Mercury Awards Judging Procedure

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JUDGING CRITERIA
The MERCURY Awards Competition is unique in that each entry is judged against itself, to the degree that the individual entry achieves its intended purpose. Entries from large or small organizations have an equal chance at winning. Judging is based not on budget, but on the values of creativity, effectiveness, performance and success as symbolized by the MERCURY Awards.

Some of the elements to be considered in the judging process are: how effectively the material meets the stated objectives; how well the material is communicated to the designated audience; use of imaginative and original solutions; the use of material to illustrate and clarify the information; and the overall expression of the message.

JUDGING PROCESS
Each entry is evaluated three times during the preliminary judging. The three set of scores are then averaged in to a single score for the individual entry. Awards are given to the top third scoring entries. Point totals will qualify entries for specific awards. Only one Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honors Award will be given in each classification; However, if no entry scores high enough, no award will be given. The Gold Award Winners become candidates for the Grand Awards. In addition, one Best of Show Award will be presented to the top entry among all the classifications.

SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT JUDGING
Each entry will be judged on its own merit without regard to apparent cost of producing the communications piece. Entries are judged in the absolute, according to a predefined set of criteria, each against itself, and wins honor for innate merits instead of relative superiorities.