Professional Contest

• Eligibility & General Rules

• Format Instructions

• Competition Categories

Professional Contest Eligibility & General Rules

The awards competition is open to work originated and published, broadcast or posted online in Wisconsin, by a state-based media outlet, during the year ending December 31, 2024. Eligible entries in writing, graphics and photography categories must have appeared in general circulation daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly publications, or have originated from a local wire service bureau or website using the highest journalistic principles and standards. Material produced for paid placement is not eligible. Entrants need not be Milwaukee Press Club members.

Freelance entries must be approved by the supervising editor of the Wisconsin media outlet that published, posted or aired the entry. A letter from that supervising editor must be uploaded along with the entry.

There is no limit to the number of entries that may be submitted in each category. Contest judges may reassign an entry to a category that appears more appropriate or eliminate it from competition at their discretion.

The same work may not be entered in more than one category. Exceptions: where indicated and where multiple samples are requested.

The following are NOT eligible to enter the Milwaukee Press Club Awards: company publications intended primarily for and distributed solely to employees, their associates and customers; print or digital newsletters; marketing and promotional newspapers, magazines and websites.

Out-of-state journalists and educators will serve as judges for the contest. Judges have the discretion to decide how many awards will be given in each category.

Each plaque is limited to six names. If you list more than six names on your entry form, the first six names will be engraved on the plaque. Please provide phonetic spelling (or pronouncers) for each of the entrants first and last names so they are announced correctly at the awards ceremony.

You are granting permission to the Milwaukee Press Club to use winning entries on its website, in its annual publication Once A Year, and for display at the MPC Gridiron Awards Dinner. Copyright remains with the originating news organization.

Professional entry fee (per entry):

• $40 Early bird entry fee for entries submitted and the checkout process completed by Fri., Jan. 24, 2025
• $50 Entry fee after Jan. 24 and by 5 pm Fri. Feb. 7, 2025
• Entries will NOT be accepted after 5 pm on Feb. 7, 2025
• **NEW** $10 RESUBMITTING FEE for each entry that must be resubmit due to a mistake by the submitting media organization.

If you have questions, please contact Lexie Deblitz at lexie@milwaukeepressclub.org.

DEADLINE: All entries must be submitted and the checkout process completed by 5 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7, 2025. NO EXCEPTIONS.

NOTE: YOU MUST COMPLETE THE CHECKOUT PROCESS BY THE DEADLINE or your entry will be disqualified. Once you have submitted all your entries go to the “Contest” tab and then “View Contest Submissions” then checkout and pay via the cart.