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Press Release Awards 2026: Call for Entries Starts

The Press Release Awards 2026, organized by PR TIMES Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Minato-ku; CEO: Takuji Yamaguchi; TSE Prime: 3922), is officially open for entries starting June 30, 2026. This exciting event aims to reflect on the accomplishments and communications of the past year, recognizing contributions from all those involved in the process.

Event Overview

The submission period for the awards is from June 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM to August 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM. All press releases issued between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, are eligible for submission, regardless of whether they were distributed through PR TIMES. Participants may submit multiple press releases, with a separate entry form required for each.

Purpose of the Press Release Awards 2026

Initiated in 2021, the Press Release Awards celebrate the perseverance and creativity of PR professionals and highlight the importance of effective communication in society. As we approach our sixth event, we are proud to note that a total of over 9,500 entries have been submitted in the past five editions. Every submission represents a commitment to thoughtful communication, and we extend our deepest respect to each contributor.

Often, awards are seen solely as a platform for recognition, focusing on winning. However, we envision the Press Release Awards as a space not solely dedicated to evaluating press releases but also one where participants can reflect on their yearly achievements. Every press release tells a story of meticulous information gathering, strategic discussions, and word choices that cannot be measured by results alone.

An Opportunity to Reflect

We want the Press Release Awards to serve as a chance for all professionals to look back on their journey over the past year and appreciate the efforts of colleagues both inside and outside their organizations. These awards are designed to honor everyone engaged in the challenge of crafting compelling narratives.

To facilitate this reflection, we have introduced a temporary save feature on our entry forms, allowing participants to complete their submissions at a comfortable pace. Additionally, we are preparing a My Page feature that will enable users to view past entries from 2021 to 2025, expected to launch between mid-August and early September.

Upgraded Special Site

This year, we have revamped our special site with a fresh, inviting design, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all PR professionals. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where participants feel valued and can engage proudly with their work.

Acknowledging Invisible Efforts

As part of our commitment to honoring the unseen hard work involved in crafting a press release, we will again present Entry Certificates to participants. This token of appreciation acknowledges the collective effort and dedication of everyone involved in the release process.

Award Categories

The Press Release Awards will not simply aim to crown a single champion; instead, we will recognize exemplary press releases across various categories. These awards seek to honor individuals and organizations of all sizes—whether large corporations, small enterprises, local governments, or non-profits. This year, we will present awards in ten categories:
1. Innovative Award – for the most creative and expansive press release.
2. Influence Award – recognizing the press release that has had the most positive impact.
3. Social Award – for contributions that foster community connections.
4. Public Award – honoring releases that prioritize transparency and trust.
5. Empathy Award – celebrating the press release that most effectively resonates with its audience.
6. Human Award – for expressions of passion and dedication towards products, employees, and customers.
7. Story Award – recognizing press releases that contain compelling narratives worth telling.
8. Local Award – for releases that enhance the charm of local regions.
9. Great Step Award – aimed at those who communicated despite historical reluctance.
10. Special Award – acknowledging releases that may not fit other categories but deserve recognition.

Best 101 Recognition

In addition to awards, we will also announce the “Best 101” press releases, which have shown particular promise and innovation. This designation highlights the entries that advance the potential of press releases and will be celebrated at the awards ceremony alongside judges' comments.

Conclusion

The Press Release Awards aim to honor the hard work and creativity that goes into every press release. By participating, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on their past year of communication efforts, understanding that every release is a testament to collective effort. We eagerly await to celebrate all the achievements encapsulated in the submissions.

We invite everyone to join this journey of recognition and reflection in 2026. For more information about the awards and the entry process, please visit our dedicated website.