How I Would Project Manage the Crowbar Awards
Use this guide as a north star to succeed and impress Nils.
Crowbar Awards Submission Project Plan:
If I were entering the Crowbar Awards, this is the project plan I’d use. That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to project management—life happens. People get busy, sick, or face unexpected challenges. This plan is designed to serve as a North Star, but the best project plan is the one you stick to. Success comes from a combination of structure, flexibility, and consistent communication.
The Website: www.crowbarawards.com
Find your Creative Team: https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei
From my experience leading teams, it’s crucial to start by assembling a strong team with complementary skills and clearly defined roles. During the kickoff meeting, review the project plan, confirm key dates, and assign someone to act as project manager alongside their creative role. This person should schedule all milestones and meetings on the team’s Google Calendars to keep everyone aligned and aware of deadlines. In addition to these milestones, I recommend a recurring weekly in-person or online check-in. Whether a quick meeting in a classroom or a casual hangout at a bar, these 30-minute sessions help maintain momentum, encourage open communication, and keep the team connected.
Ultimately, this plan is a guide to keep you on track, but adaptability is key. Stick to your timeline, communicate openly, and you’ll set yourselves up for success. Best of luck with your Crowbar Awards submission!
-Geno
Overview
Deadline: 11:59 PM CST, March 2nd, 2025
Goal: Submit a standout campaign aligned with AMC’s brand and the creative preferences of Nils Leonard
Key Phases and Milestones
Build Team & Research (Dec 13 – Jan 21): Form a team, conduct research, and create a creative brief.
Milestone: Creative brief finalized by Jan 21.
Brainstorm & Concept Development (Jan 22 – Feb 4): Generate and refine ideas and create visuals and taglines.
Milestone: Campaign concept finalized by Feb 4.
Deliverable Creation (Feb 5 – Feb 25): Create assets, test concepts, and refine deliverables.
Milestone: Deliverables ready for review by Feb 25.
Final Review & Submission (Feb 26 – Mar 2): Quality check, stakeholder approvals, submit on time.
Milestone: Submission completed by Mar 2.
Meeting Schedule
Phase 1: Build Team & Research
Dec 13 (Friday): Kickoff meeting – Assign roles and discuss the project.
Jan 7 (Tuesday): Research check-in – Share findings on AMC, audience, and trends.
Jan 14 (Tuesday): Finalize research – Draft the creative brief.
Phase 2: Brainstorm & Concept Development
Jan 22 (Wednesday): Initial brainstorming – Generate diverse ideas.
Jan 29 (Wednesday): Concept refinement – Narrow ideas, draft visuals and taglines.
Phase 3: Deliverable Creation
Feb 5 (Wednesday): Deliverable planning – Outline assets and assign tasks.
Feb 12 (Wednesday): Progress review – Check deliverables and address feedback.
Feb 19 (Wednesday): Final review – Ensure all assets are aligned and polished.
Phase 4: Final Review & Submission
Feb 26 (Wednesday): Quality check – Gather feedback and finalize details.
Feb 27 (Thursday): Submission prep – Verify technical requirements and submit early.
Action Steps by Phase
Phase 1: Build Team & Research
Form a team with complementary skills.
Research AMC branding, Nils Leonard, and industry trends.
Draft a concise, creative brief outlining the target audience, messaging, and goals.
Phase 2: Brainstorm & Concept Development
Host collaborative sessions to generate ideas.
Refine ideas to 1-2 strong concepts aligned with AMC’s brand and Nils Leonard’s style.
Create initial sketches, taglines, and themes.
Phase 3: Deliverable Creation
Plan 6-8 key assets (tagline, visuals, mock-ups, video, etc.).
Test concepts with a small audience (optional).
Refine and finalize assets for consistency and quality.
Phase 4: Final Review & Submission
Conduct a final quality check for errors and alignment with the brief.
Get stakeholder approvals and submit before the deadline.
Tips for Success
Be Organized: Stick to the schedule and meet deadlines.
Communicate Well: Collaborate effectively during brainstorming and reviews.
Leverage Testing: Use audience feedback to refine concepts.
Study Nils Leonard: Align your creative with his portfolio style.