Categories
Publication Categories
General Interest
A general interest publication is defined as any publication that is distributed either free or for cost to the general public, and that covers a variety of subjects or interest areas. This category includes consumer, not-for-profit and custom-published magazines.
Special Interst
A special interest publication is defined as any publication that is distributed either free or for cost to the general public, but covers a single specific-interest topic, avocation, sport or recreational activity. This category may include consumer, not-for-profit or custom-published magazines.
Business/Trade
A business or trade publication is defined as any publication distributed either free or for cost to business people or to participants in a specific trade or industry. Business magazines may be available to the general public while trade magazines generally are not.
Association
An association publication is defined as any professional, association or college publication for which more than 50 percent of its circulated copies, whether free or for cost, go to members of an association, organization, club or society.
Entry Categories
Overall Excellence
This entry must present a strong and consistent publication package. The publication must demonstrate that it is targeted to the audience it serves and that it fulfills its mission. It must be written clearly and authoritatively. The content-driven design must be clean and consistent. Submit three physical copies of three different complete issues. This category may only be entered once by each publication.
General
Entries in the general categories will be judged for their combined editorial and design qualities, including editing/writing/reporting, layout and design, organization and value to audience. See specific categories for additional criteria.
Editorial
Entries in the editorial categories will be judged primarily on the quality of the reporting, writing and editing; development of the subject; and suitability and service to the audience. Presentation will also play a factor. See specific categories for additional criteria.
Design
Design entries will be judged on layout and composition, use of illustrations or photos and typography, image quality, originality and effectiveness in helping the article or publication convey its message. See specific categories for additional criteria.
*New this Year* Digital Media
Entries in the Digital Media categories will be judged for their editing/writing/reporting, usability and how well they convey or complement the parent publication's editorial mission. Entries must provide objective content that is of value to the reader and may not have the sole purpose of advertising products. See specific categories for additional criteria. These categories will have only two circulation classifications: entries whose parent publications have over 60,000 circulation and entries whose parent publications have under 60,000 circulation.
*New* Best e-Newsletter
This category is for an email newsletter produced for a publishing company and delivered on a regular basis. Entries should demonstrate compelling execution and clear purpose. In the online Editorial Profile box, enter a link to one issue of the e-newsletter along with a description of its publication frequency and its editorial goals or mission, including how it supports the parent publication's editorial mission. The e-newsletter's linked content items also should be accessible. Publishing companies may enter this category multiple times.
*New* Best Blog
This category is for a blog produced for a publishing company. Blog should incorporate strong reporting, commentary or criticism and demonstrate intelligence, stylish writing and connection to the readers. In the online Editorial Profile box, enter the blog's URL along with a description of its editorial goals or mission, including how it supports the parent publication's editorial mission. The blog's linked content items also should be accessible. If access to the blog is by password or subscription only, provide information that will allow the judges to easily access it. Publishing companies may enter this category one time for each different blog.
