CATEGORIES

For Awards details and information, including our Top 10 Tips for entering, click below!

Brand of the Year (Sponsored by Sprylab)

This award is for the consumer or business media brand that really stands out as an absolute beacon of excellence.

This category is now closed

Our judges are looking for evidence of a complete understanding of the needs of the target audience, a strong commercial performance, and constant innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of its market. Entries should clearly demonstrate how a multi-channel approach creates ever deeper engagement with the target audience.

Where different communities are being targeted, evidence will show how the brand adapts to and serves the requirements of each community. Entries should show evidence of the leverage of the brand or extension within the market in which the product operates.

Business Publication of the Year (Sponsored by IPSO)

This award is for the business-to-business publication, published more than four times a year, which most clearly demonstrates excellence in its market.

This category is now closed

The winning publication does not have to exist in print, but will demonstrate outstanding editorial and design, a sure understanding of the needs of its audience, as well as sound commercial results.

Although the judges will note how effectively a brand has been developed across all platforms, the focus for this entry is on the publication’s excellence in its core area, be that in print or on a digital platform.

Creativity, innovation, and sheer magazine magic are the key ingredients for winning this award.

Commercial Partnership of the Year (Sponsored by Citipost)

The judges will be looking for examples of exceptional, progressive and mutually-beneficial partnerships between a publishing business and a commercial partner.

This category is now closed

Evidence of how a joint approach and shared goals have achieved a measurable win-win result will be rewarded. This can include data initiatives as well as other commercial campaigns.

Consumer Magazine of the Year (Sponsored by YM Group)

This award is for the title that stands out as a beacon of excellence in consumer magazines.

This category is now closed

Our judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding editorial and design, a total understanding of the needs of the target audience, as well as sound commercial results. Creativity, innovation, and sheer magazine magic are the key ingredients for winning this Award.

Content Piece of the Year (Sponsored by YouGov)

Have you delivered an outstanding content piece in the last 12 months? A feature, report, film, podcast, or any other piece that has had excellent engagement, or has changed the conversation.

This category is now closed

Whatever the channel, our judges will be looking for the highest quality of communication, in a style appropriate to the relevant audience. The winning entry will show evidence of the creator’s brilliance, originality and flair, together with an ability to truly captivate their target audience.

Customer Magazine of the Year (Sponsored by Denmaur Paper Media)

For the purpose of this award, a customer magazine is a magazine (as opposed to a brochure, catalogue or newsletter), published at least twice a year by or on behalf of an organisation to communicate with its customers.

This category is now closed

The judges will assess how the magazine meets the organisation's marketing and communication needs, and how it has delivered against clear and specific objectives. The winning magazine will add significant value to the customer's relationship with the organisation and demonstrate all-round excellence in its editorial, design, and overall publishing values.

Please note that this category is open to both consumer-facing and business media titles.

Designer of the Year (Sponsored by Anderson Norton Design)

This award recognises the Art Director or Designer who can demonstrate truly brilliant and outstanding design in the period from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019 on a title or brand.

This category is now closed

Our judges will be looking for evidence of how the designer’s sheer excellence throughout the year has played a key part in the success of the title, and how this design then translates across all other platforms. Our judges will also be looking for coherence, excellence in the use of photography, typography and illustration, and all other classic magazine design elements.

Hard copies will be required if print design.

Digital Initiative of the Year (Sponsored by Evolved Media)

This award recognises true excellence in the development of digital products, whether these are websites, apps, mobile offerings, tablet iterations, video, e-commerce products, rich data information services, interactive tools or any other digital offering.

This category is now closed

Products should clearly showcase innovation, creative flair, strong design values and excellent product development. Judges will be looking for metrics that show depth of engagement among users, as well as real evidence of the product’s commercial success and wider contribution to the brand. Entries can be standalone products and do not have to stem from a printed product, though our judges will also be looking for any success in leveraging brands across multiple platforms.

DON'T FORGET

If you're a PPA Independent Publisher Member, use this code at the final stage of checkout to unlock member prices (50% off!): IPMEMBER

Digital Innovator/Product Manager of the Year (Sponsored by PLS)

This award recognises truly progressive digital innovators or product managers whose digital contribution has really enriched and genuinely elevated their particular brand or company.

This category is now closed

Our judges are looking for an outstanding employee whose real dedication and ongoing commitment across the board has revolutionised their brand or company's approach to digital content while also generating significant results in revenue and audience engagement.

The winner will provide measurable evidence of their contribution to digital strategy as well as their commitment to developing a digital culture, providing ongoing development and support to their respective teams.

Editor of the Year (Sponsored by Guild)

This highly competitive category rewards the most outstanding magazine Editor/Content Leader of 2018/19.

This category is now closed

Our judges will focus on the personal contribution of the Editor/Content Leader to the consistent all-round brilliance which put his or her title above its competitors, taking into account the overall quality of journalism, significant successful editorial developments and initiatives, the relevance of the content to the audience, and the Editor’s/Content Leader’s own knowledge of, involvement in, and influence on his or her relevant market.

Our judges will be searching for genuine individual content genius, along with assessing the overall performance of the title during the period from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019, including audience figures, and achievement within the brand’s competitive set.

Event of the Year (Sponsored by Evessio)

This award will recognise an outstanding event in Business or Consumer Media. The event can be an exhibition, awards, conference, festival, or any other type of event at which the publisher brings together its audience face-to-face. The event can either stem from an existing parent brand or be a wholly standalone experience.

This category is now closed

Our judges will primarily be looking for evidence of real innovation and creativity here, along with an event that has proven commercial success, which really engages with the target audience, and which looks to have real legs for some time to come.

Front Cover of the Year (Sponsored by Acorn Web Offset)

A truly great magazine cover is a wonderful thing to behold, as evidenced by the iconic past winners in this flagship category.

This category is now closed

Our judges here will therefore be looking for those genuinely brilliant front covers that were simply unmissable, and which really captured that magical magazine moment when all the stars suddenly aligned as one. Our judges will also be looking for the following more practical elements:

  • A very high standard of imaginative design, photography and/or illustration
  • How the cover fits in with the overall brand positioning
  • The use of colour, type and/or logos
  • Coverlines that brilliantly sell the content in an unbeatable fashion
  • A front cover that presents something unexpected to its audience
  • How the front cover appeals to both new and core readers
  • A strong sense of personality
  • Supporting sales/readership figures
  • Unique connection with the target audience

In your submission you must outline why you think your cover meets the above criteria and your chosen front cover deserves to win this fiercely contested category. The front cover must be from the period 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019. 

Independent Publishing Company of the Year (Sponsored by Pensord)

This award is for the independent publishing company that most clearly demonstrates excellence in its market.

This category is now closed

The judges will take into account the imagination, successful innovation, new developments, and consistent all-round quality which put the company above its competitors. The judges will also take into account investments made by the company in technology and people, and strong commercial results. Entries should show clear evidence of knowledge of the market and understanding of the needs of the audience, together with evidence of creativity in making the best use of resources within a small company environment.

While our judges will give consideration to the creativity and innovation of the media brand whatever the platform, the focus will be on the overall performance of the company during the period from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019, including evidence of commercial performance.

Industry Partner of the Year (Sponsored by PPA)

This award recognises those suppliers to our industry who have really gone the extra mile in their partnerships with independent publishers. Any organisation that supplies a product, platform or service to the industry can enter, from distribution and fulfilment, to digital publishing, training, subscription management, printing, marketing, paper, event services. . . and beyond!

This category is now closed

Our judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding service levels, surpassed objectives and expectations, genuine partnership with clients to find innovative solutions, as well as evidence of real work towards sustainability alternatives, and best working practices.

Launch/Relaunch of the Year (Sponsored by Myriad)

This award recognises the magazine or brand launched or relaunched in the period from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019, which has most successfully established itself in its marketplace.

This category is now closed

Our judges will take into account the imagination, successful innovation, new developments, creative skill and consistent all-round quality which contributed to the success of the launch or relaunch.

Our judges will assess overall performance, including evidence of commercial performance.

Membership Publication of the Year (Sponsored by Air Business)

For the purpose of this award, a membership publication is a publication published at least twice a year by or on behalf of an organisation to communicate with its membership, be that in print or on a digital platform.

This category is now closed

Our judges will assess how the publication meets the organisation's marketing and communication needs, and how it has delivered against clear and specific objectives. The winning publication will add significant value to the member’s relationship with the organisation and demonstrate all-round excellence in its editorial, design, and overall publishing values.

Please note that this category is open to both consumer-facing and business media titles.

DON'T FORGET

If you're a PPA Independent Publisher Member, use this code at the final stage of checkout to unlock member prices (50% off!): IPMEMBER

Paid Publishing Strategy of the Year (Sponsored by ESco)

The judges will be looking to reward a magazine or brand that has excelled in circulation, via subscription marketing, or at the newsstand, or a combination of both.

This category is now closed

Details of the overall strategy should be included, as well as evidence of creativity, new approaches and innovative campaigns.

Please note that this category is open to both consumer-facing and business media titles.

Podcast of the Year (Sponsored by Think)

This award will recognise an outstanding podcast from a business or consumer independent publisher.

This category is now closed

Have you delivered an exceptional podcast in the last 12 months that has had excellent engagement, or has changed the conversation? Our judges will primarily be looking for evidence of real innovation and creativity here, along with a podcast that has proven commercial success which really engages with the target audience.

The winning podcast will deliver consistent quality content that exceeds the listeners’ expectation.

Team of the Year (Sponsored by White Space)

This award recognises the team from either a specific area of the publishing business (such as sales, editorial, production, marketing, accounts etc), or from across different disciplines that has achieved the most definable success.

This category is now closed

The winning team, whether it has two or 30 members, will have made a significant contribution to the overall performance of the company in the period from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019. Entries should summarise the team’s achievements during this period and provide specific examples of how the team has worked together to meet challenges and objectives.

Website of the Year (Sponsored by NLA)

This award recognises a financially sustainable and creatively excellent digital property which is prospering through a relentless focus on end-users.

This category is now closed

Our judges are looking for a site that demonstrates robust use of technology and delivers an outstanding design/user-experience across all digital platforms. The winning site will provide a home to world-class digital content and act as a real hub for its community of users, with strong analytics detailing high levels of audience engagement.

Writer of the Year (Sponsored by etc.Venues)

This award recognises real excellence in style and content from writers in print and/or online.

This category is now closed

Whatever the channel, our judges will be looking for the highest quality of writing in a style appropriate to the relevant audience. The winning entry will show evidence of the writer’s brilliance, originality and flair, together with an ability to truly captivate their target readers.