Awards

Pinnacle Award Categories

Please note that all entries this year are being done online. All submissions require an Entry Form. You will need to log into your member page and select “Pinnacle Entries.”  Further details can be found on our Entry Submission page.

Award Categories

Advertising - Broadcast

Broadcast entries, including radio and television spots or series promoting a healthcare organization, its programs, or services, should be submitted in the appropriate format. Public service announcements (PSAs) are not eligible. Radio entries require one copy of the script and an MP3 file, while television entries require one copy of the script and a video or URL. For series, all commercials may be combined into one file per format, but separate files must be submitted for multiple entries.

Advertising - Campaign

Any advertising campaign relying solely on paid advertising and sales promotion techniques in two or more mediums, which promote a healthcare organization, its programs, services or event may be entered into this category. Examples include radio, TV, print, online and billboard advertising. Upload submissions as files or link to a URL.  (Note: Individual components also may be entered in other specific categories.)

Advertising - Outdoor
Any design utilized for or placed outside, on a bus shelter, inside public transportation or via billboard. Please include the purpose of the promotion, the location of the billboard or outdoor promotion, the reason for the location and the reach of the promotion. Upload a JPG photo of the design.
Advertising - Print

Advertising which promotes a healthcare organization, its programs or services and has appeared in a newspaper, magazine or other print medium may be entered in this category. For each entry, submit one copy of each piece.

Annual Report

Annual publications including community benefit reports, which present a picture of the overall performance of the healthcare organization to its board of directors, investors or service-area residents, should be entered in this category.

Branding

Include any branding or rebranding campaigns that you would like to showcase for your organization. This could include a total rebrand of the organization/program, the development of a brand to signify a milestone in your organization (think anniversary or recognition). If it is a new brand for a new program or milestone, please include a description of the purpose the new brand and supporting PDF of the brand materials. If it is a rebrand, please provide a PDF showing the brand before and after the rebranding process as well as a description of why you chose to rebrand.

Community Outreach

Entries in this category may include pamphlets, brochures and guides that promote the organization, its programs and services to residents of the healthcare organization’s service area. The literature also can be used to educate patients about a specific program or service. Entries may be individual projects or a series of related individual projects. Upload one copy of each piece.

Direct Mail
A single direct mail piece or a series (three or more) that promotes a healthcare organization, its programs, services or event may be entered in this category. Do not enter community newsletters or annual reports into this category. For each entry, upload one copy of each piece.
Digital Advertising

Include any paid digital advertising through social network platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube as well as digital ads and Google Ad campaigns. For each entry, upload one file in video/MP3 format or provide a URL, along with a PDF of the e-marketing or social marketing initiative. For display /Google ads, please include the click through rate (CTR), number of impressions, the budget and any supporting information about the success of the campaign as well as the ad copy/display ad creative.

Employee Engagement

Publications and/or electronic communications/platforms intended to keep employees aware of the healthcare organization and its programs and services should be entered into this category. Submit two to four different issues of a publication. For electronic communications, upload as a MP3/video or provide a URL along with a print in PDF format.

Email Marketing

Any outbound e-marketing program including e-publications, advertisements, newsletters or surveys that are exclusively targeted to consumers or other key audiences through email distribution platforms such as MailChimp and Constant Contact, as examples. Please upload PDF files of at least three email marketing pieces and include the open rate, distribution number, opt outs and any additional supporting information to show the success of the campaign.

Integrated Marketing Campaign

A marketing program using multi-media tactics (paid and unpaid). Examples include direct mail, news releases, social media and digital/radio/TV/print advertising. The campaign must demonstrate achievement of marketing excellence through research, measurable campaign objectives, concise strategies, implementation, evaluation and achievement of measurable results.

Fundraising Activities

Any fund-raising project that benefitted a foundation and culminated between June 25, 2023, to June 24, 2024.

Entries should illustrate project planning and implementation, as well as results of the efforts and how they impacted the organization.

Issue/Crisis Management

Any internal or external project dedicated to the management of a central issue/crisis that impacted the healthcare organization. This could be a one-time crisis intervention, an ongoing educational or communication campaign related to a single issue or topic, or ongoing management of a controversial issue that impacts the healthcare organization. Clearly identify the strategy and tactics employed and provide examples of the communications content and media used (e.g., social media, closed circuit television, daily newspaper).

Media Relations

Entries in this category include letters to the editor or opinion editorials, bylined articles or feature stories about an issue/topic that is important to the healthcare organization or highlights the expertise, programs or services at the healthcare organization. Provide the pitch, news release, media alert or draft of the letter, op-ed or article, as well as the media list and links to where the story/article/letter/op-ed was placed. If a link isn’t available, upload a PDF.

Newsletter

Publications intended to convey news and other information about the healthcare organization and its programs, services and facility to targeted audiences should be entered into this category. Provide two to four different issues.

Patient Outreach

This category applies to any project or campaign that markets or improves the patient experience/satisfaction. This can include internally and externally-focused campaigns using any type of media. Inclusion of measurement tools and return on investment are key to this entry.

Physician Relations and Recruitment

This category is designed to showcase projects and methods that illustrate how your organization partners with physicians in delivering specific healthcare services or programs to your community, as well as projects related to encouraging new physicians to join your organization.

Podcasting

Podcast entries promoting a healthcare organization, its programs, or services should be submitted in this category. Each entry must include a detailed description of the podcast’s purpose, target audience, and its role in promoting healthcare. Track metrics like total downloads, unique listeners, average listening time, listener retention rate, episode ratings and reviews, website traffic driven by the podcast, social media engagement related to the podcast, and audience participation through comments or feedback. Submit one complete episode in MP3 format, along with a written transcript of the episode. For series submissions, include a single MP3 file compiling up to three representative episodes.

Social Media Campaign

Social media campaign entries promoting a healthcare organization, its programs, or services should showcase the strategic use of social platforms to achieve campaign goals. Each entry must include a written summary detailing the campaign’s objectives, target audience, platforms used, and measurable outcomes (e.g., engagement metrics, reach, or conversions). Provide examples of campaign assets such as images, videos, or graphics, along with links to the social media posts or a document compiling screenshots. If the campaign includes multiple posts or platforms, ensure the submission captures the overall strategy and execution cohesively.

Special Event

Entries in this category include projects designed to publicize, promote or support specific events or services of the healthcare organization and that use a variety of communication methods to reach a target audience. Examples include health screenings, anniversary celebrations, open houses, grand openings, educational seminars, contests, etc. For each entry, submit one copy of each piece. Submit photographs not to exceed 8.5 x 11 of outdoor, oversized or three-dimensional advertising. Submit audiovisual materials in MP3/video format or provide a URL. (Note: Individual components also may be entered in other specific categories.)

Video Production

Videos created primarily for a specific non-commercial audience should be entered in this category. Examples include patient or medical education, employee orientation, physician recruitment and community relations. Entries will be judged on concept, creativity and professional execution. For each entry, provide a URL or upload the video along with the script.

Web Design and Development

Any Intranet or Internet websites may be entered into this category. Entries must currently be accessible. For intranet sites that are not accessible outside an organization’s network, include the most current view of the site and submit all files as PDFs. All website entries will be judged on creativity, complexity and user-friendliness, as well as the quality of the information provided. Please note all outside assistance clearly in your project description and include your URL.

2025 Pinnacle Awards

The date and time for the 2025 Pinnacle Awards Presentation will be announced soon. Winners take home bragging rights, a shiny trophy and a healthy dose of self-esteem to prepare for the upcoming year’s creative streak.