Entries will be grouped by Division and Category. Using a rating scale of 1 to 100, a panel of mature market experts will judge the entries on creativity, quality, and overall excellence. Scores will be totalled and averaged. Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit certificates will be awarded based on these averaged scores. All judges' decisions are final. Award packets will be sent to winners in June.

Each entry will be judged based on the general criteria listed below. Each category will be displayed for viewing before the scoring of that category. Each judge will assign a numerical score for each entry.

Each entry will receive a score based on the following criteria:

Is the entry appropriate for an older adult audience?

• If it’s printed matter, is the copy readable and designed appropriately for older readers?
• Is the information presented of interest to older readers?
• If the entry is advertising or marketing material, does it make a persuasive appeal to older adults?

Overall creative execution of the entry.

• Is the overall creative execution outstanding, above average, average, or below average in comparison to the other entries in the category? Creative execution includes overall graphic/visual appeal, originality of approach, copywriting/editorial quality, printing and production quality, etc.

Magazine and Newspaper Articles:

• Is the article appropriate for an older reader?
• Is the article well written? Is the information presented clearly and concisely?
• Would older adults find the information in the article interesting and/or useful?