Entry period opens for 2012 Wilbur Awards

Religion Communicators Council to accept submissions until Feb. 6.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) has begun accepting entries for the 2012 Wilbur Awards. Secular communicators have until Feb. 6 to submit work produced during 2011 for consideration in one of the oldest recognition programs in religion communication.

The council has presented Wilbur Awards annually since 1949. They honor excellence by individuals in secular media – print and online journalism, book publishing,broadcasting, and motion pictures – in communicating religious issues, values and themes. Winners in 2011 represented The Christian Science Monitor, St. Petersburg Times, Courier-Journal, Vanity Fair, CBS News, Simon and Schuster Publishing House, motion picture producers; local radio and television stations; blogs and other electronic media authors; and book authors.

The 2012 awards are to be presented April 14 in Philadelphia, PA, during the council's national convention. Winners receive a handcrafted stained-glass trophy and national recognition for their work.

Secular communicators may enter work in 8 categories. Juries of media professionals coordinated by RCC members across the country evaluate submissions on content, creativity, impact and excellence in communicating religious values.

The award is named for the late Marvin C. Wilbur, a pioneer in religious public relations and longtime council leader. The awards are underwritten by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) thisyear.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is engaged in mission activities that seek to alleviate hunger, foster self-development, respond to disasters, build communities, preach the gospel, heal the sick, and educate new generations for the future.

For more information on the Wilbur competition or entry details, go to the Wilbur Awards page

About the Religion Communicators Council:

The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith association of more than 500 religion communicators working in print and electronic communication, advertising, and public relations. Members represent Bahá'í, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faith communities. Founded in 1929, the council is the oldest public relations professional association in the United States.

Contact:Shirley Struchen, sstruchen@rcn.com or (212) 870-2402.