Judging

Submissions will be evaluated based on the creative strength of the idea or concept, as well as the quality of the execution. There are three award levels in most categories: Gold and Silver are recognized with physical awards; Merit is recognized but does not receive a physical award.

For the Craft category, there is no Gold, Silver or Merit – it is a single-tiered recognition for exceptional work in Art Direction and Copywriting. Fearless Client is also a single award, for the client that demonstrates an outstanding appetite for risk. Best of Show Award goes to one entry chosen by judges from all eligible categories based on its creative excellence.

The ICE Awards uses a blind judging format, whereby the entrants’ names will not be revealed to the judges until the Awards Ceremony.

To ensure complete impartiality, judging will be carried out by up to six independent judges from outside Atlantic Canada. No judge is affiliated with a regional agency to the best of the ICE Awards’ Judging Committee’s knowledge. Judges are industry-recognized professionals who are selected based on their credentials and experience with advertising creative and/or graphic design.

Get to know the jury

Note: Any Integrated Campaigns done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

Integrated Campaign: Any advertising campaign that uses a minimum of three different mediums/platforms to promote a product, service, or brand.

TV Campaign (30 Seconds or Under): Any advertisement campaign on broadcast television. Please provide video stills with entry.
Note: Any TV campaigns done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

TV Campaign (Over 30 Seconds / Longform): Any advertisement campaign on broadcast television. Please provide video stills with entry.
Note: Any TV campaigns done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

TV Single (30 Seconds or Under): Any advertisement single on broadcast television. Please provide video stills with entry.
Note: Any TV singles done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

TV Single (Over 30 Seconds / Longform): Any advertisement single on broadcast television. Please provide video stills with entry.
Note: Any TV singles done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

(NEW) Breakthrough on a Budget: Any TV/Film campaign making an impact on a limited budget. Please note your total budget and limitations in your submission.

(NEW) Music/Sound Design: Any use of music or sound design in a campaign for broadcast television or online. To be entered by or on behalf of the musician or technician.

(NEW) Videography/Direction: Best use of videography or direction in a campaign for broadcast television or online. To be entered by or on behalf of the videographer or director.

(NEW) Animation: Any use of animation in a broadcast and non-broadcast video, on television or online. To be entered by or on behalf of the production studio or animator.

Note: Any Digital work done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

Online Video Campaign (30 Seconds or Under): Any video campaign created specifically for online.
If the same campaign also aired on TV it is not eligible in this Digital category, and should be entered in Film.

Online Video Campaign (Over 30 Seconds / Longform): Any video campaign created specifically for online.
If the same campaign also aired on TV it is not eligible in this Digital category, and should be entered in Film.

Online Video Single (30 Seconds or Under): Any video created specifically for online.
If the same campaign also aired on TV it is not eligible in this Digital category, and should be entered in Film.

Online Video Single (Over 30 Seconds / Longform): Any video created specifically for online.
If the same campaign also aired on TV it is not eligible in this Digital category, and should be entered in Film.

Social Media: Any campaign using social media platforms to drive, enhance or spread awareness to a brand. Includes the use of influencers.

User-Generated Content: Any campaign that encourages an audience to contribute/collaborate with a brand initiative or campaign by any means online.

Online Display Campaign: Static or interactive online banner ad campaign. Examples include: desktop and mobile.

Website: Any website for a product, service, brand or specific advertising campaign or promotion.

Apps/Mobile: Any mobile apps or mobile-first experience. Entries will be judged based on design and functionality.

Games: Any program using gamification to connect people to a brand.

(NEW) Breakthrough on a Budget: Any Digital campaign making an impact on a limited budget. Please note your total budget and limitations in your submission.

Note: Any Out of Home work done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

Out of Home Single: Any paid media single to reach consumers outside of their homes. Examples include: billboards, transit shelters, digital screens, street furniture, etc.

Out of Home Campaign: Any paid media campaign to reach consumers outside of their homes. Examples include: billboards, transit shelters, digital screens, street furniture, etc.

Ambient: Non-standard format advertising that cannot be separated from its environment. Executions include but are not limited to: non-traditional outdoor advertising, floor advertising, wraps, wall murals, coasters, clings on mirrors, etc.

Experiential: Any out of home program created to ensure consumers have a direct experience with a brand through live events, guerrilla marketing, merchandising, samplings, stunts, sponsorships, competitions, etc.

(NEW) Point of Purchase: Any piece of communication with a direct connection and proximity to point of sale with the intent of swaying last-minute purchasing decisions.

Poster Single: Promotional print poster for events, products or services.

Poster Campaign: Promotional print poster campaign for events, products or services.

(NEW) Breakthrough on a Budget: Any Out of Home campaign making an impact on a limited budget. Please note your total budget and limitations in your submission.

Note: Any Print work done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

Print Single: Paid print media single placed in publications such as newspapers or magazines.

Print Campaign: Paid print media campaigns placed in publications such as newspapers or magazines.

Logo: Any logo design for an existing or new brand/company.

Brand Identity: Any full brand identity package extending a brand design to a number of components and touch points.

Packaging: Any packaging design or labeling of a consumer product.

Print Collateral: Any design for the use of printed materials. Examples include but are not limited to: Annual reports, posters, booklets, brochures, catalogues, business cards.

Typography: Any use of typography within a design project to achieve the brand’s desired intent/communicate campaign messaging. May include compelling use of existing typefaces, original typeface design, or illustrated lettering.

(NEW) Illustration: Any use of illustration in a print, digital or branding package.

(NEW) Photography: Any use of photography in a print or digital campaign or branding package. To be entered by or on behalf of the photographer.

Spatial/Environment: The design/creation of a brand’s visual identity and experience. Examples include but are not limited to: storefronts, retail spaces, restaurants, office interiors.

Note: Any Radio work done for charities or nonprofits should only be entered into the Public Service category.

Radio/Digital Audio Single: Any radio/audio single broadcast on commercial radio or audio streaming platforms. Please provide a script with your entry.

Radio/Digital Audio Campaign: Any radio/audio campaign broadcast on commercial radio or audio streaming platforms. Please provide scripts with your entry.

This category includes any work done for the greater good of the community, usually through non-profit organizations, charities, community associations, sustainability efforts, environmental initiatives, and cultural groups. Note: Unless specifically stated you can enter Public Service work in other categories that suit a piece of work (ex: Craft Awards, Design Awards, Other, Fearless Client, Videography, etc.)

Integrated Campaign: Any campaign that uses a minimum of three different mediums to promote a product, service or brand.

TV Ads (Single or Series): Any advertisement campaign or single on broadcast television. Please provide video stills with entry.

Radio Ads (Single or Series): Any radio/audio campaign or single broadcast on commercial radio or audio streaming platforms. Please provide a script with your entry.

Out of Home (Single or Series): Any paid media to reach consumers outside of their homes. Examples include but are not limited to: billboards, transit shelters, digital screens, street furniture, ambient and experiential efforts.

Print (Single or Series): Any paid print media placed in publications such as newspapers or magazines.

Digital (Single or Series): Includes any work in online video, social media, online display ads, websites, apps/mobile.

Self-Promotion: Any work in any medium created solely to promote an agency’s or individual’s own brand or services. Work entered in this category cannot be entered in any other category.

Direct: Any advertising program that targets a specific audience. Includes pieces delivered via mail, messenger, handouts, postings, etc.

(NEW) Public Relations: Any work or campaigns that use PR as a creative tool to reach the masses. Judges will be looking for innovative and creative ‘PR first’ ideas – those which prioritize the effective use of PR strategy to communicate the brand message.

(NEW) Reactive Advertising: Any campaign that uses the popularity of a specific news story, viral video or event in popular culture to generate maximum positive coverage for a brand in real time.

(NEW) Promo (Single or Series): Any communication or program that incites the target to directly participate or interact with the brand (e.g. stunts, sampling, coupons, live events).

Young Creatives Competition

This brief-based competition is open to students and creatives under 30 years of age who live in one of the four Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador).

The winning entry will be announced at the ICE awards gala at the Light House Arts Centre in Halifax on October 3. In addition to their award, the winning entry will be displayed on $5,000 worth of billboard/transit space advertising (donated by Pattison Outdoor).

CLIENT: Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

BACKGROUND
More than one in four (28%) Canadians report their mental health symptoms affect their daily functioning, marking the highest percentage recorded since the middle of the pandemic. We need the support of our generous donors to ensure Nova Scotians living with mental disorders have access to support where they need it, when they need it. With the support of our generous donors, The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia have provided more than 8.5 million dollars to mental health initiatives in Nova Scotia since 2003 — but each year the demand for financial support grows. You can ensure help is there when these Nova Scotians need mental health support in our communities.

The holiday season can be especially challenging and stressful for many people and something as small as reading kind words can lift people for the day. Messages of Kindness is about more than a donation; it is an opportunity to give back and spread kindness to those who need it the most and acts like a beacon of hope during the holiday season.

WHY ARE WE HERE
Messages of Kindness is an annual campaign that runs during the Evergreen Festival (late November – December) which asks people to make a donation and leave a message of kindness for others. It has been successful the last three years, but it really needs a push. Right now, we have two matching partners, Killam Apartments and Southwest Properties. They each give $5k and promote it internally. There is also a tree at the Brewery Market where the messages are displayed. This year we are expanding beyond the physical tree and adding a website to display the messages of kindness. We believe this would encourage more donations and allow more people to read the inspirational messages. Celebrate Giving Tuesday with a Message of Kindness — Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia (mentalhealthns.ca)

THE ASK
Create a campaign to help raise funds and inspire more Messages of Kindness.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
All Nova Scotians are either affected directly or indirectly by mental health and a growing number of younger people are suffering from depression and anxiety. The Messages of Kindness campaign wants to reach as many Nova Scotians as possible as a little help from everyone goes a long way.

WHAT IS THE ONE MESSAGE FOR THIS COMMUNICATION?
The holiday season is supposed to be happy, yet it’s often the hardest time of year for those who struggle with their mental health. We know that kindness and empathy are pillars of recovery. Your donation supports mental health initiatives across the province, while your message encourages hope, light, and a sense of connection that can make a world of a difference to someone.

WHAT ARE THE MANDATORIES (MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS)?
A campaign consisting of:

  • Billboards
  • Transit shelters


Can also include digital ads, sandwich board signs and other media, but these are not mandatory.

Background materials:

Download the Billboard/Transit submission specifications

Download the Mental Health Foundation of NS logos


HOW TO SUBMIT

There is no entry fee associated with the Young Creatives competition. In addition to the creative content, each entry must include:

  • Entrant’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Atlantic Canada mailing address


Send entries to
dchafe@atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca before 5 pm NT on July 12.



APPENDIX

https://www.mentalhealthns.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0KTRRFptjJ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1EyqOxLG55/

The craft awards recognize excellence in Art Direction and Copywriting. There are no award tiers (ex: Merit, Silver, Gold). Just a single award tier for work that stood out specifically in their respective disciplines.

Art Direction: Recognizing any campaigns or work that displays excellence in Art Direction.

Copywriting: Recognizing any campaigns or work that displays excellence in Copywriting.

This single award recognizes an advertiser or brand that demonstrates a tolerance for risk, and an appreciation for creativity that pushes boundaries. Please include a one-page written nomination as well as the relative creative. If the work is entered in other categories, please note the details and send it along with the nomination.

Not a submittable category, to be decided by the jury. A single piece of work that stands out above all the rest in the show based on its creative excellence.

Submission Guidelines

All entries are submitted digitally only. Hi-res, final files are to be submitted for judging. These files will be used for publication, if selected as a winner.

Multiple-page PDFs are allowed and are recommended over uploading individual PDF files.

CLICK TO ENTER (deadline extended to 5 pm AST, Friday, June 14)

ENTRY FEES

Single Entry: $150.00
Campaign: $200.00

DISCOUNT FOR MICRO AGENCIES:

We’re offering a special entry discount for DIY design shops (i.e. lone wolf creative agencies where the owner/operator does everything from concept development to design and production). Contact Dawn for the discount code.

MAIN ENTRY FILES

REQUIRED

Your Main Entry File(s) must clearly show the creative to be judged (ideally with no additional graphics) in hi-res format.

PERMITTED

SINGLE | 1 File:
A single ad, design or promotional unit – Such as a print ad, advertorial piece, website, logo, package, poster, TV, radio spot, etc.

CAMPAIGN | 9 files maximum
Up to 9 applications/units from an entire campaign to promote an event, brand, product, service or business.

IMPORTANT NOTE RE MULTI-PAGE PDFS: Use a PDF with multiple pages to incorporate any additional images while still adhering to the maximum number of media (or applications) allowed (e.g. the images in context, various views from an event, etc.).

NOT PERMITTED

~ Case studies are not permitted as your Main Entry File. See below for more info.
~ Any files submitted should not identify the entrant information, except for self-promotion work.

ENTRY SUPPORT MATERIALS

Support Files are for clarity to assist the judges. They are not for publication (except where noted) and do not count towards the file limitations noted above. A maximum of 1 file/URL may be uploaded. Upload these to the “Entry Supporting Materials” sub-section of ENTRY MATERIALS on the entry form.

Please note these important required vs. optional Support Files for certain entries:

REQUIRED

~ For French or non-English entries:  English translations of important text (i.e. headlines, entry title) must be included to ensure they are given complete and fair consideration by the entire jury. Upload them as either a Support File or within a multi-page PDF as your Main Entry File.
~ Scripts for Radio/copywriting entries. Include an English script.

PERMITTED

~ Case studies: Unless otherwise specified, case study films are not required (as outcomes are not a criteria for judges in scoring). Case study films can be added ONLY as a Support File and should be limited to a maximum of 2 minutes. REMINDER: You must include the actual creative to be judged as the Main Entry File.
~ Explanatory notes for the judges: Although not recommended (except where noted in a category), brief descriptions/explanations of up to 50 words may be added for clarity for the judges

NOT PERMITTED

~ Entrant information: Do not add a watermark identifying the entrant on either the Main Entry Files or Support Files/URLs. EXCEPTION: self-promotion work is exempt.

ACCEPTABLE FILE FORMATS

STILLS:

File Format: PDF (recommended), JPG, PNG, GIF
File Size: 8-inches (or 2400 pixels) on the longest dimension
Resolution: Min. 300 DPI
Colour Mode: RGB
File Limit: Max. 5 MB per file (images/PDF).

AUDIO & VIDEO:

File Format: MP3, MP4, URL to a Video sharing site.
File Size: Max. 80 MB.
Sub-Titles/Scripts: Include sub-titles for non-English ads to the video, or upload translations as a support file.

IMPORTANT re MP4: Our system will resize video files to 800px wide keeping aspect ratio.

URL:

Include an active URL. Ensure it remains active until December 2024.
File sharing sites OK.
Password-protected URLs are not allowed.

RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES

Entries are judged online. Here’s how to help the judges:

  • A multi–page PDF is preferred over multiple, individual PDF files.
  • More is not better. Curate your images to the maximum indicated for each category, except where noted below.
  • Give judges the full picture at-a-glance. Use a multi-page PDF to show multiple views of 3D pieces, zoom in on small print or details and show complex/novel work in the context of the audience.
  • Where supporting information is requested, it is preferable to include it within a multi-page PDF as your Main Entry File.
  • Look at your entry on a smaller–screen and ensure all-important details are legible at that size, as that’s how a judge may be viewing it.
CLICK TO ENTER  (beginning May 3, 2024)

Eligibility

The ICE Awards are open to any company or individual located in one or more of the four Atlantic provinces (i.e. New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) engaged in creating and/or producing advertising, design pieces, websites, mobile applications, social media campaigns, photography or illustration. 

  • All entries must have been published, posted or aired between May 1, 2023 and June 7, 2024.
  • All entries must have been conceived and created in Atlantic Canada.
  • ICE Awards may request proof of initial publication, posting or airdate, as well as proof of creation or production dates.
  • Entries may be moved into other categories at the judges’ discretion without the prior approval or consent of the entrant.
  • Entries may be disqualified if not submitted according to the specifications.
  • Please ensure no agency identifying marks appear on your entries.
  • A written English translation must accompany any French language submission. Entries without translation to English will not be eligible for judging.
  • ICE Awards are not responsible for any entrant submission error. The decision of the jury and ICE Awards is FINAL.
  • The jury reserves the right to disqualify material not submitted according to specifications for each category, without notification or refund.
  • The entrant grants permission to show, duplicate, or play entries as ICE Awards deems appropriate.

In the event of duplicate entries, the first submission received will be accepted. No refunds will be issued so please check with your partners / agencies