Best Bare-Knuckled Street Fight Victory
A campaign that won the hard way, one voter at a time. The winner of this category will have demonstrated the ability to win in the face of intimidation and/or entrenched party machinery.
Best Campaign Comeback
The firm that pulled out the most shocking, surprising victory of the year.
Best Earned Media Around a Single Event
The single most successful earned media event of the 2012 campaign cycle. This is an event of any kind produced to support the campaign that drew the most positive free media coverage.
Best GOTV Plan and Execution
Very simply, the most effective Get Out the Vote operation of the 2012 campaign cycle.
Best International (Non-US) Campaign
Best political or public affairs campaign in 2012 that did not take place in the United States.
Best Public Affairs Campaign
The campaign that most effectively changed public opinion in 2012.
Best Special Election Campaign
Best campaign for office that involved a special election in 2012.
Best Use of Targeting Technology
Best demonstration of a campaign using targeting and/or mapping information to increase turnout and target supporters, voters and/ or donors.
Most Daring (and Successful) Tactic
The single most courageous move that changed the prospects of a campaign.
Most Innovative Product of the Year
Most innovative product used to help support a political or public affairs campaign.
Best Use of New Technology
Most innovative use of technology to help support a political or public affairs campaign.
Best Use of Mobile Technology
Best use of mobile technology on behalf of any political or public affairs campaign.
Best Use of Social Networking Technology
Best use of a social network that effectively led a political or public affairs campaign to victory.
Best Use of Email/Viral Marketing
Best use of email/viral marketing on behalf of any political or public affairs campaign.
Best Fundraising Program
The best fundraising program put in place for any political or public affairs campaign.
Best Television Advertisement of 2012
Best political television advertisement of 2012.
Best Ad that Never Saw the Light of Day
Television ad produced on behalf of any candidate from any party that never aired.
Best International (Non-US) Campaign
Television ad produced on behalf of any international candidate or cause.
Best Use of Voice-Over Talent
Best voice in a television ad produced on behalf of any candidate in any party.
Best Villain
Television ad showcasing a member of the opposition as the best villain of the campaign cycle.
Local, County or Judicial Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
Democratic State Legislative Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of a Democratic Party candidate for state legislator.
Republican State Legislative Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of a Republican Party candidate for state legislator.
Statewide Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of any candidate for a statewide race.
Democratic Congressional Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of any Democratic Congressional candidate.
Republican Congressional Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of any Republican Congressional candidate.
Presidential Candidate
Television ad produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Independent Expenditure Campaign or Issue Advocacy
Television ad produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Ballot Initiative
Television ad produced for the purpose of advocating a position related to a ballot initiative.
Most Effective Comparative Television Advertisement
Television ad produced on behalf of any candidate from either party that effectively compares them to their opponent on any issue.
Toughest Television Advertisement
Television advertisement with the toughest message, sent from any campaign.
Best Direct Mail Piece
Best direct mail piece of 2012.
Best Mail that Never Saw the Light of Day
Direct mail piece that was produced but was never actually used.
Best International (Non-US) Campaign
Direct mail campaign produced on behalf of an International candidate or cause.
Best Villain
Direct mail piece showcasing a member of the opposition as the best villain of the campaign cycle.
County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of a candidate of any party for a local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
Democratic State Legislative Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of a Democratic Party candidate for state legislator.
Republican State Legislative Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of a Republican Party candidate for state legislator.
Statewide Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of a candidate for statewide office.
Democratic Congressional Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of any Democratic Congressional candidate.
Republican Congressional Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of any Republican Congressional candidate.
Presidential Candidate
Direct mail piece produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Independent Expenditure Campaign or Issue Advocacy
Direct mail piece produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Ballot Initiative
Direct mail piece produced for the purpose of advocating a position related to a ballot initiative.
Toughest Direct Mail Piece
Direct mail piece that had a negative impact on any candidate from either party.
Best Automated Phone Call
Best automated phone call of the 2012 cycle.
County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Automated call produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
State Legislative Candidate
Automated call produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative office.
Statewide Candidate
Automated call produced on behalf of a candidate for any statewide office.
Congressional Candidate
Automated call produced on behalf of any Congressional candidate.
Presidential Candidate
Automated call produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Independent Expenditure, Ballot Initiative or Public Affairs Advocacy
Automated call produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any issue or candidate for any office.
Best Live Phone Call
Best live phone call of the 2012 cycle.
Best Overall Use of a Telephone Town Hall
Best use of a telephone town hall by any candidate for office.
County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Live call produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
State Legislative Candidate
Live call produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative office.
Statewide Candidate
Live call produced on behalf of a candidate for any statewide office.
Congressional Candidate
Live phone call produced on behalf of any Congressional candidate.
Presidential Candidate
Live phone call produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Independent Expenditure, Ballot Initiative or Public Affairs Advocacy
Live phone call produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Best Newspaper Ad
Best newspaper ad of the 2012 cycle.
Toughest Newspaper Ad
Newspaper ad with the toughest message attacking a candidate of either party.
County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Newspaper ad produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
State Legislative or Statewide Candidate
Newspaper ad produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative or statewide office.
Best International (Non-US) Website
Best candidate website for an International race or cause.
Best International (Non-US) Web Video
Best web video produced on behalf of any international candidate or cause.
Best Online Fundraising Tool
Website that raised large sums of campaign funds, drew from new sources and organized donor information most effectively.
Best Use of Application Software for a Mobile Device
Best mobile application produced on behalf of a candidate or public affairs campaign in the 2012 cycle.
Web Video: County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Web video produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
Web Video: State Legislative Candidate
Web video produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative office.
Web Video: Statewide Candidate
Web video produced on behalf of a candidate for any statewide office.
Web Video: Congressional Candidate
Web video produced on behalf of any Congressional candidate.
Web Video: Presidential Candidate
Web video produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Web Video: Ballot Initiative or Independent Expenditure
Web video produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Best Website
Best website of the 2012 cycle.
Website: County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Website produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
Website: State Legislative Candidate
Website produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative office.
Website: Statewide Candidate
Website produced on behalf of a candidate for any statewide office.
Website: Congressional Campaign
Website produced on behalf of any Congressional candidate.
Website: Independent Expenditure Campaign or Issue Advocacy
Website produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Best Online Advertising Campaign
The most effective online advertising campaign of 2012.
Best Use of Display Advertising
Best use of display advertising in a political or advocacy campaign in 2012.
Best Online Targeting
Best online targeting in a political or advocacy campaign.
Best Radio Ad
Radio ad produced on behalf of a candidate or public affairs campaign in 2012.
Best International (Non-US) Radio Ad
Radio ad produced on behalf of any international candidate or cause in 2012.
Best Use of Voice-Over Talent
Best voice in a radio ad produced on behalf of a candidate for either party.
Radio Ad: County, Local or Judicial Candidate
Radio Ad produced on behalf of any candidate for local, county or judicial office in a city, town, county or other municipal region.
Radio Ad: State Legislative Candidate
Radio Ad produced on behalf of a candidate for any state legislative office.
Radio Ad: Statewide Candidate
Radio Ad produced on behalf of a candidate for any statewide office.
Radio Ad: Congressional
Radio ad produced on behalf of any Congressional candidate.
Radio Ad: Presidential
Radio ad produced on behalf of any candidate for President.
Radio Ad: Ballot Initiative or Independent Expenditure
Radio ad produced for an independent committee or organization for the purpose of advocating a position in relation to any candidate or issue for any office.
Toughest Radio Ad
Radio ad with the toughest message for any campaign or advocating a position.
Best Collateral Item or Sign
Best collateral or signage material from the 2012 cycle.
Most Original/Innovative Collateral Item
Most creative campaign handouts and giveaways.
Yard/Outdoor Signs
Best outdoor signs in free locations, including yard signs and street posters.