SHARED:

5. SOCIAL MEDIA
5A. Single Channel Use
5B. Multichannel Use
How did you use social media to tell a story or connect with an audience? Share screenshots of links to your work and provide detailed results focusing on engagement and conversions, where applicable.

6. INFLUENCER MARKETING
Tactic that focuses on using paid spokespeople and key leaders to increase awareness and drive your brand's message to the larger market. Include details of achievements/benchmarks on how the spokesperson met/exceeded campaign goals.

7. BEST USE OF AI
7A. Direct Audience Engagement
7B. Media Relations
7C. Social Media
Demonstrate how AI played a pivotal role in successfully driving or enhancing traditional tactical efforts within a campaign. Provide examples of tools used and results from their use.

OWNED:

8. DIGITAL PLATFORM
Did you launch or substantially enhance a digital platform? How was it launched and how much risk was involved in your marketing plan? What value did the end user receive and how did it specifically match goals? Include metrics and benchmarks. This entry can be completed by a vendor or the customer.

9. DATA INSIGHTS
The use of data or research in a program to inform a communications strategy and/or message development. Demonstrate how the insights were acquired and applied.

10. WEBSITES
Use of a website as part of a communications or content marketing program. Include screen grabs or copies of key pages to support your one-page summary. Additionally, include the website URL for external sites and how the site met or exceeded your communications benchmarks.

11. NON-TRADITIONAL TACTICS
Innovative, unconventional, creative tactics or approaches used as part of a public relations program. Documentation of how the tactic specifically contributed to the measurable results of the campaign should be included in the one-page summary. (Photographic and/or video representation of any physical objects should be uploaded to be fully considered in this category.)

12. ANNUAL REPORTS
Publications that report on an organization’s annual performance. Upload a sample of one copy of the publication, along with a one-page summary.

13. BLOGS/VLOGS
Web-based journals, or blogs, that communicated to a target audience. The one-page summary should include rationale for blogging strategy, target audiences and statistics, or other means of quantifiable measurement to support stated objectives. Screen downloads of the blog being entered, as well as the actual site URL, must be submitted as part of the story.

14. NEWSLETTERS
Publications – digital or print – designed, written and published/distributed periodically to provide brief and timely information to target audiences while supporting an organization’s overall objectives. Upload samples of three consecutive issues, along with a one-page summary including goals and results.

15. SINGLE-ISSUE PUBLICATIONS
Single-issue publications designed for a special purpose. Books and other publications not eligible for consideration in other categories should be entered here. Upload a sample of one copy of the publication along with the one-page summary including goals and results.

16. MAGAZINES
Publications designed to provide in-depth information about an organization or topic on a regular basis (Print, digital only and both will be considered). Magazines typically differentiate from newsletters by the number of pages and length of articles. Upload samples of three consecutive issues along with the one-page summary including goals and results.

17. VIDEO
Produced videos to inform target audiences of an event, brand, product, service, issue or organization. The one-page summary should include usage statistics or other means of quantified measurement to support stated objectives.

18. BRANDED CONTENT
Use of content generation to promote a particular brand which funds the content's production. Upload samples along with the one-page summary including goals and results.

19. PODCASTS
How did you tell your story – was the purpose to teach or share? Was it intended for internal or external audiences and was there engagement on multiple platforms? Provide goals, results and listener feedback.

Need Help Preparing Your Entry?

Visit the Awards page of the PRSA website, where you can:

• Access our database of Anvil Award-winning case studies in the categories you wish to enter to use as a benchmark (currently only Silver Anvil Strategic case studies are available online).
• Join the Anvil conversation on social using hashtag #PRSAAnvils.
• Email us at awards@prsa.org. We will answer your questions or connect you with someone who can provide further guidance on preparing your Anvil entry.

Entries become the property of PRSA. The decisions of the judges are final.

Turning Your Triumphs into Trophies:
Practical Tips for Creating Winning Award Entries

Co-facilitated by PRSA Honors and Awards Committee leaders: Michael Gross, APR, President of AKCG – Public Relations Counselors, and Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA, President of McDougall Communications. (Video starts a few minutes into presentation, and you hear the presenters repeat the audience questions and their answers at the end.)

Click here to view an informative interview with the 2023 Best of Silver Anvil Award winners — Bryan Garner, senior director of marketing and communications, Florida Power & Light Company, and Sandra Ericson, APR, executive vice president of rbb Communications.

In this virtual master class on crisis communications, the recipients discussed their comprehensive campaign, “A Sound Response to a Record-Setting Storm: FPL Gets the Lights Back On After Hurricane Ian,” with Strategies & Tactics Editor-in-Chief John Elsasser.

SILVER ANVIL ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD SUBMISSION
GUIDELINES & TIPS

• Best In-House Team Submission Requirements:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the business/organization and a detailed description of outstanding accomplishments/strategic benchmarks within the award program timeframe. Differentiate the role of the in-house team from any externally employed resources (e.g., agencies). Submitting teams should include examples of measurable impact on their organization; how they dealt with challenges; how they developed creative or innovative programs; how they influenced behavioral or attitudinal change among their target audiences; and/or how they foster a positive working culture.
• Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies.
• Number of employees on the team and annual public relations budget (including staffing costs).

 

• Best Agency Submission Requirements:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the agency, its offerings, and a detailed description of outstanding accomplishments/strategic benchmarks within the award-program timeframe. Submitting agencies should include examples of measurable impact for their clients; how they dealt with challenges; how they developed creative or innovative programs; how they influenced behavioral or attitudinal change among their clients’ target audiences; and/or how they foster a positive working culture.
• Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies.
• Number of employees at the agency and annual revenue.
• A client list from the past 12 months, including tenure. Uploaded as a one-page PDF.

 

• Organization with the Most Impactful DEI Program Submission Requirements:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the team leading these efforts and a detailed description of the programs, practices, and/or initiatives this team has instituted to bring about positive DEI change. Submissions can include examples of new resources for diverse employees/customers/recruits (language translations, sharing forums, etc.); internal programming to drive DEI progress; and/or how these efforts will advance DEI outside their organization. Share future plans, if any, to continue to build upon the success and drive DEI principles among the team.
• Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Silver Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies.

 

• Best College/University Communication Program/Department Submission Requirements:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the education institution and a description of outstanding accomplishments within the last 12 months. Submissions should include examples of how the team is equipping students for job readiness; metrics related to admissions, graduation trends, first-year employment data, internship placement, and other related measurable results; as well as examples of academic achievements and other stand-out successes.
• Other Requirements:
• The College/University must have a PRSSA chapter.
• The College/University must hold a Certificate in Education for Academic Programs in Public Relations (CEPR).
• Number of educators on the team, detailed by full-time faculty, part-time lecturers, and adjunct faculty as well as the faculty’s PRSA involvement.

 

• Best Solution Provider/Vendor:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the company and the service(s) it provides. A detailed description as to how these services are both (a) first in class, through customer service, comprehensiveness, and/or other distinct qualities, and (b) tailored to support the communication industry.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from customers/clients in support of your company's award submission.

 

• Best AI Integration and Digital Innovations:
• Two Page Summary: An overview of the business/organization and a detailed description of the exceptional creativity, effectiveness, and ingenuity in leveraging digital innovations, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to revolutionize the organization’s PR/comms strategies and results. Provide examples of the successful implementation of AI-driven technologies that have significantly enhanced visibility, engagement, efficiencies, and overall PR performance.
• Case Study Upload: Two brief case studies or examples (each 500 words or fewer). Current Anvil submissions can be included instead of case studies.