The categories

The ICMA-Award has four sections: 1. custom media, 2. books, 3. graphic design, 4. magazines.
Here is the 1st section, custom media.

Work created between 1 January 2021 and 18 October 2022 is eligible to enter. The ICMA has print and online categories:

Sustainability

1.0 This new category is about publications by companies and institutions on the topic of sustainability – Corporate Sustainability Reporting. In addition to the classic sustainability report, we also consider articles or article series in print, online or podcast. We are happy to look at works in advance to see if they fit into this category.

Main categories

Print:
1.1. Customer magazines B2B print
1.2. Customer magazines B2C print
1.3. Employee media print (newspaper, magazine)
1.4. Annual reports print
1.5. Image brochures print
1.6. Print catalogues, magalogues
1.7. Corporate books

Online:
1.8. Customer magazines B2B online (website, microsite, app, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.9. Customer magazines B2C online (website, microsite, app, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.10. Employee media online (intranet, microsite, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.11. Annual reports online
1.12. Multimedia storytelling
1.13. Image websites
1.14. Social media projects
1.15. Corporate podcasts

Motion picture:
1.16. Corporate film/video
1.17. Animated films

Campaigns and events:
1.18. Event media print and online
1.19. Campaigns for events, employer branding, etc.

Sub categories

In these sub categories, the jury evaluates parts of publications that have been published in print or online:

1.20. Concept
1.21. Front pages
1.22. Cover and cover story
1.23. Typography – Layout
1.24. Photography
1.25. Photo reportage
1.26. Visualisation
1.27. Visual storytelling, alternative Storytelling
1.28. Infographics, animated infographics
1.29. Illustration
1.30. Print finishing

Further explanation of each category can be found throughout this Call for Entries. If you are not sure in which category to submit a project, just contact us: info@icma-award.com

What should be submitted?

The jury members meet for a two-day session and judge most of the work on screen. Only books are required as printed copies.

Print:
Pdfs only are also required in the print categories. If the jury needs printed copies, we will request them. Pdfs should be double-page spreads – mounting surface or printed sheets – if possible, with bleed marks. Works created between 1 January 2022 and 18 October 2023 are eligible.

Online:
Take a screenshot of the start page, provide the link to the project and describe the details if necessary. Works created between 1 January 2022 and 18 October 2023 are eligible.

Social Media:
Document the respective project with screenshots and describe it. You can describe it in a Word document, for example, and then save it as a Pdf. If possible, add a link to the project on the web.

These documents are required:

Please create a folder for each category in which you would like to participate and put the works in it as pdfs. Name the papers with the category number and the name of the publication. Each work is accompanied by a participation form with information about your company and the description of the project. The papers will then be uploaded to the Upload Center.

Sustainability

If you participate in print categories, upload pdf’s of the publication in the upload centre. If you participate in online categories, a screenshot of the start page, a description of the project and a link to the website is sufficient.

Main categories

Print:
1.1. customer magazines B2B print
1.2. customer magazines B2C print
1.3. employee media print (newspaper, magazine)

Pdfs of two different issues.
The jury wants to see how the publication looks in the series. Therefore, two different copies should be submitted, e.g. issue 1 and 3. A single entry fee is due for the two issues. If the publication is new, it is also sufficient to submit one issue.

1.4. Annual Reports Print
Pdfs of the publication. The cover and the image section are required. All pages can also be submitted. Print finishing: It is best to attach photos of the finishing, die-cutting, etc.

1.5 Print image brochures
1.6. print catalogues, magalogues
Pdfs of the publication.

1.7. Corporate Books
In this category we want to return to printed copies. Please send us a copy. We also need pdf files of the complete book. For the cover, only the title page, not the complete cover.

Online:
1.8. Customer magazines B2B online (website, microsite, app, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.9. Customer magazines B2C Online (website, microsite, app, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.10. Employee media online (intranet, microsite, e-magazine, newsletter)
1.11. Annual Reports Online
1.12. Multimedia storytelling
1.13. Image websites
1.14. Social media projects
1.15. Corporate podcasts
Screenshot of the start page and – if necessary – further screenshots of subpages. Description of the project. Link to the respective website.

Motion picture:
1.16. Corporate film/video
1.17. Animated films
Link to the respective project, i.e. film, video, animated film or podcast.

Campaigns and Events:
1.18. Event media print and online.
1.19. Campaigns for events, employer branding, etc.
Description of the project. Pdfs of the publications, screenshots of the website, photos of the event. It is a good idea to arrange the different media in one or more tableaus.

Sub categories

If you apply with a publication in one of the main categories, you can submit up to 4 parts of this publication in each sub category for free. These are, for example, 4 cover pages, 4 cover and cover stories, 4 photo reports, 4 infographics. So for print media, for example, you can use publications from throughout the year. Publication period: January 1, 2021 to October 18, 2022.

In these sub-categories, the jury evaluates parts of publications that have been published in print or online:
1.20. concept
1.21. front pages
1.22. Cover and cover story
1.23. typography – layout
1.24. photography
1.25. photo reportage
1.26. visualisation
1.27. visual storytelling, alternative Storytelling
1.28. infographics, animated infographics
1.29. illustration
1.30. print finishing
Only pdfs of the parts of a publication that are to participate in subcategories are required.

Examples of submissions in the categories can be found later in the Call for Entries. If you are not sure, it is best to contact us by email: nkuepper@icma-award.com

Schedule:

Competition period:
Work created between 1 January 2022 and 18 October 2023 can be submitted.

Start submission period:
1 September 2023

Closing date:
1 October 2023

Submission deadline:
Until 27 October 2023. (The closing date has been moved from 18 October to the latest possible date of 27 October).

30 November 2023:
The list of winners will be placed on the website around 30 November: www.icma-award.com

By 15 December 2023:
All participants will receive an individual email notification of their result.
Participants will be able to publish their results from this date.

31 January 2024:
The winning entries will be published on the website.
The certificates will be sent by email.
Award trophies can be ordered for a separate fee and will be produced individually.

Participation form

Print categories:
The entry form for each participating work must be completed and enclosed in pdf format. It can be filled in on screen.

Online categories:
Fill in the entry form and provide us with a link to the publication. Upload the form in the Upload Centre. You can also attach screenshots with a description.

Registration and file upload in the Upload Centre

Registration: In the upload center also enter your company data and the data of a contact person for the competition.

Add the participation form as a pdf to each submission.

Pdfs of the publication are required. If possible, create the pdfs as double pages. In the production of the pdfs, this means “assembly area” or “printed sheets”. It is enough if the pdfs are suitable for an image at a height of about 10 cm. The pdfs are used only when the publication is awarded.

Upload centre: Uploading up to 700 MB in one step is possible. Please put the submissions all together in one folder and zip them. Then upload the zipped files. For files over 700 MB, simply send several zipped files.

Updating is possible: You can no longer access files that you have uploaded. If you want to submit something later, simply upload it in the Upload Centre. If you want to completely revise the submission, simply upload everything again and note that the old files should be deleted.

Participation fees:

Custom Media: 200 euros per publication. (Custom Media B2B, B2C and Employee Media: The fee includes two different editions).

Corporate Books: 90 euros per book.

Graphic Design: 100 euros per logo, 200 euros per corporate design.

Magazines: 200 euros per magazine. (Two different issues are included in the fee).

Late submissions: Late submissions are possible between 2 and 27 October. Last deadline: 27 October until midnight.
The prices quoted are in Germany plus statutory VAT.

Payment:

Each participant will receive an invoice. Then transfer the amount within 14 days. The bank details – IBAN – and a Paypal account will be mentioned in the invoice.

Last update: 9 October 2023

Request an invoice

There are two ways to request an invoice:

– In the Upload Centre, specify the number of submissions and the categories, or
– Request an invoice by e-mail. Please also indicate the number of submissions and the categories. E-mail: mail@icma-award.com

To be able to write an invoice, we also need your exact company address.
Participants from the European Union: We need the VAT ID of your company because this must be stated on the invoice. If you do not have such an ID, please mention it. It is no problem.

After you have requested an invoice, you will normally receive an invoice by email within 24 hours.

Certificates and trophies

The certificates are included in the participation fee. They will be sent as Pdf. Trophies made of plexiglass, on brushed aluminum or with shadow frames will be produced for a fee. Orders by email to info@icma-award.com. You will receive an offer and drafts in advance.

Certificate as Pdf. A certificate will be issued for each award-winning work. The work is shown on the certificate. The name of the client and the agency or designer will also be mentioned. The certificate will be sent as a pdf and can be printed out by the award winner and used in social media and on the web. This service is included in the entry fee.

Printouts of the certificates. It is also possible to print out the certificate and send it in a folder by post. The shipping costs vary depending on the country. Interested parties will receive a cost estimate in advance.

Award trophy. It is made of plexiglass and has a portrait format of 20 x 15 x 2.5 cm. It has a weight of approx. 900 grams. The text is made individually and is agreed with each customer in advance.

Award trophy. The award trophies are very popular with the winners. Some have one made for the agency and one for the client. It also happens that every staff member on a project gets a trophy as a souvenir. The award trophies are designed identically for all categories, i.e. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Awards of Excellence. The texts are always individual and are agreed with the award winners. Before the trophy goes into production, it is approved by the customer.

Certificates on brushed aluminium. It is possible to print the certificate on brushed aluminium. The plate is approx. 3 mm thick and has a rail on the back so that you can hang it up easily. Format DIN A 3 landscape (height 29.7 cm, width 42 cm). The certificate shines depending on the incidence of light. It fits into a modern ambience and stands out from other award trophies. In detail you can see that the certificate is burnt into the aluminium. The aluminium is horizontally brushed.

Certificates on aluminium with frame. It is possible to print the certificate on aluminium. The plate is approx. 3 mm thick and has a rail on the back so that you can hang it up easily. The background of the certificate is white. Format including frame: Height 31 cm, width 43,2 cm. The certificate has a shadow gap frame made of aluminium, which is 25 mm high.

Sustainability

1.0 This new category is about publications from companies and institutions on the topic of sustainability – Corporate Sustainability Reporting. In addition to the classic sustainability report, we also consider articles or article series in print, online or podcast. We would be happy to take a look at your work in advance to see if it fits into this category. Contact: info@icma-award.com

We do not yet have any exemplary works in this category.

Wikipedia writes:
“Sustainability is a principle of action in the use of resources. It aims to ensure that needs are met in the long term by preserving the natural regenerative capacity of the systems involved, especially living organisms and ecosystems.

This principle is literally recognisable in the corresponding English word sustainable: to sustain in the sense of “endure” or “bear”. In other words, the systems involved can “sustain” a certain level of resource use without suffering damage. The principle was first applied in forestry: Only as much wood is to be felled in the forest as will permanently grow back. When it was realised in the second half of the 20th century that all raw materials and energy supplies in the world were in danger of running out, its use spread to the handling of all resources.”

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use these as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They are not allowed to be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions.  If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us:  info@icma-award.com

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions.  If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us:  info@icma-award.com

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions.  If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us:  info@icma-award.com

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions.  If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us:  info@icma-award.com

This category is about stories that are presented in a combination of text, infographics and moving images. They are also called scrollytelling or snow-fall projects. What is behind this name? The first project of this kind was realized by the New York Times. It was called “Snow Fall. The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek”. Here is a link to this legendary project: Snow Fall.

If you are unclear, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The BVG and Hornbach works were not submitted to the competition. This is what submissions in the social media category could look like: Screenshots of the project and a short description.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us at info@icma-award.com.

This is what is submitted in this category: The entry form with the description of the project and a link to the film, e.g. on Youtube.

We can also think of these films as models:

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us at info@icma-award.com.

This is what is submitted in this category: The entry form with the description of the project and a link to the film, e.g. on Youtube.

What is needed: Description of the project. Pdfs of the publications, screenshots of the website, photos documenting the event and the media used. In this category it is useful to arrange the different media in one or more tableaus. This category is new, so there are only a few examples. However, you can see how the arrangement of examples in tableaus works.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com.

What is needed: Description of the project. Pdfs of the publications, screenshots of the website, photos documenting the event and the media used. In this category it is useful to arrange the different media in one or more tableaus. This category is new, so there are only a few examples. However, you can see how the arrangement of examples in tableaus works.

We show here excellent works from previous ICMA Awards. You can use this as a guide when planning your own submissions. The jury reserves the right to place work in a different category. The aim is to find the best category for each work. If you are unsure, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category. If you are unsure, please contact us: info@icma-award.com

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

In the case of the covers of “Energy”, you can see that in many cases covers form a series. For example, you can submit 4 covers from the submission period here.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are in doubt, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

Visual storytelling means that a topic is told predominantly by visual means. It is often a combination of text, infographics and photography.

Alternative storytelling means that you do not offer a topic in a closed text but divide it, for example, into ten points. However, it is also possible to tell a story by providing illustrations with short explanations.

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are unclear, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.

The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are unclear, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com

This is a sub-category. Those who participate with a project in one of the main categories 1 to 13 can participate in the sub-categories free of charge. 4 works can be submitted per sub-category.The works shown here have been prepared and arranged for the website. Pdfs of all pages of a publication are required for the competition. They must not be presented as they are here. If you are unclear, you can also simply contact us: info@icma-award.com