
RECOGNITION
EACH CATEGORY WINNER WILL RECEIVE:






Ragan’s Employee Communications Awards honors the campaigns, communicators and teams that define today’s employee experience—from the messages they craft to the cultures they help build.
This is where the most impactful work in internal communications takes center stage. From compelling storytelling and leadership messaging to meaningful workplace culture initiatives, this program recognizes the work that shaping organizations from the inside out.
Whether it’s a company-wide culture campaign, communication that informs and inspires, an employee app that’s changing how teams connect or a rewards program that’s boosting morale, these are the efforts that deserve the spotlight.
Categories span internal communications, employee engagement, workplace culture, video, technology, team strategies and more. If your initiative improved the employee experience, it belongs here.
Finalists and winners will be honored at a special event in early 2026. Submit your best work and showcase how your organization puts employees first.
CATEGORIES
GRAND PRIZE
Best Overall Intranet
Best In-Office Work Experience/Culture
Best Remote Work Experience/Culture
Employee Communications Campaign of the Year
Employee Communications Professional of the Year
Employee Communications Team of the Year
COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS/INITIATIVES
AI-Powered Internal Communications
Alignment with External Communications
Annual Report
Article Series
Benefits Communication
Blog
Change Communication
Community Relations
Crisis Response
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Email Communication
Employee Advocacy Program
Employee E-Letters
Employee Retention
Employee-Generated Content
Employer Branding
Executive/Leadership Communication
Feature Article
HR Communication
Hybrid Communication Strategy
Innovation in Internal Communications
Internal Branding Campaign
Internal Email
Magazine
Manager Communication
Measurement and Data
Mission and Values Communication
Newsletter
Partnership with Human Resources
Podcast
Rebranding
Recruitment
Social Justice Communication
Social Media
Speechwriting
Storytelling
Sustainability Communication/Initiatives
Visual Storytelling
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE CAMPAIGNS/INITIATIVES
Amazing Workplace Culture
Brand Ambassador Program
Burnout Busters
DE&I Commitment
Employee Learning & Development
Employee Engagement
Employee Recognition or Reward Program
Employee Resource Groups
Employee Volunteer Program
Employee Wellbeing Program
Internal Event Strategy
Onboarding Strategy
Return-to-Office Strategy
Talent Management Strategy
Total Rewards Program
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
AI – Use of
Employee App
HR Tool/Service
Intranet
REMOTE CULTURE CAMPAIGNS/INITIATIVES
Virtual Employee Engagement
Virtual Events/Celebrations
Virtual Executive Communication
Virtual Onboarding
Virtual Town Hall
Virtual Well-Being Programs
Other
VIDEO CAMPAIGNS/INITIATIVES
Company Overview Video
Cultural Diversity Video
Humorous Video
Informational Video
Inspirational Video
Interview Video
Intranet Video
Leadership Video
Recruitment Video
HOW TO ENTER
- Choose the category or categories that best fit your work.
- Complete the online entry form.
- Add your entry or entries to your cart and complete the submission process.
- That’s it.
Awards Criteria
On the entry form, be sure to include a thorough synopsis explaining the purpose and scope of your project. We ask that the synopsis be 350-900 words and include the following sub-headings (when applicable):
- Goals
- Strategy and tactics
- Execution
- Evaluation: success, results or ROI
Be sure to follow the guidelines laid out in the category descriptions, as the judges will look for those elements when they select the winners.
You will be able to upload additional documents to your submission. We encourage you to include press releases, design concepts, videos, analytics, testimonials and anything else you feel will give us a better sense of your project. Proprietary or internal information can also be attached and will not be shared with the public.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
These awards are open to in-house, agency and independent communication practitioners in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. Enter your work, the work of your organization or submit entries on behalf of your client.
Companies from around the world are welcome to enter as long as the entry is submitted in English.
Contact Brendan Gannon to find the perfect category for your campaign or project. You can email him at [email protected] or call 312-960-4407.
This year’s program is open to any work executed between Sept. 1, 2024, and Sept. 26, 2025, inclusive.
ENTRY FEES
The fee for this program is $550 per entry into standard categories, and $600 per entry into Awards of Distinction categories.
A late fee of $325 per entry will be added to all entries received after 11:59 p.m. Central time, September 19, 2025.
Do you have a campaign or project you'd like to enter into multiple categories? Pay the original entry fee, and then only $250 for each additional category!
All entries are non-returnable and non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
- Shine a Light on Impactful Work: Winning a Social Media & Digital Award highlights your team’s creativity and expertise, showcasing your work to top leaders across the communications field.
- Gain Meaningful Recognition: Being named a finalist or winner elevates your organization's standing as a leader in employee communications and engagement—earning the respect of peers, leaders, job candidates and the industry at large.
- Celebrate What Sets You Apart: Whether it’s a powerful campaign, a transformative program or a team effort that made a real difference, this is your moment to honor what makes your organization exceptional.
WHO CAN ENTER THESE AWARDS?
Entries may be submitted by organizations worldwide. Entries must be submitted in English. The program is open to in-house, agency, independent communication practitioners and vendors in the private, corporate, nonprofit and government sectors.CAN I ENTER TWO OR MORE CATEGORIES?
YES! In fact, we encourage you to submit your applications in multiple categories. Each category is judged discreetly, and discounted pricing applies to your second category and beyond. This also increases your chances of winning.WHAT DO THE JUDGES LOOK FOR IN ENTRIES?
Judges look for top-quality work that shows clear, bold and creative ideas that benefit your business or client. Please provide metrics or results that support your claims, and share creative collateral such as videos, visual design or websites that were a part of your project. Please look at our past award winners to see what gets recognized and rewarded.WHY ARE SOME DEADLINES EXTENDED?
We extend deadlines based on applicant needs and upcoming promotional opportunities.WHEN WILL I FIND OUT RESULTS?
Ragan will recognize all finalists—and announce category winners—at a special live event in early 2026. Finalists will be announced in winter 2025.Additional Questions
If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please email Brendan Gannon at [email protected].
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Morgan Einspanier at [email protected].
Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to trophies or certificates.