Entry period opens for 2017 Wilbur Awards

Religion Communicators Council to accept submissions until Feb. 6.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is accepting entries for the 2017 Wilbur Awards. Secular communicators have until Feb. 6, 2017 to submit work produced during 2016 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, positive values and themes.

Winners in 2016 represented: Multimedia, CNN’s John Blake; CBS News Sunday Morning, Jane Pauley; Religion Dispatches, Jacob J. Erickson; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Betsy Hiel; The Associated Press, Didi Tang; HarperOne; Vanity Fair Magazine; CBS Television News; Religion News Service as well as motion picture producers, bloggers, and book authors.

The 2017 awards will be presented April 1 in Chicago, IL, 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 seven categories. Juries of media professionals coordinated by Religion Communication Council 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. For more information on the Wilbur competition or entry details, go to the Wilbur Awards page on the RCC web site.

About the Religion Communicators Council

The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith association of more than 400 religion communicators working in print and electronic communication, advertising, and public relations. Members represent diverse faith communities. Founded in 1929, the council is the oldest public relations professional association in the United States.

Questions? Contact Shirley Struchen, SStruchen@rcn.com or 212-870-2402.