Online Awards - New for 2009
For the 2009 National Magazine Awards the NMAF will
be recognizing excellence in Canadian web-based magazine content and online-only
magazines. In addition to our awards for Visual, Written and Integrated print-magazine content, this
year we are inaugurating awards specifically for achievements in digital magazine media, with seven new
Online Categories.
Gold and Silver awards will be awarded in each
category. Gold awards include a cash prize of $1000; Silver awards include a cash prize of
$500.
Why Online?
Entertaining. Informative. Innovative. These days, magazine Web sites can
be every bit as engaging as their print counterparts—if not more so—as they strive to further strengthen that
all-important connection with the reader. This has led to a wealth of impressive online creative, something
we at the National Magazine Awards Foundation believe is well worth celebrating. And so do many of you,
judging by the growing number of requests to include online content in the annual awards program.
In
late 2008, we struck a special committee to investigate the possibilities. The result? This year’s call for
entries will include seven new awards categories designed specifically for Web-only magazines and the Web
site extensions of print magazines. The same rigorous judging procedures and entry requirements as the print
categories will apply, as will the same cash prize structure. The awards themselves will be presented during
a special, separate luncheon on the same day as the evening gala. This will give the winners the attention
they deserve, yet not add to the length of the nighttime event.
The
Canadian magazine industry continues to evolve in exciting ways, and we at the NMAF strive to reflect that in
our annual awards program. By now including honours for the best magazine Web content, we trust you’ll agree
we’re living up to that important commitment.
Sincerely,
Patrick Walsh,
President, National Magazine Awards Foundation
The 7 new categories for Online awards
Best Community Feature: The use of community tools, such as discussion forums and
social networking utilities, to serve the Web site’s editorial mandate.
Best Cross-Platform
Package: Storytelling using
multimedia techniques, such as interactive graphics, Flash, photography, audio and video, taking into account
the quality of the journalism, visual design and the artful blending of multiple media.
Best Visual
Design: The Web site’s overall design, including visual appeal; readability of content; ease/clarity of navigation; organization of content;
consistency; reflection of subject/community; successful visual integration of advertising elements, a clear
distinction between paid content/advertising and editorial content.
Best Repurposed or Adapted
Content: A feature or section
of a Web site that uses repurposed or adapted content from its print magazine. A PDF of the
original magazine content must be included in the submission.
Best Web-Only Content: Original content created solely for the Web site, taking
into account relevance and quality; depth of information; inclusion of
community-building elements, such as blogs, discussion forums and social networking
utilities.
Outstanding use of Digital
Technologies: The use of digital
techniques to tell a story and serve a community. Emphasis will be placed on the creative use of technology,
such as widgets, interactive databases, mash-ups, digital tools and alternative platforms, such as
mobile.
Web Site of the Year: A Web site that successfully fulfills its editorial
mission, effectively serves its audience, maximizes use of the Web and represents the highest journalistic
standards. The sites will be judged on excellence of content, interactivity, rich media, design, navigation
and community tools. Entries may consist of one main URL and up to three additional sub-URLs in the same
domain (to highlight specific features). Editorial material must be clearly delineated from sponsored
content, advertising and product sales as prescribed in ASME's Best Practices for Digital Media.
Eligibility
To qualify for any of the NMAF online categories, a
magazine’s website or an online-only magazine must be editorial in nature; that is, a site whose primary
function is to inform or entertain rather than to sell products or promote a business. It must include a
significant amount of original content and have at least one editor (producer) who makes key creative
decisions about the content, tone and point of view of the site. It cannot be a personal blog, although such
blogs may be elements on the site. NMAF reserves the right to decide whether an online entity qualifies
as a magazine.
Please carefully read the NMAF's Rules & Eligibility, for rules specific to entering the Online
awards.
