Blacksmith FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the deadline to enter? 

Early deadline is Sunday, August 31 (early registration)

Regular deadline is Friday, September 12

Final deadline: Friday, September 19 (late registration)

Deadlines are applied based on the last time an entry was edited. Making any edits after a deadline will update to reflect the full price at the time you save your changes. All entries must be complete and submitted on September 19 – we will not accept any entries after this time. Please also note entries are not considered submitted until you have completed the checkout process.

How many pages are required for the entry summaries?
For Campaign categories, summaries may be up to two 8.5x11 pages long. For all other categories, summaries are restricted to up to one 8.5x11 page. The focus of the summary should be on the information provided as opposed to trying to fill every inch. Be sure to check out all the eligibility requirements for entries.

When will finalists be notified?

We plan to notify entry contacts on the status of their applications in mid-October.

What does it mean to be a finalist?

Any entry that achieves a minimum average score of 80 is an award finalist. The Blacksmith goes to the highest scoring entry over 90 points in a particular category.

When will the Blacksmith Awards be presented?

The Blacksmith Awards will be presented as part of the Cincinnati PRSA Chapter-wide Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at The Ventura in Norwood.  Stay tuned for more details.

Are there any new categories this year?

Reverting to OpenWater allows us to offer more categories in alignment with Nationals. That includes Best Use of AI, Corporate Citizenship and others. 

Check out the Categories page for a complete listing. Those which have subcategories are noted in the category’s description.

How are the entries scored?

To understand how your entries will be judged and scored, check out the appropriate judging rubric below:

Campaign Category Rubric

Tactics Category Rubric

Professional and Team Category Rubrics

How are the rubrics determined?

The rubrics are aligned with PRSA national’s awards standards and based upon the RPIE process (Research-Planning-Implementation-Evaluation). This is the foundation of proper communication planning. If you are able to answer these questions, it walks you through the process:

1)    Why did you need to need to do the campaign/tactic?

2)    What did you outline to do?

3)    How did you do it?

4)    What were the results? or Why was the campaign/tactic a success?

Is there a special secret formula or process to follow in creating a winning entry?

As for a particular process in going about creating the entry, you would probably get as many different answers as the number of people you ask. But no matter the process, the secret sauce is understanding and following the rubrics. That is what the judges use to score the entries by.

One tip however, is don’t assume the judges know what you are talking about. Referencing local Cincinnati areas/issues that are common knowledge here is not necessarily known to judges from other chapters around the nation. This year, PRSA San Antonio Chapter is judging our entries. You need to make sure those judges will understand things of local significance as needed.

Is there a required amount of supporting materials? 

No. Please note, some categories may have individual requirements for supporting materials. Follow the judging criteria for the specific category. Supporting materials (unless it is a required item) are not judged, but help you tell your entry’s story. You may submit up to 10 if you desire.

What are our payment options?

You can pay online at the time of submission with a credit card or offline with a check. Choose the PayPal Express Checkout option to pay by credit card (or via a PayPal account).  If you are paying by check, please note the instructions for preparing the check and where to send it. Please send an email to [email protected] letting us know you mailed a check.   For questions about payments, please email [email protected].

How do I know you received my payment?

For those paying online, you should receive a confirmation email, which can be used as your receipt. If you are mailing a check, once it has been received, we will process your payment, and you will receive a confirmation by email at that time.  For questions about payments, please email [email protected].

Is my online payment secure?

Yes. When you go through the payment process, you are directed to PayPal to complete your payment. PayPal uses some of the highest online payment security available. To see more on PayPal payment security for buyers, click here.

How do I know my discounts will be properly applied, and can I see where it was applied?

Your cart is set up to show the appropriate charges depending on when you are checking out. The costs per entry are as follows:

If you feel the system is charging you an incorrect price, please email [email protected] with your concern. You will receive a detailed response after we review your account.

I’m no longer with an organization but did a fantastic campaign/tactic; can I still compete for a Blacksmith?

It depends on whether your organization is already doing so. If not, there is nothing that prohibits you from doing so. You would want to reach out to your former organization as a courtesy. Besides, you may need to reach back for their help with some information to include in the entry. And, who knows, maybe they will even support paying for it.

What is the difference between New Digital Platforms and Best Use of Social Platforms categories?

While these may seem like the same, the difference comes in their focus.

The focus of New Digital Platforms goes beyond social media. It could include starting a blog program, creating a new web platform or creating a new social media presence. No matter the digital tactic, it should be a completely new program/effort and the entry should discuss things like why it was launched, how it was launched and the results/value of launching it.

The focus of Best Use of Social Platforms are specifically tied to social media platforms. What was the platform, why was it chosen, and how did it tell the story are key things to address in the entry. Of course, results are important as well.

Are there any recommendations for those entering for the first time?

While there are many ways to tackle putting together an entry, one process to consider would be:

-       Don’t just jump in writing; first, sit down and think through the campaign or tactic you are considering.

-       Jot down and outline the entire process you went through, breaking it out into Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation.

-       Gather the information you need to support what you’ve outlined.

-       Review the appropriate scoring rubric to see if you are missing anything; adjust accordingly.

-       Draft your entry; after your initial draft is done, step away for a moment.

-       Allow someone else to review your draft, or if unable, review it after you have taken a break.

-       Determine if you need any supporting materials; gather/prepare as needed.

-       Polish up your entry based on your or others review; review one last time to ensure you are ready.

-       Submit!

Who will be judging the Blacksmiths?

The PRSA San Antonio Chapter will be judging our awards this year.