Call for Entries Deadline: April 17, 2026

The peak of communications excellence

The Zenith Awards recognize the most exceptional communications, PR and marketing work in the industry today. Presented by Ragan and its Communications Week brand, this program honors excellence across the full spectrum of communications, celebrating strategies, campaigns, leaders and teams that deliver real impact and lasting influence.

Unlike traditional awards programs, the Zenith Awards are uniquely designed to recognize both internal and external communications work. From employee engagement and executive messaging to high-impact external campaigns and integrated strategies, Ragan’s Zenith Awards reflects how communications truly operates in today’s organizations.

This program celebrates work that builds trust, strengthens culture, protects reputation and drives engagement across every audience that matters. Whether your efforts supported change, shaped perception or delivered measurable results, our Zenith Awards honors communications that set the standard for excellence.

Finalists will be recognized, and winners revealed, at a live awards celebration in November. If your work represents the peak of communications excellence, this is where it belongs.

CATEGORIES

CAMPAIGNS & INITIATIVES

 AI – Use of

This category spotlights campaigns that used artificial intelligence to enhance communications strategy or execution. Entries may include, but are not limited to, but are not limited to AI-driven content creation, analysis, personalization or operational efficiencies that supported measurable outcomes.

 Annual Report

This category recognizes annual reports that clearly communicate an organization’s performance, priorities and impact. Eligible entries may include print, digital or interactive reports, integrated financial and ESG reporting, or microsite-based annual report experiences.

 Brand Storytelling

Campaigns in this category crafted compelling brand narratives to engage audiences and strengthen brand identity. Eligible entries may include internal, external or integrated storytelling initiatives across platforms and channels.

 Branded Content

Content initiatives in this category seamlessly integrated brand messaging while engaging audiences. Entries may encompass a range of efforts, such as campaigns where storytelling, creativity and brand alignment were central to success.

 Change Communications

This category honors communications strategies that guided organizations and stakeholders through significant change. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, internal or external efforts tied to transformation, restructuring, mergers or strategic shifts.

 Community Relations

Initiatives in this category strengthened relationships between organizations and their communities. Eligible work may include local, regional or global programs focused on engagement, partnership or trust-building.

 Content Marketing

This category recognizes content-driven campaigns designed to attract, engage and retain target audiences. Eligible entries may include ongoing programs or campaigns where content strategy, consistency and audience value were key to success.

 Creative Content

This category highlights imaginative and original content created to engage audiences and support communications or marketing goals. This category may include a range of efforts, such as creative executions across digital, social, experiential or mixed media formats.

 Crisis Communications

This category honors communications efforts that effectively managed and responded to crises. Examples of eligible work include, but are not limited to, preparedness, rapid response, recovery or post-crisis communications designed to protect reputation and stakeholder trust.

 CSR

This category recognizes communications campaigns that demonstrated a commitment to corporate social responsibility and positive social impact. This category is open to work including initiatives focused on community engagement, philanthropy or purpose-driven storytelling.

 Digital Communications

This category recognizes innovative digital strategies that engaged audiences and supported communications goals. Eligible entries may include campaigns or efforts where digital channels played a primary role in execution and impact.

 Education

This category recognizes communications campaigns that elevated the brand, mission or impact of educational institutions or education-focused organizations. Entries may include, but are not limited to, a range of efforts, such as internal, external or integrated efforts supporting enrollment, reputation or community engagement.

 Employee Communications

This category focuses on strategies and initiatives that kept employees informed, aligned and engaged. Eligible entries may include, but are not limited, to internal communications programs supporting organizational goals, culture and clarity.

 Employee Engagement

Initiatives in this category fostered strong employee connection, motivation and involvement. Entries may encompass a range of efforts, such as programs designed to inspire participation, collaboration and alignment.

 Employer Branding

This category recognizes campaigns that positioned organizations as employers of choice. Eligible entries may include internal, external or integrated efforts focused on recruitment, retention, culture or workplace reputation.

 ESG

This category honors communications programs that clearly conveyed an organization’s environmental, social and governance commitments. Submissions may include a range of efforts, such as reports, executive messaging or integrated campaigns designed to educate and engage stakeholders.

 Event/Experiential

This category honors memorable events or experiential campaigns that created meaningful audience interactions. Eligible work may include, but are not limited to, internal, external or hybrid events where experience design and execution drove results.

 Executive Communications

This category recognizes strategies that effectively conveyed executive leadership vision and priorities. This category may include work such as internal, external or integrated executive messaging programs.

 External Communications

This category honors campaigns that successfully communicated key messages to external audiences. Eligible entries may include stakeholder, customer or public-facing communications initiatives.

 Government

This category recognizes communications initiatives conducted within or in partnership with government entities. Examples of eligible work include public-sector campaigns focused on policy, engagement or public awareness.

 Influencer Marketing

This category highlights campaigns that partnered strategically with influencers to amplify messaging and engagement. This category is open to work including programs where influencer relationships were central to reach and credibility.

 Integrated Communications

This category recognizes campaigns that blended multiple channels to deliver cohesive storytelling and impact. Entries may include, but are not limited to, integrated internal, external or marketing efforts.

 Internal Communications

This category celebrates efforts that fostered clear, effective and engaging communication within organizations. Eligible entries may include programs supporting alignment, transparency and understanding.

 Intranet

This category recognizes intranet platforms or initiatives that enhanced internal communication and employee engagement. Eligible entries may include a range of efforts, such as new launches, redesigns or ongoing improvements.

 Investor/Financial

This category recognizes investor and financial communications that strengthened trust and understanding among financial stakeholders. Entries may encompass a range of efforts, such as earnings communications, investor presentations or internal financial messaging.

 Issues Management

This category honors communications efforts that navigated complex, sensitive or emerging issues. Submissions may include proactive or responsive strategies addressing stakeholder concern or reputational risk.

 Marketing

This category honors marketing campaigns that drove brand awareness, engagement or growth. Eligible entries may include integrated or channel-specific marketing initiatives.

 Media Relations

This category recognizes campaigns that built strong media relationships and secured impactful earned coverage. Eligible work may include a range of efforts, such as proactive or reactive media strategies where media engagement played a central role in achieving communications goals.

 Measurement & Evaluation

This category recognizes the use of data and analytics to assess communications effectiveness and inform strategy. This category may include work such as dashboards, insights or optimization frameworks.

 Nonprofit

This category honors impactful communications campaigns led by or in partnership with nonprofit organizations. Examples of eligible work include internal, external or integrated mission-driven efforts.

 Platforms & Tech

This category recognizes technology platforms or tools that supported communications objectives. Eligible entries may include proprietary or third-party solutions that improved delivery, engagement or measurement.

 Podcast

This category recognizes engaging podcasts that connected with audiences and shared valuable insights. This category is open to work including a range of efforts, such as standalone series or branded podcasts.

 Public Affairs

This category honors campaigns that effectively managed public policy, advocacy or stakeholder relations. Entries may include, but are not limited to, internal or external public affairs initiatives.

 Public Relations

This category recognizes PR campaigns that strengthened brand visibility, credibility or engagement. Eligible entries may include earned media programs or PR-led integrated efforts.

 Reports

This category honors reports that effectively communicated key information to stakeholders. Eligible entries may include impact, research or performance reports beyond annual reports.

 Reputation Management

This category recognizes communications efforts designed to build, protect or restore organizational reputation. Entries may encompass a range of efforts, such as proactive reputation initiatives or recovery efforts.

 Social Justice

This category honors communications campaigns that championed social justice initiatives and drove meaningful impact. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, advocacy, equity or inclusion-focused efforts.

 Social Media

This category recognizes creative and effective social media campaigns that drove engagement and results. Eligible work may include platform-specific or multi-platform strategies.

 Special Event

This category honors unique events that captured audience attention and supported communications objectives. Eligible entries may include internal, external or hybrid events where planning, execution and experience design drove measurable results.

 Thought Leadership

This category recognizes campaigns that positioned individuals or organizations as trusted voices in their industries. This category may include work such as content, speaking or media visibility programs.

 Video

This category recognizes compelling video content that captured attention and conveyed key messages. Examples of eligible work include, but are not limited to, short- or long-form video storytelling.

 Visual Storytelling

This category highlights visually driven communications that conveyed stories through strong design and creative execution.

INDIVIDUALS & TEAMS

 Comms Leader (VP and above)

This category recognizes senior communications leaders who demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. Eligible entries may include executives who guided high-impact initiatives, led teams through complexity, or elevated the role of communications within their organizations.

 Educator (Professor or Trainer)

This category honors educators who made meaningful contributions to the communications and marketing profession. Nominations can include professors, instructors or trainers whose teaching advanced skills, knowledge and best practices.

 Emerging Communicator

This category honors rising communications, PR or marketing professionals who demonstrated exceptional potential and early-career success. This category may recognize people who contributed to impactful work, introduced innovative ideas or quickly assumed greater responsibility.

 Leadership in Communication

This category recognizes individuals who demonstrated exceptional leadership and influence within the communications field. This category is open to professionals whose vision, advocacy or thought leadership shaped teams, organizations or the broader industry.

 Marketing Leader (VP and above)

This category honors senior marketing leaders who drove innovative strategies and delivered measurable business impact. Entries may include, but are not limited to, executives responsible for brand growth, integrated campaigns or marketing transformation efforts.

 Mentor

This category recognizes individuals who supported and inspired the next generation of communications professionals. Eligible entries may include formal or informal mentors whose guidance contributed to professional growth and career development.

 PR Leader (VP and above)

Honoring senior PR leaders who have driven strategic initiatives and elevated brand reputation.

 Practitioner of the Year (Senior Manager/Manager Level)

This category recognizes experienced communications, PR or marketing professionals who made significant contributions to their organizations. Eligible nominations may include practitioners who led major initiatives, managed programs or delivered consistent high-impact results.

 Social Media Leader (VP and above)

This category recognizes senior leaders who shaped impactful social media strategies and fostered strong audience engagement. Eligible entries may include, but are not limited to, executives who elevated social as a core channel for brand, reputation or community building.

 Rising Stars (Comms and Marketing Professionals 30 Years Old and Under)

This category honors young professionals who are making a notable impact early in their careers. Entries may include, but are not limited to individuals who delivered strong results, showed leadership potential and are emerging as future industry leaders.

 Communications Team of the Year

This category honors communications teams that achieved outstanding results through strong strategy, collaboration and execution. Entries may include in-house or agency teams responsible for internal, external or integrated communications programs.

 Marketing Team of the Year

This category recognizes marketing teams that delivered exceptional campaigns and strategies. Eligible entries may include teams whose work drove awareness, engagement or growth through creative and data-informed execution.

 PR Team of the Year

This category honors public relations teams that delivered outstanding results through strategic planning and execution. Submissions may include teams responsible for earned media, reputation management, crisis response or PR-led integrated campaigns.

AGENCIES OF THE YEAR

 Boutique (Under $5m in Revenue)

This category honors boutique agencies that delivered exceptional client results through strategic thinking, creativity and execution. Eligible entries may include agencies that demonstrated strong performance, growth or innovation despite a smaller team or resource footprint.

 Small ($5m-$25m)

This category recognizes small agencies that achieved outstanding success and impact for their clients. Eligible entries may include agencies that combined strategic rigor, creative excellence and consistent results across multiple engagements.

 Mid-Size ($25-70m)

This category honors mid-sized agencies that demonstrated strong growth, leadership and campaign excellence. Entries may include agencies that delivered high-impact work while successfully scaling teams, capabilities or client portfolios.

 Large ($70m+)

This category recognizes large agencies that delivered exceptional strategic and creative results at scale. Submissions may include agencies that led complex, multi-channel programs and demonstrated leadership across clients, teams and the industry.

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

 Campaign of the Year

This award honors the most outstanding campaign across all communications, marketing and PR disciplines. Eligible entries represent the pinnacle of strategic planning, creative execution and measurable audience impact.

 Communications Campaign of Year: Consumer

This award recognizes a top consumer-focused communications campaign that creatively engaged audiences and drove meaningful brand awareness or action. Eligible entries may include campaigns where communications strategy played a central role in consumer engagement and results.

 Communications Campaign of the Year: B2B

This award honors an exceptional B2B communications campaign that successfully connected with professional audiences. Eligible work may include a range of efforts, such as campaigns that demonstrated strong strategic insight, execution and measurable business impact.

 Communications Campaign of the Year: Nonprofit/Government

This award recognizes an outstanding communications campaign led by or in partnership with a nonprofit or government entity. This category may include work such as campaigns that delivered meaningful engagement, awareness or outcomes in service of a mission or public interest.

 Marketing Campaign of Year: Consumer

This award honors a consumer marketing campaign that delivered exceptional results through creative storytelling and strategy. Examples of eligible work include campaigns that drove awareness, engagement or growth among consumer audiences.

 Marketing Campaign of the Year: B2B

This category recognizes a standout B2B marketing campaign that achieved strong results through strategic messaging and execution. Eligible entries may include campaigns that effectively influenced professional audiences or purchasing decisions.

 Marketing Campaign of the Year: Nonprofit/Government

This award honors a marketing campaign led by or in partnership with a nonprofit or government organization. This category is open to work including a range of efforts, such as campaigns that combined creativity and strategy to advance mission-driven goals.

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 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 up to five 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.

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

ENTER

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 April 1, 2025, and April 24, 2026, 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, April 17, 2026.

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.

W-9 Form / Tax ID Number Request

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
  • Achieve the Peak of Industry Recognition: This prestigious honor represents the peak of success in communications, marketing, and PR, solidifying your place among the best in the industry.
  • Showcase Your Excellence on a Grand Stage: Winning or even being named a finalist amplifies your work’s impact, increasing visibility among top industry leaders, peers, and potential collaborators.
  • Celebrate and Strengthen Your Reputation and Influence: Earning a Zenith Award reinforces your credibility, elevates your brand, and positions you or your organization as a leader in the field.
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 2nd 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?
Finalists will be recognized - and category winners will be revealed - at a live event in November. All entrants will be notified of finalist announcements three months prior to this industry event.

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.