Judging Criteria

Newsletters | Brochures | Annual Reports 

Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate print submissions based on a number of criteria, including:

• Layout: How well does the publication catch the eye, create a visual flow, and/or draw the reader's attention to the content?
• Content: Is the mission name well identified in the publication? Is the piece easy to read? Is the purpose or theme of the publication clearly communicated in the text? Do the headlines or "teaser phrases" highlight the content of the publication? Are captions related to the text? Is the publication an appropriate size and length?
• Human Interest: Does the publication appropriately share how lives have been changed through the mission's ministry?
• Effective Use of Photos/Graphics: Are the photos and/or graphics compelling, and do they accurately illustrate the theme of the publication? Are the photos and fonts properly sized for the publication?
• Uniqueness of Presentation: What creative elements are used to capture the interest of the reader?
• Ability to Evoke Response: Did the publication achieve the purpose of the writer? Did the publication produce a significant and measurable result?

Please note that print publications must have been produced in the 2020 calendar year.

Logos

Your logo says a lot about who you mission is and what it does, and it needs to say it at a glance. It must tell the story of your mission, but cannot read like a novel. Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate logos based on a number of criteria, including:

• The logo quickly identifies who the mission is without the viewer knowing the logo’s rationale.
• Beyond identifying the mission, the logo gives the mission an identity or brand. 
• Good use of vector shapes (the logo displays cleanly).
• Good use of color (or grayscale if appropriate).
• Logo works at various sizes (business cards to mission signage).

Please note that logos must have been produced in the 2020 calendar year.

Photos

Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate photos based on a number of criteria, including:

• General characteristics: Originality, style, context, photographic vision, empathy, insight, validity.
• Technical criteria: Exposure, focus/sharpness, depth of field, color and/or tonal rendition, contrast, lighting.
• Visual and aesthetic criteria: Framing and choice of viewpoint, background, design elements and principles, appropriate application of photographic and/or manipulative techniques, visual impact.
• Content: Information, emotion, mood, feeling, symbolism, meaning, communication through the language of photography and visual art, the moment, relevance, subject impact.
• Viewer’s response: Visual, aesthetic, intellectual, emotional, excitement, interest.

Please note that photos must have been taken (but not necessarily used) in the 2020 calendar year.

PSAs/Commercials | Extended Videos

The contest includes two video categories: (1) PSAs/Commercials (60 seconds or less), and (2) Extended videos (longer than 60 seconds) that tell a client's story, the mission's story, or are used for banquets and fundraising purposes. Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate video submissions in both categories based on a number of criteria, including:

• Quality video.

• Uniqueness of the video presentation.

• Video that is creative, engaging, and holds the attention of the viewer.

• Awareness of aspect(s) of the ministry.

Please note that all videos submitted must have been produced during the 2020 calendar year.

Websites | Facebook | Twitter

Electronic media, including social media, is quickly becoming the standard for communicating in a fast-paced world. At Citygate Network, we encourage member missions to produce quality, innovative, and informative electronic media.

Websites

Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate website submissions based on a number of criteria, including:

• Content: How informative is the site? Does it cover the mission in a broad, deep, and thorough manner? Is the information useful, accurate, and up-to-date?
• Design: Assesses the site's layout and presentation. Does it lead visitors through the information nicely? Are the pages appealing and easy to use? Does the site use video, audio, and graphics? Is the site provocative and appealing
• Originality: Does the site look at the ministry of the mission in a unique way? Is information available at the site that is found nowhere else?
• Response: Does the site encourage involvement in the mission? Is the information updated regularly so that visitors will want to return to the site in the future?

Please note that websites will be judged in their current state during the judging period in 2021.

Facebook and Twitter

Judges for the 2021 Media Innovation Competition will evaluate social media submissions based on a number of criteria, including:

• The mission name is well identified as part of the feed.
• The feeds naturally lead back to the mission website.
• Ease of navigation from the mission’s home page.
• The feeds present the broad scope of the mission.
• Giving, prayer, and volunteer opportunities are made clear.
• The feeds tell the story of what the mission does and who it serves.
• The feeds develop/strengthen the mission's "brand."  

Please note that social media will be judged in its current state during the judging period in 2021.