Contest Information

  • NO entry fee. All entries must be submitted via the online entry system.
  • All entries are judged by Michigan broadcasters, except the High School Radio and Television Sports PSA Categories, which are judged by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
  • The judges will be asked to judge each entry based on the criteria listed in each category and how well it follows the category description. The judges will also be encouraged to give feedback on each entry. The feedback, when given, will be returned to the student after the competition
  • Awards may be given for 1st, 2nd and Honorable Mentions in each category. First place winners receive three (3) points; second place winners receive two (2) points; and Honorable Mentions receive one (1) point for each winning entry.
  • Great Lakes Media Show DATES! Awards will be presented on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 during the Main Luncheon at the Great Lakes Media Show at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing: GreatLakesMediaShow.com
  • Station/Program of the Year Award – The Station/Program of the Year award will be presented to the following: one high school radio station/program; one high school television station/program; one college radio station/program; and one college television station/program. To win the Station/Program of the Year award, the school must receive the most cumulative points in all categories entered. More than one station/program may be awarded the Station/Program of the Year award.

Contest Rules 

  • Up to four (4) different students may be credited on an entry, others may be added by contacting the MABF office if the entry is selected as a winner.
  • All Michigan college, high school and trade school students are welcome to enter.
  • Entries must have been created and produced from January 1, 2017 through December 19, 2017. 
  • All entries must be submitted via the online entry system.
  • Supplemental attachments for entries are accepted and may not exceed 10MB in size.  Accepted file types include: PDF, GIF, PNG, or JPG.  No other file types will be accepted. 
  • Please have back-up copies and be certain all links work and remain live.
  • Different categories must be on separate entries. Please complete a separate online submission for each entry. 
  • Only one entry per combination of up to four (4) students per category will be accepted, additional names for credit purposes may be added if the entry is selected as a winner. 
  • Entries must be completely created and produced by students. The creative concept of each entry must be original to the students submitting the entry. 
  • Each entry upload must be labeled with the category name, title of the entry, student(s) and school. 
  • Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in disqualification. 
  • All judge’s decisions are final. 
  • All entries must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. 
  • All entries become the property of MAB Foundation. Entries may be used for promotional purposes only. 
  • Questions: mabf@michmab.com or 517.484.7444.

RADIO CATEGORIES

  • Current Events Program – Current events program that is no more than five (5) minutes in length. Content should include current events or political events.  Criteria to be judged on: human interest, subject portrayal and production value.
  • Daily Newscast/News Feature – A newscast, sportscast or news feature that is no more than ten (10) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: presentation, production value, interest of stories presented and overall impact.
  • Updated! Innovations in Digital Media – Showcase how your program/station is using digital media in innovative ways. Entries should include one or more of the following: use of the internet, social media, mobile devices, apps, podcasts or other forms of digital media.  Entries must include an audio and/or visual presentation and a short explanation (300 words or less) in a PDF that also includes links for supporting information. Entries may include supplemental information, including images, audio/visual examples, screen-shots or links, etc.  Criteria to be judged on: innovation, creativity and effectiveness.
  • On-Air Personality or Team – Best on-air broadcast personality or broadcast team. Maximum length of entry is five (5) minutes. Criteria to be judged on: production value, effectiveness and creativity.
  • Promotional Announcement – A single spot promoting school, station, programs or community events that is no more than three (3) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.
  • Public Service Announcement – An announcement of general public interest not more than 60 seconds in length. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.
  • Sports Announcing Team – Broadcast of a sports announcing team at a sporting event that is no more than five (5) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: presentation and production value.
  • Talk Show – A talk show program that is no more than 30 minutes in length featuring issues of social importance, how-to programming or sports talk. Criteria to be judged on: presentation, production value and overall impact.
  • High School Only: Sports Public Service Announcement – A PSA that is 30 seconds in completed length promoting sportsmanship and officials recruitment. Content of winning entries may be used to produce a sports casting PSA to air statewide. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.
  • High School Only: Public Service Announcement – Sponsored by Ok2Say – An announcement regarding putting a stop to bullying not more than 60 seconds in length. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. Visit www.mi.gov/ok2say for topic suggestions. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

  • Current Events Program – Current events program that is no more than five (5) minutes in length. Content should include current events or political events.  Criteria to be judged on: human interest, subject portrayal and production value.
  • Daily Newscast – Best locally originated newscast, no more than 30 minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: presentation, production value, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the newscast.
  • Daily Sportscast – Best locally originated sportscast, no more than 30 minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: presentation, production value, interest of stories presented and overall impact of the sportscast.
  • Updated! Innovations in Digital Media – Showcase how your program/station is using digital media in innovative ways. Entries should include one or more of the following: use of the internet, social media, mobile devices, apps, podcasts or other forms of digital media.  Entries must include an audio and/or visual presentation and a short explanation (300 words or less) in a PDF that also includes links for supporting information. Entries may include supplemental information, including images, audio/visual examples, screen-shots or links, etc.  Criteria to be judged on: innovation, creativity and effectiveness.    
  • Hard News – Coverage of a significant event affecting the community, no more than five (5) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: significance, presentation of facts, thoroughness and delivery.
  • News Feature – A single report which may have aired in a newscast as relief or contrast to serious reporting or a long form program that is no more than ten (10) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: human interest, subject portrayal, creative writing, entertainment value and production value.
  • Documentary – A program focused on a single topic up to one-hour in time length.  Judges may only watch portions of entry.   Criteria to be judged on: significance, resourcefulness, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production value.
  • Public Service Announcement – An announcement of general public interest, not more than 60 seconds in length. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.
  • Sports Announcing Team – Broadcast of a sports announcing team at a sporting event that is no more than five (5) minutes in length. Criteria to be judged on: presentation and production value.
  • Talk Show/Scripted Show – A program that is no more than 30 minutes in length that can be a topic of choice. Criteria to be judged on: resourcefulness, creativity, comprehensiveness, thoroughness of research and production value. 
  • High School Only: Sports Public Service Announcement – A PSA that is 30 seconds in completed length promoting sportsmanship and officials recruitment. Content of winning entries may be used to produce a sports casting PSA to air statewide. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.
  • High School Only: Public Service Announcement – Sponsored by Ok2Say – An announcement regarding putting a stop to bullying not more than 60 seconds in length. Must be written, produced and aired on your station. Visit www.mi.gov/ok2say for topic suggestions. Criteria to be judged on: creativity, effectiveness and production value.