Student Banquet & Showcase

Entries are now being accepted for the fourth annual School of Mass Communication and Journalism Student Showcase. This year's theme will be Written in the Stars.  Students are invited to submit entries into several categories to earn recognition during the School’s spring banquet on April 24, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center on the Hattiesburg campus.


General guidelines:

  1. Entries for each category can be from classes, a campus publication/airing  or an outside venue.
  2. Students may enter multiple categories. Group entries will be accepted in most categories.
  3. All entries must be submitted electronically via the Student Showcase Entry Form.  Each entry must include a link where judges can view the entry online.
  4. Entries in The Student Printz category must have been published in The Student Printz to be eligible for consideration.
  5. Incomplete entry forms will result in disqualification for the contest category, and past winning entries are not eligible for entry.
  6. Students named a finalist in any category must be present at the spring banquet. Finalists will be announced via email notification by April 23th.

Submission Process:
All entries are to be submitted via the Student Showcase Entry Form.

Entry Deadline: April 12, 2013

Selection Process:
Entries will be judged by members of the SMCJ’s advisory board which consists of professionals and educators representing all areas of mass communication.

What if I have questions?
Direct questions regarding contest entries to the contest co-coordinators, Cindy Blackwell (601.266.5792) and Mandy Nace (601.266.4196).

 

2013 Student Showcase Categories & Descriptions:

Best Advertising Research—Students are expected to submit research ideas that are associated with any aspect of advertising, along with brief research questions and methods to be used for the study. Since this award is for undergraduate students, judges will be focusing on their basic understanding about advertising research and creative approaches to their research topics.

Best Creative Advertising—Students are expected to submit any creative advertising works they have done so far in MCJ classes and/or campus-wide. The submission should be accompanied with a brief description about the creative work and background information such as situation analysis or creative brief. The creative advertising will be judged based on originality of the idea as well as ability to deliver core messages of the advertising.

Best Sports News Package
Best News Package
Best Feature News Package—Each broadcast category listed will be judged by the following: overall storytelling, video quality, use of nats, and electronic news writing. Consideration includes factors like clarity, style and so on.

Best Web Site—Entries will be judged based on display, composition, ease of use and interactivity with audience. Entries should contain only original work.

Best Graphic Design—Entries will be judged based on message delivery, composition, use of color or black and white to help convey message. Entries should contain only original work.

Best Studio Producer—Students will submit all records and evidence showing effective and successful production of a studio record. All materials relevant to the production should be included. A narrative explaining applicability of the project in a given career path is recommended as part of the package.

Best Live Audio Producer—Students will submit all records and evidence showing effective and successful production of a live program. Suggested materials may include, but are not limited to audio and/or video recordings of the event, reviews, advertisements, marketing and promotional materials. All materials relevant to the production should be included. A narrative explaining applicability is recommended as part of the package.

Best Artist Management—Students will submit all records and evidence indicating effective and successful artist management.  Suggested materials may include but are not limited to a touring itinerary, a touring budget, a traditional press kit or EPK, a demo recording, a career plan and any relevant marketing materials. A narrative explaining applicability is recommended as part of the package.

Best Record Company Manager—Students will submit all records and evidence indicating effective and successful record label management. Suggested materials may include, but are not limited to, South City records releases or other materials, plan for implementing a given departmental structure, plan for physical and/or digital distribution for local, regional and/or national/international markets, a market analysis for a given genre, territory or point of purchase. A narrative explaining applicability is recommended as part of the package.

Best Narrative Film—Entries should focus on all aspects of developing a narrative film project including, but not limited to, story development, casting to achieve effective story telling, shooting and packaging, editing.

Best Non-Narrative Film—Entries should focus on all aspects of developing a non-narrative film project, which includes but is not limited to documentary/experimental/music video, etc. Projects will be evaluated based on development of topic, shooting and packaging, editing.

Best Non-News TV/Video Production—

Best Multimedia & Digital Journalism—This category awards excellence in telling a story, either feature or news, to an online audience using multimedia techniques, with an emphasis on multimedia storytelling, the quality of journalism and creative use of the medium. Entries must be journalism, and may not include dramatization. Each entry must have been either used for a class assignment or posted on the web and the entrant must have completed at least three of the following components: writing (including scripted narration/voice over), interactive elements, Flash, photography, audio and/or video. One project per entrant. Time limit: Entries must not exceed 10 minutes, with a preference for shorter pieces.

Multimedia entries will be evaluated on the following points: Visual story telling; writing; reporting; photography; audio and video; graphics; versatility; human interest; news value; originality; editing; navigation and structure; design.

Best News Story—Story must: Present facts about a timely issue important to audience; be well organized, contain accurate and concise information, and is succinct and clearly written; have facts and quotes attributed to original sources (i.e. person, department or organization).

Best Feature Story—Story must: Be of general human interest and contain lively, informal writing that engages readers’ interest; use detailed back­ground information and colorful, precise descriptions; inform, advise, or entertain.

Best Opinion/Editorial—Column must: Express original ideas/opinions by present­ing an issue and building a logical case; show evidence of research and highlights important facts that frame the argument and make it persuasive.

Best Sports Story—Story must: Be either play-by-play report or feature of specific sporting event/participant/group; engage readers’ interest; inform and advise; use detailed background information and colorful, precise descriptions if article is a feature. 

Best Black & White Photo—The winning black & white photograph must be a dynamic image that speaks to the irrefutable beauty and spirit of the human and/or the natural world.

Best Color Photo—The winning color photograph must be a dynamic image that makes the most of the included colors and captures the irrefutable beauty and spirit of the human and/or the natural world.

Best Public Relations Research—Students are expected to submit research ideas that are associated with any aspect of public relations, along with brief research questions and methods to be used for the study. This could be simply a public relations research design or research findings along with public relations implications. Since this award is for both undergraduate and master's students, judges will be focusing on their basic understanding about public relations research and creative approaches to their research topics. The topics should be relevant to public relations practice and the research design or findings should provide practical implications.


Best Public Relations Writing & Design—Students are expected to submit projects that show their use of public relations writing and design to reach a targeted audience. Some examples include press release, speech, brochure/newsletter copy or layout, poster design, web design, etc. Since this award is for both undergraduate and master's students, judges will be focusing on their basic understanding of writing and design principles for effective public relations and creative approaches to their message design.


Best Public Relations Campaign—Students will submit all parts of a public relations campaign designed for use by a client in achieving a specific public relations goal. Judges will focus on students’ ability to construct and design an effective campaign based on the client’s needs. This category is open to both undergraduate and master's students.

Best Printz Writer—Awarded to the writer whose stories demonstrate a thorough knowledge of their subjects and a strong sense of news. This writer relays information in a clear and creative manner to readers and does so consistently. Each applicant should submit three stories of any nature – news, feature, arts and entertainment, opinion or sports. Entries should have been published in The Student Printz.

Best Printz Photographer—Awarded to the photographer whose photos consistently demonstrate creativity and thought. Each applicant should submit three photos of any nature – news, feature, arts and entertainment, opinion or sports. Entries should have been published in The Student Printz.