Genesis Awards Frequently Asked Questions

Who can enter a piece in the Genesis competition?

To submit an entry in Genesis, you must be a member of CAST, with your dues paid for the current calendar year. Whether you’re a freelance designer or writer, a member of an advertising agency or marketing communications group, a printer, or anyone else involved in communications, you’re eligible to enter the Genesis competition.

If other people in my company/organization are CAST members, does that automatically make me a member as well?

The fact that other members of your company or organization are CAST members does not automatically make you a member. CAST offers membership at five levels: individual; student; organization (three members from the same company/group); organization plus (four or more members from the same company/group); and individual dual (CAST and IAPHC). If you’re an individual member, chances are you have filled out your membership form yourself and so you know you are a member. If you’re part of a group, please check with the other members of your company/organization to see if your name was included in the list of members when the membership form was submitted.

You can also review the current membership listing on the web. Note that this listing is password protected. In addition, you can contact the current CAST Secretary at secretary@castmembers.org. They will review the list and let you know if you’re included in your organization’s membership.

I’m a freelance illustrator; can I enter pieces in Genesis?

Yes, freelance writers, designers, illustrators, photographers, and others can enter pieces in Genesis. If you wish to enter a piece you worked on as part of a team, we recommend that you check with your fellow team members to make sure that two or more of you are not submitting the same entry in the same category, as only one will be allowed.

If I designed a piece last year but it’s not printed yet, can I still enter it?

As long as the bulk of the work on that project was completed in the previous year, you can enter the piece in Genesis. Since it’s important that you show how this piece will be used, you must submit a comp of the piece with your entry if the printed piece is not available by the entry deadline.

If part of the work on a project was performed outside the Southern Tier, can I still enter the piece in Genesis?

If the majority of the work was performed by members in the Southern Tier, an entry can be submitted in the Genesis competition. The “Southern Tier” includes Binghamton, Norwich, Elmira, Ithaca, Cortland, and surrounding areas within New York. If you have questions about whether a specific location qualifies as part of the Southern Tier, please email Genesis co-chairs at genesis@castmembers.org.

 

I’m a freelancer. Do I need a signed release from my client to submit the piece I created for hire for him/her, or am I the sole proprietor because I created the work?

You don’t need a signed release in this case. However, if you performed work for a company or organization, we highly recommend that you check with your client to ensure that they don’t object to your entering that piece. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that your client is not submitting the same entry in the same category, as only one submission will be allowed.

Why do we need to fill out the "sole proprietorship" section of the entry form?

The intent of the Genesis awards competition is to recognize and reward creative excellence in the legitimate everyday workplace of communications. Occasionally, an entry is submitted that appears to have been created outside the acceptable geographic area; this type of work will not be accepted. By completing the "sole proprietorship" statement on the entry form, you are giving the Genesis Committee and judges your word that the entry you submit is your work or that of the group you have identified on the entry form.

What is black matte board and where do I get it?

Black matte board is a black-faced, dull-finished board available at art and craft stores. Some office supply and super centers also carry this product.

Can black foam core be used for entries rather than black matte board?

Yes, black foam core (which is also available at art, craft, office supply, and some super center stores) is perfectly acceptable instead of black matte board.

How do I prepare my pieces for entry?

Please follow the instructions listed in the “How to Enter by Category” section of the Call for Entries.

Can I enter more than one piece in the same category?

You may enter as many items in one category as you wish.

Can I enter the same item more than once in the same category?

No, you cannot enter the same item more than once in the same category. For instance, you cannot enter a television ad in both the “Single Ad” and “Campaign” subcategories of the “Television Advertising” main category.

Does an entry in the Outstanding Student Contribution category have to be a piece produced for use in the “real world,” or can it be something the student created for a class project or school activity?

Entries in this category must have been produced for use in the real world. Students who are CAST members can enter pieces on their own. A CAST member can submit a piece on a student’s behalf, as long the student created the project for that member (individual or organization).

I’m confused about what category I should choose for a particular piece. Where can I go for help?

Carefully review the Call for Entries. If you still have questions, please email the Genesis co-chairs at genesis@castmembers.org.

When and where can I drop off my entries?

Refer to the Call for Entries for dates, times and location.

If you wish to mail your entries, please contact the Genesis co-chairs at genesis@castmembers.org before you put anything in the mail.

If I don’t have my affidavits together by the entry deadline, can I still enter?

If the item you are submitting requires an affidavit, you must provide that at the time of drop-off. The Genesis Committee WILL NOT accept entries pending an affidavit.

If I don’t have my entry fee together by the entry deadline, can I still enter?

Entry fees are due at the time of drop-off. The Genesis Committee WILL NOT accept entries pending complete payment.

What should I bring with me when I drop off my entries?

Prepare your submissions as indicated on the Call for Entries, carefully following the “How to Enter” section. Bring these entries along with the duplicate copies of your Entry Forms stapled together (you don’t need to separate Part 1 from Part 2), your completed List of Entries, your payment, and any affidavits that are necessary for your submissions. If you haven’t already paid your current membership dues, you must bring that payment (please bring a separate check) with you.

Can you explain the point system used for judging?

Genesis judges evaluate each entry in terms of its creativity, execution, and effectiveness in meeting its stated objectives (this is why the objectives are so important). Judges assign a point score to each item using a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest. The judges’ scores are then added together and the aggregate score is reviewed against minimum standards developed in each category for an entry to qualify for first, second, or third place. Where two items have an identical score, each will receive the same award.

I’ve been at the awards event when a category had a second place winner, but not a first place winner. How does that happen?

Because minimum standards are in place, it is possible that no item entered in a category will receive enough points to qualify even for third-place status. Also, it may happen that no item in a category scores enough points to achieve first place, but entries do gain enough points to qualify for second and/or third. 

How is Best of Show selected?

The Best of Show award-winning entry is selected from among all the first-place winners. Traditionally, it is the item receiving the greatest number of points from all the judges.

I’ve heard we’ll be awarding Judge’s Choice awards. How are those selected?

The Genesis Committee offers each judge the opportunity to select one entry as a Judge's Choice Award Winner. This entry may not have placed in the competition, but it did stand out to the judge for a particular reason. Perhaps the judge was impressed with the printing of a piece, or maybe the judge thought a photograph was extraordinary ... the reasoning was left up to each judge.

The Call for Entries indicates that Genesis is a mix-and-mingle event. What does that mean?

By mix-and-mingle, we mean there is no sit-down dinner. Rather, you can enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and dinner selections (from food stations and circulating staff) and drinks while you roam among your colleagues and the award entries (just like a gallery show). There will also be a cash bar. Tables will be available so you can sit down while you eat if you wish, but there will be no seating chart. Nor will there be a formal presentation. Instead, we’ll highlight the award-winning entries throughout the evening.

Where is Terra Cotta Catering?

Terra Cotta Catering is located at 81 State Street in Downtown Binghamton. It is right next to Java Joe’s, in the Stephens Square building.

Where should I park for Genesis?

The Collier Street Parking Ramp is probably the most convenient parking location for the event.

Will I get my entry/entries back after the event?

Please pick up your entry/entries when the Genesis event ends. All entries not claimed that evening will be recycled.

How might I benefit from entering in the Genesis competition?

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider submitting your best work in Genesis:

 

Is there any benefit to bringing a client to Genesis?

Here are a few potential benefits of bringing a client to Genesis:

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