TEN REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

The following will result in disqualification and entry fees will be forfeited.

1. Results not referenced.
All data, claims, facts, etc. presented anywhere in the entry form must reference a specific, verifiable source. This could be advertiser data, agency research or third party research companies. We reserve the right to verify the accuracy of the data with the source named.

Sources must be provided next to each piece of data or in clearly marked footnotes at the bottom of each relevant page of the entry form. Be as specific as possible in documenting all evidence; provide sources of data, research involved and the time period covered. Use the specific name of the company to reference a source except when the source is an agency company (Ad, Media or other agencies).

Because Effie is an agency-blind competition we require agency company research to be referenced via the term “Agency research.” However, you must still be as specific as possible about this source (time period covered, research involved, etc.)

2. Not enough information.
Not including examples of all creative materials discussed in the case brief and integral to the effort on the 4-minute creative reel. You must include at least one example of all creative detailed in the entry form that was integral to the case’s success on the 4-minute reel. For the Global Effie Awards, you must also make sure to include an example from each of the four countries you submit.

3. Agency name published in the Entry Form or on the creative materials.
Effie is an agency-blind competition — do not cite agency names anywhere in the entry form or creative materials. Do not cite your agency name (or any other Agency — Ad, Media, Digital or other — names) as your reference source. If an agency is the source of your research, reference “Agency Research”.

4. Including Results on the 4-minute creative reel.
You are not allowed to include results on the reel. Refer to the creative reel instructions in the Entry Kit.

5. Using logos, graphics or color fonts on the Entry Form.
Logos, graphics, pictorial elements, or other creative materials present in the Entry Form will not be accepted. Do NOT include screen grabs of your creative work in the written case. These should go on your 4-minute video. Colored fonts will not be accepted. All text that appears in the Entry Form must be in standard black font. It is fine (and recommended) to use readability style effects like bullets, bold, white space, etc. throughout the entry form.

(Note: Graphs and charts displaying data are acceptable and can be presented in color.)

6. Submitting handwritten or low-quality cases.
Make sure to have someone read your case and check for spelling. math and grammar errors as well as hyperbole, undocumented claims, etc. before you submit.

7. Ignoring spacing guidelines or deleting the instructions or questions from the entry form.
The official entry form is 7 pages, including questions and their instructions 1-9, minimum 10-point font. (The Global Effie Awards official entry form is 12 pages with questions 1-10). If you exceed the official number of pages, all additional material will be removed and will not be seen by judges. Brevity and clarity are much appreciated by judges.

8. Submitting an incomplete Entry Form.
You must fill out every section of the Entry Form – do not leave any blanks and do not delete any questions or instructions from the form itself. If a question is not applicable, you must state this directly by the question. Any question left blank will result in disqualification.

9. Missing Translation.
Creative materials submitted for consideration that are not in English require translation.

10. Missed Deadline.
Your entry materials either arrive or are incomplete in some way after Nov. 4, 2010. (Global deadline: TBA)

For more information, please refer to the 2011 Entry Kit.