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ENTRY INFORMATION

The PPA Independent Publisher Awards recognise and celebrate individuals and companies within the UK independent publishing sector who have demonstrated excellence in the past 12 months. For the purpose of these awards, an independent publisher is one with a publishing turnover less than £10M per annum.

Entry eligibility period – 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021

Within each entry you will be asked to detail your success in 500 words, please ensure that you address each individual category criteria point within this written section, as this is what the judges will be scoring against.

We will not accept hard copies of magazines or other materials, but you will have the chance to upload three supporting documents, which can include full editions where space permits (max 40MB per document). If you are providing links to information behind a data/pay wall, please make sure to include login details for our judges. The judges have a lot of entries to work through so please make sure these three documents best showcase the story within your entry.

Important note: when completing the section on your results, financial or otherwise, please make sure to give context by comparing to previous years, business plan, or to the rest of the market. Any results given without context are very hard to judge and weaken the entry.

These awards are open to publishers only with the exception of Industry Partner of the Year which is designed for suppliers to the publishing industry.

All information submitted within an entry will remain confidential and will only be used for the purpose of judging. Our judges will take the effects of the coronavirus pandemic into consideration when adjudicating all entries.

Judges may award both B2B and B2C winners in some categories

  • Use the tick boxes to the right of the category name to select multiple categories you would like to enter, then select 'PROCESS'
  • You will only be charged for an entry once it is completed - it is free to create an account and look at the entry forms
  • Discounts will automatically calculate at payment which is stage 4 of the checkout process
  • PPA members get 50% off by using the code: PPAMEMBER21

EXTENDED DEADLINE: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13

PPA Members get 50% off their entries with the code: PPAMEMBER21

OFFER: 5 ENTRIES FOR THE PRICE OF 3
(Discount automatically applied at checkout)

This award recognises media brands or publications that have successfully responded to the challenges of the pandemic.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how new strategies and objectives we set to navigate through unprecedented times and how these were met
  • the impact of the measures taken to the brand/publication
  • how this response has served and supported its community or audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation and creativity in approach

This award is for business-to-business publications either print or digital form which are published more than four times a year.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • expertise in its core business area
  • editorial & visual that represents and enhances the brand
  • understanding the needs of its audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation and creativity in approach

Note: publications do not have to exist in print

This award is for collaborations between a publishing business and commercial partner(s) that has promoted a product, service, or brand through any (or multiple) platform(s).

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • a mutually beneficial partnership to all parties
  • clear objectives and mutual goals, and how these were met
  • evidence of a collaborative and joint approach
  • a strong commercial performance
  • creativity and innovation which has generated significant traction among the target audience

This award is for consumer publications that have had an excellent overall performance in the market.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • understanding the needs of its target audience 
  • a strong commercial performance
  • editorial & design that represents and enhances the brand
  • a multi-channel approach which results in deeper audience engagement
  • innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of its market

This award is for pieces of content which could be anything from a standalone feature piece, report, film, or any other piece of content produced for an audience or community.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • excellent levels of engagement with its target audience
  • how it has changed or broadened the topic of conversation
  • a communication style that is appropriate to the relevant audience
  • originality, creative flair and an ability to captivate the attention of the audience
  • solid research to support the topic matter

This award is open to Art Directors or Designers who have worked on the design for a media brand or publication. 

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • evidence of how the design work has played a key part in the overall success of the brand or publication
  • excellent use of photography, typography and illustration
  • imaginative and creative designs which push the usual boundaries
  • an awareness of the needs of the target audience
  • how the design work translates across all platforms for the brand/publication

Note: Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only

This award recognises media brands and publications that have developed digital products which are content or data services led. Examples include apps, research-based data products, e-newsletters, digital magazine editions, archives or video.

Note: there is a separate category for podcasts

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • innovation and creativity in approach
  • effective product development and/or use of data
  • impressive metrics and audience engagement
  • a strong commercial performance or evidence of the product’s success
  • how the product contributes to the brand/publication success

Note: products do not have to stem from a printed product

This award seeks to recognise media brands or publications that are championing Diversity & Inclusion within their business, or to their audience. This may be via a product, campaign, brand extension, magazine, event, or anything which enhances or promotes Diversity and Inclusion across the business and beyond.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • the values that underpin efforts to make either the sector you serve, or your own publishing operations, more inclusive
  • a set of goals and how these are being monitored
  • examples of collaboration with other businesses, individuals or networks
  • better outcomes in service delivery and internal policy (e.g. culture, mental health) as a result of this initiative OR how your actions have influenced change in the sector that you serve
  • how Diversity and Inclusion is part of the long-term business strategy

This award is for editors of a media brand or publication whose consistent brilliance has put their publication at the forefront of the market.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how their overall contribution has enhanced the success of the brand/publication
  • high quality journalism and trusted content
  • significant editorial developments and innovative approach
  • understanding of and engagement with the market and/or audience by providing relevant content
  • impressive results including audience reach and commercial performance

Note: Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only

This award will recognise an outstanding event, either in-person or online, which can be but is not limited to an exhibition, awards, conference, experiential event, festival, celebration or anniversary, community event, or any bespoke event, at which the media brand or publisher brings together its target audience.

The event can either stem from an existing parent brand or be a wholly standalone experience.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • evidence of innovation and creativity in approach
  • relevant event format and engaging content
  • significant audience reach or measurable results
  • strong commercial performance
  • deep levels of engagement with the target audience

This award is for the standout front covers from the last year that were simply unmissable, and which really captured that magical magazine moment.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • an instant visual impact with imaginative use of design, photography, and/or illustration
  • cover lines that sell the content and changes the conversation
  • how the cover appeals to both new and core readers
  • supporting sales/readership figures
  • how the cover fits in with the overall brand positioning

Note: brands/publications may enter multiple front covers

This award is for the independent publishing companies that have had an excellent overall performance in the market.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • knowledge of the market and understanding of the needs of its audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation and new developments which elevate the company above its competitors
  • ongoing commitment to its community, customers and/or audiences
  • how it adapts and responds to market changes (including COVID-19)

This award recognises the suppliers to the 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.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • evidence of service levels
  • a genuine partnership with publishers
  • meeting or exceeding client objectives and expectations
  • innovation and creativity in finding solutions -
  • working towards sustainability alternatives and best working practices

This award recognises the media brand or publication who has launched or relaunched successfully during the eligibility period.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • measurable results detailing the success of the launch/relaunch
  • innovation and creativity
  • a strong commercial performance
  • how it meets the needs of its target audience or community
  • deep levels of engagement with its audience or community

This award is for consumer or business media brands that have had an excellent overall performance in the market.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • understanding the needs of its target audience and adapting where multiple communities are being targeted
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of its market
  • a multi-channel approach that creates a deeper engagement with the target audience
  • leverage of the brand or extension within the market in which the product operates


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.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how the publication meets the organisation's marketing and communication needs
  • how it has delivered against clear and specific objectives
  • how it adds value to the member’s relationship with the organisation
  • excellent editorial and design
  • how the publication sits within the wider organisational strategy

Note: this category is open to both consumer-facing and business media titles

This award is for podcasts which are created in-house to complement existing brands or publications, or to help launch new ones. The podcasts can be produced in-house or using external production support.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • excellent audience engagement and listening figures
  • innovation and creativity
  • content which meets the needs of the target audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • well researched topics and trusted content resources

This new award looks to recognise a media brand, publication, campaign or portfolio that has maximised revenue through effective implementation of a new or enhanced subscriptions strategy. This can be focused on acquisition, retention, or both.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • innovation and creativity in approach
  • understanding of the target market
  • effective use of data to drive conversions
  • a strong commercial performance
  • deep levels of engagement with its audience or community

This award looks to recognise and reward how publishers have created long-term value by developing strategies, initiatives, projects or events that positively impact the ecological, social or economic environment.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • an understanding of the company’s responsibility towards acting sustainably
  • a movement that is helping to create long term change
  • the impact of the movement on the business
  • the success in relation to the objectives and expectations
  • how sustainability is a clear priority for the business

This award is for a team or department that has excelled in making a positive and measurable contribution to its company.

Eligible teams include, but are not limited to: Content, Creative, Commercial, Marketing, Production, HR, Operations, Subscriptions, Business Development and Events.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • contribution to the overall company strategy
  • how the team has exceeded business expectations
  • creativity, new approaches, and innovation backed up with solid results
  • how the team has supported each other, shared learnings and embraced wellbeing as a priority
  • a collaborative approach towards working with other individuals or teams in the business, or external partners

This award is open to anyone who writes for a media brand or publication on one platform or across multiple platforms.

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Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • original, entertaining and/or engaging writing
  • well researched and credible journalism
  • content that is appropriate to the relevant audience
  • a distinctive personal style
  • an understanding of the audience

Note: Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only