Launching in 2016: The Digital Publishing Awards

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The non-profit National Magazine Awards Foundation, a leader in facilitating rigorous and transparent awards programs, in consultation with Canada's leading producers and creators of digital media, is launching a national, bilingual awards program exclusively for Canadian digital publishers.

The Digital Publishing Awards will recognize and promote excellence in the content and creation of Canadian digital publications through an annual program of awards and national publicity efforts. The inaugural Call for Entries will be in January 2016. Follow @DPAwards on Twitter.

Canadian digital publishers—including those that support established brands in magazine, newspaper, broadcast and other journalism, as well as those that serve their audiences exclusively as digital brands—will be eligible to participate, including those that publish in either English or French.

The Digital Publishing Awards program has been developed in consultation with and guidance from the leaders and members of Canada's digital publishing industry, and is led by a steering committee composed of:

• Kevin Siu, Head of Digital (Editorial), The Globe and Mail
• Ken Hunt, Publisher, Toronto Life and Torontolife.com
• Craig Silverman, Founding Editor, BuzzFeed Canada
• Jessica Ross, Content Director, Multiplatform Editions, Books & Special Issues, TVA Publications
• Matthew McKinnon, Online Editor & Designer, The Walrus
• Brodie Fenlon, Acting Director of Digital News, CBC
• Chris Frey, Founding Editor-in-Chief, Hazlitt, and Correspondent, Monocle
• Terry Sellwood, former President, Cottage Life Media and Vice President, National Magazine Awards Foundation

"Digital publishing in Canada is robust and exciting, and now there will be a truly national and not-for-profit awards program and publicity campaign to support its achievements," said Craig Silverman, the founding editor of BuzzFeed Canada. "Our vision for the Digital Publishing Awards is a program that accurately and fairly reflects the incredible landscape of online media in Canada. It will recognize excellence amongst our peers, serve as inspiration and education to continue to engage audiences with impactful digital media, and will be celebrated by our editorial teams, our readers and consumers, and our sponsors and advertisers."

In 2016 the Digital Publishing Awards will recognize excellence in 15 categories, including recognition for achievement in tablet and web design and development, news coverage, feature writing, video production, podcasts, editorial packaging, blogs, and the use of online multimedia and social media tools to create successful and engaging online news and storytelling.

Awards will include cash prizes for most Gold and Silver winners, certificates and seals for all finalists and winners, and national recognition for achievement in digital publishing. Winners will be announced at the first of an annual series of Digital Publishing Awards in June 2016.

A complete list of categories, eligibility requirements and other details will be announced on the Digital Publishing Awards website scheduled to be launched in December. Submissions will open in January 2016 for digital content created this year.

Follow the Digital Publishing Awards on Twitter @DPAwards.

The Digital Publishing Awards are produced by the National Magazine Awards Foundation, a not-for-profit, registered charity that has administered Canada's annual National Magazine Awards since 1977. With a reputation for facilitating a rigorous, fair and transparent awards program in which content creators are recognized and rewarded for outstanding achievement in magazine journalism, the NMAF is proud to present the Digital Publishing Awards in consultation with Canada's leading producers and creators of digital publishing.

SOURCE National Magazine Awards Foundation

Image with caption: "Launching in January 2016: The Digital Publishing Awards (CNW Group/National Magazine Awards Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151126_C5839_PHOTO_EN_553903.jpg

For further information: Émilie Pontbriand, Communications Manager, 416.939.6200, [email protected]