The Caples Awards are open to any agency, client or individual involved in direct marketing and relationship marketing communication throughout the world. Entries cannot be made without permission from the advertiser/owner with rights of the advertisement. All Caples entries must be created within the context of a normal paying contract with a client, wherein the client paid for all or the majority of the media costs. The only exceptions are in the nonprofit categories and agency self-promotion.

Entry form

All entries must be submitted online.

Each entry for all categories requires the following:

• Definition of benefit
• Response mechanism (except where noted)
• A measurable response elicited (excluding the Direct Mail, Customer Retention and Retention/Loyalty, non-mail categories); campaigns may combine non-response and response elements

Please refer to each category for specific information required.

At the beginning of your entry submission, you will be asked to:

Select the type of work you will be submitting

• Single is one element.
• Campaign requires two or more elements in the same media.

NOTE: If you are submitting an integrated campaign, you will need two or more elements in at least two different media.

• Technique is a specialty category that ANY entry can submit (for an additional fee). Technique will be judged solely on the strength of copy or art direction, so within that category, a single print ad could compete against a multi-media campaign for best art direction.

Select your target

• Consumer
• Business
• Nonprofit

Select your Use of media/Technique

See Use of media and Technique Awards categories and requirements on pages 5-8.

Provide entry details

• Title/Headline
• Product/Service
• Target audience

Describe market problem

The philosophy and focus of Caples is on the power of creativity to address and overcome marketing problems, so please answer this section carefully. Each entry is required to include a market problem addressing the following:

• Target audience
• Marketing problem
• Objective
• Solution

The response is limited to 300 words. Results are not required but the inclusion of them may help the judges. As the Caples judges are international, please ensure your market problem is clear and concise.

Please do not include your agency name in this section as this may result in disqualification.

Eligibility period

All entries must have appeared in the market between September 26, 2010 and October 2, 2011.

Entry fees

The single entry fee is $295. The campaign entry fee is $345. Each entry form requires a separate entry fee. A technique entry is $295.

Deadline for entries

The deadline for entries is Monday, September 26, 2011. Entries which have not been submitted online, marked as final and paid in full by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 26 will be considered late.

Late entries

Late entries will be received until Monday, October 3, 2011. However, those entries received after September 26 will incur a late fee of $70 per entry.

Support materials

Support materials are mandatory for all entries. This will enable you to expand on the success of your entry. Support materials for each category will vary. Refer to each category for any specific support material required. Samples and packaging must not include markings which identify the creative group or agency, with the exception of self-promotion entries. Some examples include letterheads, visible watermarks, labels, marks on carrier envelopes containing the entries, credits in the code of digital entries, or leads on video.

Clear translations are required for all work which is not completed in English. Country idioms that may not be understood universally must be explained.

All support materials must be clearly identified and contained in an individual package. Companies sending multiple entries can use a large package for delivery purposes, but each individual entry must be contained in its own package with the corresponding entry number clearly marked on the outside.

Support material types

Digital

Digital entries must include all assets (websites, banner ads, e-mail, etc.)

• Websites/Microsites: required to upload and remain an accessible asset through December 31, 2011
• Banner ads/E-mail: required to upload gif file
• Video: required to upload in wmv format, file size no larger than 15MB, and a play time around three minutes
• Audio: required to upload as an MP3 file, file size no larger than 15MB, and a play time around three minutes

All materials must be PC and MAC compatible

Printed materials/Collateral

Printed materials and collateral entry materials must be included as complete actual sets. If complete live samples are not available, you may submit a presentation board.

• Live samples: two complete sets, as distributed or displayed
• Presentation board: maximum size of the board is A2 (16.5"x 23.4") flush mounted on cardboard, not foam board

Required to include examples of each channel employed

Single entries require one presentation board

Campaign entries require two presentation boards

All campaigns are limited to 5 unique element samples

Multiple entries

Individual components may be entered as single entries. If you enter any component in more than one category, we strongly suggest you adapt your market problem to fit the category you are entering.

You must also submit a separate set of support materials for each category entered.

Online entry submission

All entries must be submitted and paid for online. You may enter your entry information and save as a "draft" to return at a later date and submit payment. Please ensure your entry is marked as "final" in order to proceed with payment. Credit cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Entries which are not paid prior to judging will not be considered.

Once all entry information is prepared, visit caples.org/enter to submit your entries.

Where to send support materials

Entries should be shipped via air courier and classified as business documents. Do not declare a value on your entry shipment. Otherwise, your shipment may be delayed at customs. All support materials should include a shipping form printed from the entry system once your entry is paid and processed. The label must be affixed to the outside of the package and a copy of each completed entry form included inside. If you are shipping multiple entries in one package, please ensure each entry is clearly marked with the entry ID number and includes the printed online entry form.

Ship complete support materials to:

Attn: Eva Chan
John Caples International Awards
Haymarket Media
114 W. 26th St., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001

Returning support materials

The Caples Awards will not return any support materials. Also, due to the volume of materials received, the Caples Awards cannot confirm receipt of support materials. Therefore, it is advised you use a form of traceable delivery if you want to confirm receipt.