Videos, visuals and virtual events are essential when engaging busy—and often remote—audiences.
Videos and visuals have the power to connect with people on a uniquely emotional level. They captivate audiences and keep them coming back for more.
Virtual events are powerful platforms for engaging, educating and entertaining audiences, and keeping people connected, when in-person events are not an option.
Ragan’s Video, Visual & Virtual Awards will showcase your impressive visual content that told compelling stories and the virtual events that delivered results. Our awards program features 50 categories covering video, visual design and virtual event attributes and topics.
Share with us how your videos and visual designs grabbed audience attention—both internally and externally. What stories did they tell? How did they lead to success for your campaigns, projects or initiatives? What made them unique and special?
Let us know how your virtual events—internal or external—broke the status quo. How did you a deliver a unique experience to your audiences? What innovative features did you offer? What made your event stand out among the multitude of virtual events?
Enter more than one category to increase your chances of winning—and you’ll save on multiple submissions of the same campaign or project.
See a full list of categories and eligibility requirements, and read how to enter below.
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 reach him at 312-960-4407 or brendang@ragan.com
This year’s program is open to any work executed between May 1, 2019, and Aug. 21, 2020, inclusive.
Recognition
Each category winner will receive:
An elegant trophy: Display this shiny trophy for all to see. Go ahead, you've earned it.
Editorial & Social Media Coverage: You’ll be featured on Ragan’s web sites Ragan.com and PRDaily.com, on our social platforms and in our eletters, reaching more than 250,000 communicators and marketers.
Marketing & PR: Leverage your win in your marketing materials, press releases and other messaging.
Digital Badge: Add the Winners badge to your email signature and your web site.
Press release: We’ll provide you with a quote for your press release plus we’ll post your organization’s award release on our site to boost recognition.
CATEGORIES
FEATURED VIDEO CATEGORIES
COVID-19
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Social Justice
VIDEO CATEGORIES
Animated
Augmented or Virtual Reality
Documentary
Educational
Internal Communications
Interview
Live Video
Low-Budget ($300 - $3,000)
Nonprofit
Public Relations
Public Service
Recruitment or Employer Branding
Shoestring (Under $300)
Social Media
User-Generated Content
Video Series
VISUAL STORYTELLING CATEGORIES
Editing
Illustration or Animated Design
Infographic
Internal Communications Design
Photography
Print Design
VIRTUAL EVENTS CATEGORIES
Concert
Conference
Customer Engagement
Employee Engagement
Employee Meeting
Employee Recognition
Executive Communication
Health and Wellbeing
Immersive Experience
Onboarding
Presentation
Press Event
Product Demo
Recruiting
Town Hall
Training
Virtual Fundraising/Volunteering Program
Webinar
OTHER VIRTUAL EVENTS
Educational
Funny
Inspirational
Outlandish
Surprising
GRAND PRIZE
Best Overall Video
Video Team of the Year
Virtual Event of the Year
Visual Design of the Year
How To Enter
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 a maximum of 1,250 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, links, videos and URLs 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.
Supporting documents that can’t be uploaded to the system should be mailed to:
Brendan Gannon
Ragan Communications
10 S. LaSalle St., Suite 310
Chicago, IL 60603
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you apply?
Our award programs help you measure the success of your work and prove the value of your contributions to your organization. You can set yourself apart in the industry as an expert, which will open doors throughout your career. As a winner, you’ll earn publicity for your brand across our websites and social media audiences, a custom write-up about your campaign and certificates for winning work.Who can enter?
Entries may be submitted by organizations worldwide. The only requirement is that entries 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.What does it take to be a winner?
We look for top-quality work that shows clear, bold and creative ideas that benefit your business or client. Please provide metrics or media coverage that back up 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. We encourage you to submit the same campaign to multiple categories, if you feel they are relevant. Doing so increases your chances of winning. You'll also save on multiple submissions of the same campaign or project.Why are some deadlines extended?
We extend deadlines based on applicant needs and upcoming promotional opportunities.When will I find out results?
We try to announce a list of finalists six to eight weeks after the close of the program. The announcement of the winners comes about three to four weeks after the announcement of the finalists. Each announcement will be made with a headline on our website, in our daily email newsletter and on our social media platforms. Emails notify entrants of these announcements. As deadlines are extended, so are expected announcement dates.Additional Questions
If you have any questions about the program or problems submitting your entry, please call Brendan Gannon at 312-960-4407 or email brendan@ragan.com.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in sponsoring one of Ragan Communications’ award programs, please contact Hannah Lavelle at 312-960-4628 or email hannahl@ragan.com.
Ragan Communications is not responsible for international shipping fees related to Winner trophies.