IR Impact Awards – US 2026The ultimate guide to writing an award-winning entry
Guidance and tips for writing an award-winning entry
Ready to make your mark?
Submit your entry for the IR Impact Awards – US 2026 by January 2!
The IR Impact Awards – US are the highest recognition for investor relations excellence. Often referred to as the 'Oscars of investor relations', these awards don’t just celebrate success – they set the standard. With a legacy dating back to 1996, they shine a spotlight on the companies and individuals truly setting the pace in the capital markets.
What makes these awards different? They combine the credibility of independent investor research with the insight and depth of expertly judged nominations. Whether voted on by investors and analysts or judged by a panel of IR experts and investment professionals, every category honors the strategy, influence and impact that define standout IR. Being nominated or winning sends a message your C-suite can’t miss: IR is delivering real, strategic impact.This guide will help you craft an awards-by-nomination entry that not only ticks the boxes but makes the judges take notice. We’ll show you how to bring your IR achievements to life on the page and maximize your chances of making the shortlist.
If you’re new to the IR Impact Awards, we recommend reading this guide from beginning to end. It walks you through exactly how to write an entry that stands out, from picking the right categories to framing your story and highlighting what matters most to the judges.
If you’ve entered before and are ready to get started, head to page 6 for information on key deadlines, the updated category criteria and two exciting new opportunities! Looking to fine-tune your entry? Turn to pages 15-18 for advice from the judges and examples of common mistakes to avoid.If you would like to learn more about the award-by-research process, please click here.
Great entries come from great IR. Our past winners didn’t just take home trophies, they delivered work that changed how their companies were seen, valued and supported in the market. Here are some of the stories the judges and the IR and investment communities have celebrated:
‘I love when investors start a meeting by showing me their streak’: Duolingo’s Debbie Belevan on life after an IPO
Winner of:
Best overall IR – mid cap in 2025
Best IRO – mid cap in 2025
Best in sector – technology in 2025
Best innovation in shareholder communications in 2023
‘I wanted to set a new standard for investor days’: Rebecca Gardy of Campbell’s on an award-winning event
Best investor event (small to mid-cap) in 2025
‘Earnings are our Super Bowl halftime show’: Tales from 100 quarterly updates with Mary Winn PilkingtonWinner of:
Best investor event (large cap) in 2021
IR on rotation: how Ford creates ambassadors for investor relations
Best ESG reporting (large cap) in 2025
Best investor event (large cap) in 2024
Best investor event in 2022
Strong entries aren’t rushed. Map out the timeline early so you have space to gather supporting materials, draft your story and refine it before the deadline. A little planning now makes the process far easier later.
These are the dates to keep on your radar:
Entry steps | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7
Before you start writing, make sure you’re entering the categories that best reflect your team’s strengths and achievements. The strongest entries are the ones that match the criteria, so take a few minutes to read through each category description and ask yourself: Where did we deliver real impact?
How your CEO communicates with capital markets stakeholders is a critical part of telling your company’s story and building confidence in its leadership. This category recognizes how IR and the C-suite work together to shape the company’s narrative and strengthen trust with the market.
Judges will look for examples such as innovative communication methods, impactful CEO letters or videos, effective campaigns during challenging moments or any approach that successfully brought clarity, credibility and connection to the market.
Evidence can include the CEO letter or video, press coverage or investor and analyst feedback.
Judges are looking for IR teams who have had to think out of the box in the past 12–18 months to update their shareholder communications campaign and keep up with the evolving needs of the investor community. We’re looking for that tiny spark of innovation that sets your company apart!
Please include clear examples of original approaches, such as new formats or interactive channels, that demonstrate agility and creativity.
Evidence can include campaign materials, engagement metrics, survey results, changes in shareholding or testimonials from investors and analysts.
Did you hold a capital markets day, site visit or other investor event that made your company stand out from the crowd?
Judges want to see why the event was conceived (eg, strategy update, facility showcase, etc.), the originality of the format, the quality of execution and how it met or exceeded audience expectations. Both virtual and in-person events will be considered.
Evidence can include quantitative outcomes, event agendas, formats used, use of technology, follow-up meeting requests, investor feedback surveys or analyst notes.
Have you gone above and beyond to reach new investors and tell your company’s story? Did you adapt your targeting strategy to reach new prospects, respond to adversarial circumstances or get a better return from your investor engagements? Judges are looking for a clear explanation of the targeting challenge, innovative use of data and analysis to optimize outreach and evidence that your approach delivered tangible results for management’s time on the road and at conferences. Evidence can include changes in shareholder base, senior management or investor feedback.
How did your IR team go above and beyond to support a recent corporate transaction?
Judges will look at how IR helped shape and deliver market messaging, engaged with key shareholders and stakeholders and contributed to a smooth and successful process. This category covers transactions such as M&A, IPOs, spin-offs, restructurings or other significant corporate actions where IR played a pivotal role. Evidence can include details of IR's involvement, changes in share price, market reactions or feedback from investors, analysts, the board or senior management.
Tell us about a time in the past 18 months where IR made a significant difference to your company. This could be an unusual capital raise, navigating a tricky situation, reshaping investor perception or finally landing that investor you’ve been courting. Judges will look for a clear explanation of how the IR team's work drove success, detailing what that success looked like and its impact on the company. Evidence can include share register changes, analyst commentary or feedback from senior management and the board.
The IR website is the first point of contact for an IRO’s audience. We want to hear from companies that have developed a best-in-class website displaying top-notch customer experience, engaging content that meets analysts’ and investors’ needs and multiplatform access.
Judges will look for sites that provide clarity, transparency and easy access to information. Strong entries will show how design, functionality and content work together to meet investor and analyst needs and reflect best practices in digital communication.
Evidence can include before/after screenshots, analytics reports (traffic, downloads, engagement), user testing results or investor feedback.
IR teams have recently started to pay attention to and service the traditional blind spot in their shareholder base – the retail investor block. In this category, judges will look for IR campaigns that went beyond the standard program to engage and communicate effectively with retail shareholders. Strong entries will show why retail was a priority, how the strategy differed from the usual program and the tangible results achieved.
Evidence can include details of what was implemented - for example, tailored communications, simplified disclosures, webinars, dedicated microsites or partnerships with retail investment platforms - and details of the results, such as shareholding changes, media coverage, senior management recognition, etc.
Working closely with analysts is a core part of many IR programs, but it can pose a challenge when thinking about how to prioritize your time and focus on your company’s sell-side followers. In this category, the judges are looking for teams that have implemented new strategies for keeping up with the sell side, working with analysts and deriving the most from their relationships to best serve their equity story.
Evidence can include details of the strategy employed, analyst coverage reports, feedback from analysts or changes in recommendations.
Companies face new pressure to effectively communicate how they manage sustainability risks and opportunities in line with investor expectations. Judges will look for reports with a new focus that go beyond compliance to provide substance, detail and performance data. Strong entries will show how the report was conceived, its objectives, how it was executed and what tangible results it delivered in terms of transparency and engagement.
Evidence might include reports, screenshots, summaries, ESG ratings changes, analyst commentary, investor feedback, readership/download metrics or alignment with frameworks.
Have your IR teams increased visibility and engagement digitally through the use of different communication channels? Judges will look for innovative use of video, audio, social platforms, infographics or webcasts to strengthen communication with investors. Strong entries will demonstrate creativity, quality of output and tangible evidence of how these tools improved investor and analyst engagement.
Your entry can include video messages, LinkedIn or X campaigns, IR podcasts, live webcasts, infographics or interactive Q&A sessions. Evidence should consist of links to the video, social media campaign screenshots, viewership analytics, press mentions or investor feedback.
Have you harnessed technology such as AI to enhance your IR efforts?
Judges will look for IR teams that used cutting-edge tools to overcome challenges, create efficiencies, improve intelligence or raise the quality of IR activities.
Strong entries will highlight not only the technology itself, but also how it was applied in practice, the safeguards used to ensure responsible adoption and the measurable outcomes achieved.
Examples can include AI-assisted content creation, predictive analytics for investor targeting, perception or sentiment analysis, workflow automation or the use of chatbots and digital assistants to improve efficiency. Evidence should include screenshots, time/cost savings metrics, targeting outcomes or internal/external feedback on effectiveness.
This award seeks to honor individuals who bring fresh thinking and a unique approach to the profession. This category is open to anyone who has been working in IR for less than 10 years and has less than 15 years of total professional experience. This category celebrates emerging talent making a meaningful impact on their organization and the wider IR profession.
Evidence can include testimonials from management, examples of their initiatives, KPIs or investor/analyst quotes - results that set the nominee apart from their peers.
In addition to the awards-by-nomination categories, we also recognize excellence through a set of awards determined entirely by investor feedback.
The awards-by-research categories are based on surveys of hundreds of analysts and portfolio managers, who vote for the companies they believe deliver the best IR service across the US. There’s no written entry required, just the recognition of your impact by the investment community.
Want to learn more? Click here for full details on the research categories.For questions, contact: research@ir-impact.com.
Before you start writing, understand who you’re writing for. Our judging panel includes senior IR leaders, capital markets experts and IR Impact Hall of Fame members. They know the difference between good IR and great IR and they’re looking for entries that prove real impact.
Innovation and imagination: Fresh approaches that balance investor needs with the best outcomes for the company
Innovation / imagination relative to approach, and overall success in balancing investor needs and wants with what is the best outcome for the company.
Over the years, our judging panels have been clear: standout entries share common traits. Whether it’s innovation, smart use of technology or the ability to balance investors’ needs with company priorities, these are the qualities that separate good submissions from great ones. Here’s what judges, past and present, consistently look for:
Forward-looking use of technology: Integrating AI, digital tools and data in a way that elevates IR strategy
The top nominations will be those that redefine investor relations by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI... and crafting investor experiences that inspire confidence in uncertain times.
Sally Curley, CEO, Curley Global IR (CGIR)
Maureen Wolff, CEO, Sharon Merrill Associates
Blending digital and human connection: Recognizing that technology is powerful, but relationships matter just as much
IR must be a blend of new technology and in-person communications... I will continue to look for those entries who grasp this blend and build programs around it.
William Galligan, former judge
Bonus insight: Don’t be shy about nominating yourself. Judges recognize that IR teams are often small and under the radar. Putting your own name forward isn’t self-promotional, it’s shining a light on your company’s strengths.
Nominating oneself is really promoting one’s company. Companies which have the best IR programs and professionals tend to be the best run, most forward thinking and acting companies. One begets the other.
We spoke with two of our long-serving judges and respected leaders in the world of investor relations, Carol Murray-Negron and Sally Curley, to learn what they believe sets an outstanding nomination apart. Here’s what they had to share:
What’s the number one thing you’re hoping to see in this year’s nominations?
Innovation. Fresh, new approaches to engaging with and/or communicating the company 'story' to the investment community - including the use of new tools like AI.
What qualities make an entry stand out to you?
Inclusion of measurements or support data that illustrate the impact of a given IR strategy or effort and give the program context. Comprehensive level of detail within submission guidelines. Easy access to attachments of relevant materials that illustrate the success or impact of the initiative (so that judges don't have to hunt for them).
When you think about past winners, what made their submissions memorable?
Examples of real IR leadership in driving an initiative as well as engaging company-wide participation in implementing a strategy.
If you could give one piece of advice to entrants, what would it be to help them impress the judges?
Clear, well-written description of event or strategic initiative that incorporates critical details and summarizes the overall impact, including specific measurements or data (where possible).
Innovation.
Specific plans outlined with clear strategic rationale and actionable goals, and then specific results tied back to the goals. Some submissions are still too high-level to be properly evaluated.
Be thorough, thoughtful, innovative and specific in your submissions.
Sally is a member of our Hall of Fame and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, recognizing her exceptional leadership and lasting impact on the IR profession.
Even strong IR work can fall flat if the entry misses the mark. Here are the most common pitfalls the judges call out plus tips on how to steer clear.
You copy and paste your entry across categories
✅ What to do instead:Each category has its own focus – judges can spot a generic submission instantly. Tailor your entry to the brief and speak directly to the criteria.
You skip the story behind the strategy
✅ What to do instead:Don’t just list what you did, explain why it mattered. Was it investor-driven? Linked to ESG scrutiny or activist pressure? Anticipating a shift in investor sentiment? Give context to your decisions.
You highlight outcomes without backing them up
✅ What to do instead:Support your claims with meaningful proof points. Share trading volume, analyst coverage, investor engagement metrics, valuation impact – pick what tells the story best.
You forget to include an outside voice
✅ What to do instead:A quote or testimonial from an investor, advisor or internal stakeholder can add weight and credibility. Don’t let your story stand alone.
You add supporting documents but don't refer to them
✅ What to do instead:If you include supporting documents, reference them. Pull key highlights into your summary to help judges focus on what matters most.
You don’t need to write an essay to be nominated (or win!). A clear, well-structured entry that hits the brief is what gets shortlisted. Here’s how to make each section count:
What was the situation? What needed to change? Whether you were navigating a shift in strategy, responding to changing investor sentiment, raising visibility in the market or strengthening relationships with analysts and shareholders, outline the context, your objectives and the timeframe. Help the judges understand what you were solving and why it mattered to your company’s IR strategy.
Rising star only: Nominee’s unique approach to IR (150 words max)
Top tip: Help the judges see the full picture – mention any sector or company-specific challenges you overcame to achieve your results.
What did you actually do? Lay out the approach, key actions and thinking behind them. Whether it was proactive targeting, crisis handling or a narrative refresh – this is where you show the depth of your IR work.
Rising star only: Specific contributions delivered (150 words max)
Top tip: Be specific. Name the channels, tactics or innovations you used and why they mattered.
This is where it all comes together. Highlight the outcomes and impact – on investors, the board, valuation, sentiment or internal alignment. Think both qualitative and quantitative.
Rising star only: Results and feedback: Impact on the IR program or company (300 words max)
Top tip: Focus on what changed because of your work, not just what happened.
You can upload extra documents to strengthen your case – investor feedback, slides, reports, quotes or media coverage. But don’t just attach them – reference them in your entry so judges know where to look.
Top tip: Think quality over quantity. Only include what adds real value.
Start your entry onlineCreate your profile, select your category and begin drafting. You can save and return anytime before the deadline.
Tailor your story to the categoryHave you clearly addressed what the judges are actually looking for in this category?
Make the impact easy to seeHave you included a clear outcome or proof point? Is the result linked to your IR strategy?
Use supporting materials wiselyAttach up to three relevant documents and make sure they’re referenced in your entry so the judges know why they matter.
Sense check before you submitAsk a colleague to read your entry. Does it tell a compelling story? Is anything missing or unclear?
Include your company logo or headshot**Only required for the Rising star category, but don’t forget it if it applies.
Submit before the deadline: Friday, January 2, 2026Give your work the spotlight it deserves. Get your entry in early and avoid the last-minute scramble!
This guide has shown you how to craft an entry that stands out: clear, focused and built to impress. You already know the impact your IR team delivers. Now it’s time to share it.
Whether you’re shortlisted or win, your entry is a chance to:
Showcase your strategic value to investors and your C-suite
Benchmark yourself against the best in the market
Gain recognition for the team behind the story
Don’t miss the deadline: Midnight (ET) on Friday, January 2, 2026
Click to access the entry form
Click for entry guidelines and FAQ
Lauren Wilson, head of operationsEmail: lauren.wilson@ir-impact.comPhone: +44 20 8004 5339
Email: research@ir-impact.com
Ian Richman, presidentEmail: ian.richman@ir-impact.comPhone: +1 212 430 6865
