Blacksmith Awards 2026
The Blacksmith Awards, presented by the Cincinnati chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, honor the best of the Cincinnati region’s public relations community, from talented, experienced practitioners to stellar work that has local, national and international impact.
Review full rubrics of judging criteria for each category, which will be used to determine this year’s winners.
The portal is now OPEN
Congratulations to all of our 2025 winners! You can view the full list of winners here.
Get all the details and answers to frequently asked questions to help prepare and submit your Blacksmith Award entry.
Learn more about sponsorship packages and opportunities to support the PRSA Blacksmith Awards.
Submit Your Entries for the 2026 Blacksmith Awards
The Blacksmith Awards are open to all public relations professionals in the Greater Cincinnati area. If the work was conducted by an organization out of the area for an in-town client, it is also eligible. Entrants must submit original work or work they directly supervised. Entries must be for work produced/managed in the Greater Cincinnati area from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Important Dates for 2026
Entry portal is now open.
Early Entry deadline (discount rate) - Friday, August 28.
Regular entry deadline- Monday, September 14
Late Entry Deadline (Late fee) - Friday, September 18.
Finalists announced - Wednesday, October 21.
Congratulations to all of our 2025 winners! You can view the full list of winners here.
The 2026 Blacksmith Awards will be presented and honored at the Chapter Banquet, Thursday, November 19, 2026.
Please save the date in your calendar. Apple Google Office 365 Outlook Yahoo
Blacksmith Awards Sponsors
Sponsorships available now. Please contact us for more details.
Use this link to view sponsorship packet
PRESENTING
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
PRESENTING SPONSOR $1,500
Premier recognition in print, online and at event “Presented by ____”
Digital Marketing
- Recognition on the chapter’s website (average of 1,800 visits/month)
- Promotion on the Blacksmith Awards entry platform
- Recognition on chapter social media channels
- Logo placement on online registration page
In-Person Engagement
- Welcome address at Chapter Banquet
- One complimentary table – equaling 8 to 10 tickets – at the event
- Opportunity to place one promo item at each table at the event
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Logo placement in event program
- Signage displayed at the event
- Two tickets to future PRSA programs (restrictions apply) for use in 2026
Platinum Sponsor $1000
Digital Marketing
- Recognition on the chapter’s website (average of 1,800 visits/month)
- Recognition on chapter social media channels
- Logo placement on online registration page
In-Person Engagement
- Four complimentary tickets to the event
- Full-page ad in the event program
- Signage displayed at the event
- Logo placement in event program
Gold Sponsor - $500
Digital Marketing
- Recognition on the chapter’s website (average of 1,800 visits/month)
- Recognition on chapter social media channels
In-Person Engagement
- Two complimentary tickets to the event
- Quarter-page ad in the event program
- Logo placement in event program
SILVER SPONSOR - $250
Digital Marketing
- Recognition on the chapter’s website (average of 1,800 visits/month)
- Recognition on chapter social media channels
In-Person Engagement
- One complimentary ticket to the event
- Logo placement in event program
Tips For Submitting A Winning Blacksmith Award Entry
2026 BLACKSMITH AWARDS INFO SESSION
Hear from Blacksmith Awards Co-Chair Helen Tracey-Noren and Lexi McCoy about the this year’s awards. You’ll also find helpful tips about how you can turn a year's worth of hard work into award-winning entries.
MACKENZIE PIERCE'S ENTRY TIPS
Don’t forget, it’s all about the metrics! Mackenzie Pierce of Ohio National Financial Services describes what you need for your award-winning entry.
DREW BOEHMKER’S ENTRY TIPS
Never underestimate the importance of a good proofreader. Drew Boehmker, Senior Account Executive at Scooter Media, shares his best Blacksmith Awards entry advice.
MAUREEN RICHMOND’S ENTRY TIPS
Check out this tip from Maureen Richmond, VP of Integrated Communications at Bon Secours Mercy Health and a 2018 Blacksmith Award recipient, on how to prepare a winning entry.
ALLISON SCHROEDER’S ENTRY TIPS
There’s one simple suggestion that will help you prepare an award-worthy entry. Hear from Allison Schroeder, Founder and Lead Strategist at Pomme Communications and 2018 Blacksmith Award recipient.
Blogs
Why enter your work for a Blacksmith award?
07/24/2026
Here we are in the dog-days of summer, and yet our November awards banquet is right around the corner. Alright, so the banquet isn’t right around the corner, but the deadline to submit an entry is. The entry portal is now open.
Read More ►2026 Blacksmiths Committee
Thank you to our 2026 Blacksmith Awards committee, who are actively working to bring you this year’s program!
Helen Tracey-Noren
Co-Chair
Lexi McCoy
Co-Chair
Courtney Russell
Annie Winegardner
Ainsley MacDougal
