1. The Dog and Pony Show. We are looking for Mr./Ms. Show Biz; those that have taken new business PowerPoint presentations to the level of Broadway musical. Staging, lighting, the right bagels, we are looking for those that have planned and successfully managed the winning presentation. Moreover, we want to recognize especially that rare individual who makes the mark's "dreams come true." It is these select individuals that add the appearance of genuine passion to our profession. In this category we honor those special characters who can cry real tears for things they truly care very little about.

2. Arresting Creative. We are looking for those whose ideas stop us in our tracks. Not the typical "water is wet" campaigns; rather, we want to acknowledge those things mind numbingly banal.

This category is probably the single most prestigious. It cuts to the heart of the modern condition. We are looking for those individuals with a knack for engendering paralyzing existential angst. Among us are those rare practitioners who with a passing glance can bring us to spontaneously drool, whose specious programs regularly stimulate thoughts of suicide, and such.

3. Program Tenure. We are looking for account longevity sans results. We are looking for examples of those "special" client relationships, i.e. the golf buddy, the relative, the bimbo, etc. Or on the other hand, there's the agency that "knows too much" to get fired. We are looking for those individuals who been able to secure a client by his proverbials and hold him there with white-glove professional aplomb.

4. Ethical Gymnastics. We are looking for those that can clearly see client green in light of any ethically challenging situation. Among us are those who can turn carcinogens into supplements, who can make an oil spill smell like roses. Certainly, this is what we do daily, but it is most assuredly something in which some among us particularly excel.

5. "Value" Account Management. We are looking for those special CEO protégés who believe and put into practice "value billing." We honor those in our profession, who without the slightest reservation, can make a value judgment and appropriately adjust a client bill (up). We are not interested in the typical padding an AE does to keep their hours high, but truly the stuff that requires legal courage.

This year we are also testing a 6th category, the "Rubel Wind Special Mention." Starting this year we recognize those who've broke "Wind" in the blogosphere. We are looking for those special evangelists of the inane and indelible Me2Revolution.

WHO: All professional public relations and communications practitioners, either on the corporate side or agency, either self-employed or unemployed, whatever... as pretty much anyone can call themselves a PR practitioner, anyone is eligible.

[Note: For the purpose of the Gold Strumpette Awards Competition, a public relations "program" is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, amorphous campaign or loose collection of initiatives that may involve a variety of publicity, collateral material (audio, visual, and/or print), even advertising. Pretty much any initiative used to bamboozle or sway an otherwise innocent target audience, is fair game.]

HOW TO: Nomination and summary of "accomplishments" should be emailed to Contact above.

It should be accompanied by: A nomination by someone in the profession, along with support letters from two other individuals who had knowledge and involvement of/with the extraordinary individual's accomplishment/contribution. Forget that, entries can be anonymous but be sure to make your accusations in clear, complete and concise terms that illustrate why the candidate warrants further evaluation by the Strumpette Honors & Awards Committee.

WHEN: Strumpette will be accepting nominations starting today and continuing on for the duration. The winner(s) will be recognized on an ongoing basis.

So... Toot your horn! Here's your chance to goose your boss! Go Ahead! In the drunken words of a former award recipient, "Stumpette, Strumpette it good!"

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