We asked our judging panel for some of their top tips and key factors that entrants should consider when completing their entry forms. Factors that will help them to create a winning entry and stand out from the rest! Here they are...

Key tips that will help you create a winning entry!

• If you are entering into categories that require the campaign results, such as 'The Most Viral Campaign Award' please supply the actual numbers to back up the results achieved, and not just the percentage figure. It is hard to judge a piece of work on percentages alone.

• Be sure to include measurable objectives and benchmarks for success. Without these, we are unable to accurately assess the results and the efficiency of the campaign. This includes putting in your budget – even if the budget is R0.00, we need to know that. Rest assured, the figure will be kept completely confidential and will not be published.

• Customise your entry to the category into which it is entered. Give the judges a reason why you deserve to win that particular category. Lots of entrants submit the same entry across multiple categories; which is perfectly acceptable, but when judging we consider the merits of the entry according to the specific category. The information that you would need to provide for “Best use of Technical Innovation” would need to be different from, say, “Best Low Budget Campaign” Highlight the important parts that relate to each category, being entered into.

• Don’t assume that the readers have prior knowledge of your campaign. Write a succinct summary, providing all relevant information. And please, make sure that you proofread your entry!

• Please note that if you wish to submit an entry for the 2021 awards that was previously submitted in 2020, please show any significant changes made to the campaign that have affected the overall outcome and results in 2021. (All changes must be identified and highlighted on the entry form attached)

• Quantifiable, measurable objectives need to be identified, and evidence provided that these had been met or exceeded

• The entries that address all the judging criteria, are creative and go beyond standard practice – developing into something magical – make for award-winners

• Please ensure that the project you are entering meets required category objectives, and is not just a “copy-and-paste job” across multiple categories. Again; if you are entering the same campaign across multiple categories, highlight the important parts that apply to each category being entered into.

• Entry submissions should not be long and confusing. Try to give relevant and clear points that apply to each campaign and limit the accompanying documents, PowerPoints and videos – be more in sync with answering the brief requirement for that particular award

• Make sure that the response mentions why it should win that particular award. e.g. Why was it a “best in class” Technical Innovation campaign, and what were the elements?

• Show articulated results for short-, medium-and long-term goals, and/or return on investment for the client. Supporting evidence helps tremendously when judges are marking the work

• Make sure your entry is well written – STAND OUT, be clear, spell-check and be concise about why it’s been entered

• Winning campaigns will need to show on-strategy creative execution that displays a clear link between the original business objectives and the outcomes enabled by the work

Important Points:

All work flighted between 01 May 2020 and 01 June 2021 can be entered this year.

Should you be working on a campaign that is due to go live before 30 June 2021 and you wish to enter this campaign (provided the results can be supplied in time) it will be accepted, as it falls within our final entry deadline date.

Entries are officially open. For more details please visit www.newgenawards.co.za

All the very best with this year's entries...