Azbee Award Categories

The Azbee Awards of Excellence are awarded in 63 categories across the following divisions:

• Overall Excellence
• All Content
• Print
• Design
• Online

The All Content, Print, Design, and Online category entries compete for both national- and regional-level Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. Some categories, including the Magazine of the Year, honor winners in two publication frequency groups — 11 or Fewer Issues per Year and 12 or More Issues per Year. Learn more about the Regions.

Entries in all categories require PDFs of print material and/or URLs to online content to for judges to review. See the category descriptions below for further details. The only categories that require you to mail in print magazine issues are Magazine of the Year, Magazine/Newspaper Design, and Magazine/Newspaper Redesign.

Overall Excellence Categories

The Society's top awards each year go to the business publications that demonstrate consistent excellence and provide extraordinary reader service in pursuit of their mission. The Overall Excellence division recognizes the core editorial products that business publications typically offer their audiences, from print magazines and websites to email newsletters and social media.

Note: If you plan to enter an Overall Excellence category, please ensure that a member of your staff is able to attend the national awards presentation, which will be held on in conjunction with ASBPE's 2024 National Conference, a virtual event, May 15-17, 2024.

• Magazine of the Year - The Magazine of the Year award goes to business publications in two divisions, based on frequency of publication, that demonstrate consistent editorial and design quality, and provide extraordinary reader service. Judging is based on: 1) quality of writing, reporting and editing; 2) value and usefulness to the reader; 3) editorial organization; 4) interaction with readers; and 5) layout and design, in regard to the flow and style of individual issues, as well as across three (3) consecutive issues. Entrants must submit three consecutive issues.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
  • Also note: This category requires you to both upload PDFs of three consecutive issues online and mail in three (3) sets of the same three consecutive issues. Mailing instructions are provided on the entry form. Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than the late entry deadline of Jan. 17, 2024 and received no later than Jan. 22, 2024.
  • Magazine of the Year entries are subdivided by frequency of publication: 11 or fewer issues per year and 12 or more issues per year. Please include annual supplements and special issues from the entry year (2023) in your count.
     
• Digital Magazine of the Year - The Digital Magazine of the Year must demonstrate consistent editorial and design quality, and provide extraordinary reader service from the digital platform. This category will only accept PDF/flipbook-style digital editions. Submit URLs for three (3) consecutive digital flipbook issues of your magazine as published online in 2023. Judging is based on: 1) quality of writing, reporting and editing; 2) value and usefulness to the reader; 3) editorial organization; and 4) layout and design, in regard to the flow and style of individual issues, as well as across the three consecutive digital issues.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
     
• Website of the Year - Website of the Year entries will be judged based on quality of writing, reporting and editing; value and usefulness to the reader; layout and design, especially consistency in style throughout the website; use of web technologies; and interactivity. Submit homepage, up to 10 additional URLs from your site, and username/password, if required to access any content.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
     
• Multi-Platform Package of the Year - The Multi-Platform Package of the Year category recognizes the clear coordination of multiple platforms for a single topical package. Entrants must submit a package that contains examples from at least three (3) platforms (e.g. mobile, print, social media, website, e-newsletter, blogs, webinars, databases, online communities, slide shows, video, or podcast). Please submit print material as PDFs and for digital materials, submit URLs as well as username and password (if needed to access the material). Entrants may submit up to 10 PDFs and 10 URLs. Along with general criteria, judges will examine how the submission uses the best qualities of each platform to make a stronger, cohesive package that is more impactful than each platform would be on its own.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
     
• Social Media Account of the Year - This category is for both social media teams and individual journalists to submit their best social media account promoting a publication. Did you put together a well-thought-out and executed plan to promote your publication on a particular social media channel? Did this work get noticed outside of your normal audience? Please choose one account that best represents your social media efforts. Supply up to 10 URLs (and username/password where needed to view content) and one PDF with supporting documentation showing traffic, likes and other forms of interaction. Entrants should document:
  • Did you host online chats, videoconferences, or other events within the platform?
  • How effective was your programming in reaching your target audience? What levels of attendance and participation did you receive?
  • How effective are you at attracting influential members of your reader community, or the broader community at large?
  • How effective is your social media account in bringing traffic to your publication? How many of your posts are liked, shared or otherwise mentioned across social media? By how many people?
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand or individual is permitted in this category.
     
• Email Newsletter of the Year - Enter three complete issues of your email newsletter with active links. Along with the general criteria, judges examine the efficacy of item summaries or teasers and content marketing qualities. Supply URLs for either the "view in browser" links from the newsletters or for the back-issues hosted on your publication's website. Provide username and password where needed to view newsletter content or linked content.
  • Note: Generally, only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category. If your publication has more than one newsletter product, they must be entered as separate submissions. Email Newsletter submissions that include issues from more than one newsletter product will be disqualified and no refund provided.

All Content Categories

In recognition that the publishing industry is changing and that we no longer work in "silos," ASBPE created this Azbee Awards division to reflect your reporting work in print, online, and other digital formats. Much of our work is no longer separate. We don't just write articles for print anymore; we create stories that live in multiple formats — sometimes for different audiences. The All Content division now houses 19 categories that accept a wider range of entries, from both print and web platforms. Only static media (e.g.: photos, infographics, charts, etc.) will be considered in these categories. Animated graphics, video and audio will not be considered by judges.

• Case Study - Enter one article about how a single organization defined a problem and applied technology, equipment or management techniques to solve it. Articles will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, and value to the reader. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
• Company Profile - Enter one article profiling a single company or organization. The article will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source material, value to the reader and presentation. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: if the article profiles a single person, enter it in the Individual Profile category. If the article profiles multiple people, enter it in the Group Profile category.
• Data Journalism - This category recognizes articles that are primarily based on data analysis. Entries may include up to three articles and must have some form of data graphics (charts, tables or other forms) as well as text that explains the data graphics. While articles can include reporting or non-data references, the bulk of the articles must rely on analysis of data. Judges will evaluate the articles for effective use of data, solid statistical techniques, transparency about size and significance of data, and quality of insights drawn from the data. Quality of the writing, value and usefulness to the reader, and overall presentation are also important aspects. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: This category is not for infographics, which have a separate category.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Enter a single article demonstrating how your publication provided advice on, or covered issues surrounding, Diversity, Equity and/or Inclusion in your readers' industries. In your essay, please discuss why this story was important to pursue, and how/if your article brought about change or furthered an industry discussion on DE&I. The article will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, value to the reader, and design and presentation. This category accepts articles published in print and/or on the web. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
• Editorial - A good editorial is meant to be persuasive; it should make a strong case with supporting facts and data. Opposing arguments should be addressed. Strong editorials often conclude with a purposeful call to action. Please enter three (3) editorials written by the same editor.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Editor's Letter - A good editor's letter provides readers with an engaging entry point to the publication, often through personal observations or anecdotes. Editor's letters are typically not meant to be persuasive, like editorials. However, good ones offer insight and context into a topic addressed in the issue, piquing readers' desire to read the associated article(s). Please enter three (3) editor's letters written by the same editor.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Enterprise News Story - This category is for original news stories that are not largely based on press releases or news conferences. Judges will be looking for evidence that the reporter had an original idea, developed sources, and produced a story not generally available elsewhere. Please discuss why this story was important to pursue. Supply URLs and username/password where necessary to view the content. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: Longer, more complex stories should be entered into the Impact/Investigative category.
• Government Coverage - Submit a total of three distinct government-related (executive, legislative or judicial) articles or stories (not an entire issue). Articles must be taken from three consecutive issues or posted as three distinct articles on three different days. This category's aim is to recognize publications that continuously produce a volume of outstanding government coverage. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: Do not submit a single article or a single government news section; each may be submitted in other categories.
• Group Profile - Enter one article profiling multiple people. The article will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, and value to the reader. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: If the article profiles a single person, enter it in the Individual Profile category. If the article profiles a company, enter it in the Company Profile category.
• How-To Article - This category is for articles that help readers carry out technical or business processes or procedures by giving them practical advice on the preparation and steps required to achieve their goal. Submit one article that walks the reader through the steps necessary to perform a particular activity. Clear, concise writing and presentation should make it easy for the reader to apply the process described. Describe how you used infographics, photos, charts, tables or other elements to demonstrate or explain key elements to the reader. Supply URL and username/password where needed to view content.
  • Note: Articles that explain technology without an emphasis on "how-to" application should be submitted in the Technical Article category. Videos can be part of your entry, but if your entry is primarily a video, it should be entered in the Video-Tutorial category.
• Impact/Investigative - Submit one in-depth story demonstrating solid reporting/writing skills. Comprehensiveness, insight, and skillful presentation of useful material are important. Submissions should include an explanation of the investigative nature or the resulting impact of the article. The story should demonstrate what topic/issue was investigated, stick to the facts and include attribution to the details uncovered, and what changes are needed/were made. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: Articles that cover breaking news should be entered in the News Analysis or Online Breaking News categories, and features built around original research, including surveys by a magazine, should be entered in the Original Research category.
• Individual Profile - Enter one article profiling a single individual. The article will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, and value to the reader. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: If the article profiles multiple people, enter it in the Group Profile category. If the article profiles a company, enter it in the Company Profile category.
• News Analysis - Submit one analytical news story that provides insight into a breaking news story in a thorough context and demonstrates quality writing, reporting, editing, and usefulness to readers. Entry will be judged on editorial values of balance, source variety, proper attribution, timeliness, reader value, depth of information and proper emphasis, adequate development, and enterprise. Article must appear in the next available issue after the event occurs; date of event on which the news analysis is based must be clear to judges. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
• Original Research - Submit one article and accompanying charts or graphics based on the publication's own survey, independent product ranking, or statistical or other proprietary documentation. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
• Overall Headline Writing - Submit a maximum of ten articles displaying your best headlines from print and/or digital media. Judges must be able to access full articles, so please provide full PDFs for print articles and URLs to digital articles or social headlines, as well as username/password where needed to access the content on your website. Judges will look for sharp, engaging and creative headlines that pique reader interest while clearly explaining and remaining faithful to the article's content. Judges will also look for how web and social headlines cleverly take SEO into account. In your essay, briefly explain why these headlines merit special review by the judges.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Q&A - This category is dedicated to articles that are interviews. They can comprise an interview of a single person or a team of people. While the article can reference material gathered through other means (research, surveys, etc.), the bulk of the article must be questions from the reporter and direct answers from the interview subject(s). The submission should explain why the interview format was chosen and why specific subjects were chosen. Judges will evaluate entries on how well the questions reflect readers' interests and how skillful the interviewer was in eliciting insightful answers. The questions should be well-constructed and establish a narrative that provides useful information. In addition, judges will also examine whether the reporter provided enough context or supporting material for the interview to the reader. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
• Regular Column - Enter two examples of any bylined column, from two different issues, editions or online posts of your publication, that appears at least quarterly. Both columns must be written by the same person (staff, freelancer or industry expert), and should interpret or comment on issues pertinent to the publication's readers. Do not submit more than one entry per author. No video or other multimedia will be considered by judges.
  • Note: Do not submit straight news reporting or editorials here; instead, consider the News Analysis, Online Breaking News or Editorial categories.
• Sustainability Reporting - Enter up to three (3) articles demonstrating how sustainability trends are impacting your industry. In your essay, please provide context into why these trends are significant to your industry and how your coverage moves the industry discourse forward. The coverage will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, value to the reader, and purpose/impact for the industry. This category accepts articles published in print or digital formats.
• Technical Article - Submit one article that explains how a technology works, how it applies to your sector, how it compares and contrasts with previous technologies, and what advantages or disadvantages it might have to alternatives. As much as possible, submissions should combine theory, methodologies and results along with analysis and discussion of usefulness and value to your readers, and impact. Documentation and attribution are also important considerations. No video or other multimedia allowed.
  • Note: Do not submit How-To articles in this category. Articles that are more oriented to teaching how to use a technology should be entered under the How-To Article categories. If your entry focuses on how a technological innovation is impacting your industry, submit it to Technology & Innovation Reporting.
• Technology & Innovation Reporting - Enter up to three (3) articles demonstrating how innovations, including technology advancements, are impacting your industry. In your essay, please provide context into why this specific innovation is significant to your industry and how your coverage moves the industry discourse forward. The coverage will be judged on quality of writing and reporting, depth and breadth of information, quality and use of sources and source materials, value to the reader, and purpose/impact for the industry. This category accepts articles published in print or digital formats.

Print Categories

Print articles can also be entered in the categories in the All Content division above.

• Feature Article - Submit one in-depth, general print feature story, including jump pages and sidebars, demonstrating solid reporting and writing skills. Comprehensiveness, insight, and skillful presentation of useful material are important. Please include the front cover if dedicated to the feature.
  • Feature Article entries are subdivided by frequency of publication: 11 or Fewer Issues per Year and 12 or More Issues per Year. Please include annual supplements and special issues from the entry year (2023) in your count.
  • Because of the high numbers of entries in the Feature Article category, please note that there are several more focused categories for feature-length stories that you might consider entering:
    • Features examining breaking news should be entered in the News Analysis category (All Content).
    • Research-based features, including surveys by a magazine, should be entered in the Original Research category (All Content).
    • Features built around original investigative reporting should be entered into the Impact/Investigative category (All Content).
    • Multiple, related features can be entered in Feature Series (Print).
    • Case Histories have their own category (All Content).
    • Features detailing a process can be entered in the How-To Article category (Print).
    • Features examining a technology in great detail can be entered in the Technical Article category (All Content).
• Feature Series - Submit print feature articles, planned in advance as a series, that thoroughly investigate a single topic from its various aspects across multiple issues. Half or more of the articles in the series must have appeared in the magazine during the entry year. If the series carried over to January, that is acceptable. Submit all articles in their entirety. Please include the front cover(s) if dedicated to or showcasing the feature series.
• Industry News Coverage - This category accepts up to six (6) articles representing a variety of news stories from successive issues across the entry year, not a single topic. Along with general criteria, judges will look for timeliness, examples of interpretive reporting, data visualization and resources for additional information. Please provide up to 6 PDFs of print news articles.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Regular Department - Enter an example of any department, except a product department, that appears at least four times a year. Include the entire department as it appears in three successive issues. Provide name of department (not the major headline) as the name of the entry on the entry form.
  • Note: Only one entry per department is permitted in this category.
• Single Topic Coverage by a Team - Entry may include up to five articles on the same topic by members of publication’s writing team including staff writers, editors, freelancers, or industry experts. The articles may have appeared in any of the publication's print editions with eligible issue dates. While articles from single-themed issues are eligible for this category, special issues or supplements should instead be entered into the Special Issue or Supplement category. 
  • Note: If your articles appeared online first, please submit to the Online Single Topic Coverage by a Team category. Submit here if your articles appeared first in print.
• Special Issue or Supplement - Enter one special issue or supplement produced during the entry year and focused around a single topic or theme. Also submit the full regular issue published immediately prior to the special issue or supplement. Content and design must have been editorially controlled. Advertorials, directories and buyer's guides are not accepted in this category. Please submit State of the Industry issues or supplements to the State of the Industry category.
• Special Section - Submit an entire issue containing a complete example of an editorial-controlled, single-subject section appearing during the entry year within a calendar issue. The issue in which the special section occurs must have other feature articles and be clearly distinguishable from those features. No advertorials.
• State of the Industry - Submit your "State of the Industry" (SOI) feature package (e.g.: editorial section, cover feature, or entire issue) focused on current industry trends and performance as covered by your publication. Entry must contain a complete example of editorially controlled state of the industry coverage, planned as a package or series, that appeared during the entry year, including an overview that puts your SOI package in perspective for the audience. Comprehensiveness, insight and skillful presentation of useful material are important. Please include the front cover if dedicated to the coverage. No advertorials.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
  • For web coverage, please enter our Online State of the Industry category.

Design Categories

• Best Use of Color - Enter a single print or web article showcasing your designers' mastery of color theory. Expert use of color (including color interaction across the layout and with images, cohesion, balance, harmony and readability) should flow through the full article.
• Data Visualization - Enter three to five separate data visualizations (please submit full articles in which data visualizations are contained, if applicable). Data visualizations can be published in either print or digital mediums. If published in print, provide PDF files of the full article; if published online, provide URLs to the full article. If a single data visualization appeared both in print and online, please provide both a PDF and URL. The visual clarity and appeal in which complex information is presented will be assessed. In addition to the design considerations, the editorial components will also be judged (e.g. headlines, attribution, explanation of data), as well as insight gained from the data visualization.
• Front Cover - Illustration - Submit one illustrated cover that supports the issue's main editorial focus. Judges will examine the magazine's mission, industry served, and most importantly, the effectiveness of the illustration in supporting these, as well as how the typography works within the illustration and overall design. An adequate number of cover lines, their ability to communicate useful information to the reader, and legibility are important judging considerations. Submit cover only.
• Front Cover - Photo - Submit one cover that uses a photo or photos to illustrate and support the issue's main editorial focus. Judges will examine the magazine's mission, industry served, and most importantly, the power of the photograph, as well as how the typography works within the photograph and overall design. An adequate number of cover lines, their ability to communicate useful information to the reader, and legibility are important judging considerations. Submit cover only.
  • Note: Covers with altered images should be submitted to the Front Cover - Photo Illustration category. Covers with altered images entered into this category will be disqualified.
• Front Cover - Photo Illustration - Submit one cover that uses an altered photograph to illustrate and support the issue's main editorial focus. Judges will examine the magazine's mission, industry served, and most importantly, the effectiveness of the photo illustration, as well as how the typography works within the photo illustration and overall design. An adequate number of cover lines, their ability to communicate useful information to the reader, and legibility are important judging considerations. Submit cover only.
• Front Cover - Typographic - Submit one cover that uses typography to illustrate and support the issue's main editorial focus. Judges will examine the magazine's mission, industry served, and most importantly, the effectiveness of the type treatment and how it works within the overall design. Accent images or illustrations that complement the type treatment are allowed for consideration. Submit cover only.
• Opening Page/Spread - Illustration - Entries should effectively complement the article or department they introduce. Submit one opening page or spread that supports the article's main editorial focus. Judges will examine the effectiveness of the illustration in supporting the article, as well as the content, graphics, typography, images, layout and design.
• Opening Page/Spread - Photo - Entries should effectively complement the article or department they introduce. Submit one opening page or spread that uses a photo or photos to illustrate and support the article's main editorial focus. Judges will evaluate the power of the photograph, as well as the graphics, typography, images, layout and design.
  • Note: Opening pages and spreads with altered images should be submitted to the Opening Page/Spread - Photo Illustration category. Entries with altered images entered into this category will be disqualified.
• Opening Page/Spread - Photo Illustration - Entries should effectively complement the article or department they introduce, using an altered photograph to illustrate and support the article or department's editorial focus. Judges will evaluate the power of the photo illustration as well as the graphics, typography, images, layout and design.
• Opening Page/Spread - Typographic - Entries should effectively complement the article or department they introduce. Judges will be looking for a type treatment that adeptly commands the page in the same way a strong image would. Accent photos or graphics that complement the type treatment are allowed for consideration.
• Print Article Design - Enter one print article whose design uses quality images, graphics and typography to complement the content of an entire article. Consistent themes, clarity of information, strong use of entry points, as well as space, are among the judging considerations.
  • Print Article Design entries are subdivided by frequency of publication: 11 or fewer issues per year and 12 or more issues per year. Please include annual supplements and special issues from the entry year (2023) in your count.
  • Note: Enter web article designs into Web Article Design.
• Publication Design - Submit two consecutive issues of your publication. Both print and digital publications formatted as flipbooks are eligible for entry. Design briefs can be submitted for consideration as part of the entry. Judges will be looking for a clear visual hierarchy and design that serves the content and presents it clearly, as well as how the design quickly conveys important news. Effective use of white space, color, photography, illustration, typography, visual storytelling and infographics will be assessed.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Publication Redesign - Submit the first issue/edition of a redesigned publication (magazine, digital magazine, website, newsletter, etc.) as published in the entry year, and one regular issue/edition (not a special issue) of the old design as published immediately prior to the redesigned issue/edition. For websites, please provide "before" screenshots. Design briefs can be submitted for consideration as part of the entry. Judges will be looking for publications redesigned for a clear visual hierarchy and design that serves the content and presents it clearly, as well as how the design quickly conveys important news. Effective use of white space, color, photography, illustration, typography, visual storytelling and data visualization will be assessed.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Web Article Design - Enter one web article whose design uses quality images, graphics and typography to complement the content of the entire article. Consistent themes, clarity of information, strong use of entry points, as well as space, are among the judging considerations.
  • Note: Enter print articles into Print Article Design.
• Website Design - Submit the homepage URL plus up to nine URLs for additional pages that should have the judges' attention. Judges will be looking for good visual design that enhances the purpose of the site, a thoughtful user interface, and primary content above the fold. Effective use of new technologies and multimedia capabilities will be taken into account.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.

Online Categories

Web articles can also be entered in the categories in the All Content division above.

• Best Social Media Campaign - Did your social media team put together a well-thought-out and -executed plan to promote your publication across social media channels? Whether promoting a specific article, issue, event or program, did this work get noticed outside of your normal audience? Show us your team's most outstanding social media campaign of the past year. Supply 5 to 10 URLs, along with one PDF of supporting documentation showcasing your reader interaction (likes, comments, shares, click-throughs, etc.). Judges will evaluate how well a campaign has been rolled out over various social media platforms — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. — along with writing, design and presentation, and interaction. Supply username/password where needed to view the content you are highlighting on your website.
• Event Coverage - This category honors enterprising digital coverage of trade shows, conferences and other industry events by an industry publication. Submit 3-5 individual articles, videos and/or other pieces of multimedia related to one industry event (do not submit landing pages or microsites). This category is judged based on writing, reporting, value to reader and multimedia offerings, either during or after the event, and particularly on coverage that demonstrates editorial independence and objectivity. Describe why this event coverage was important to your readers and how your coverage met that need. Supply username/passwords where necessary to view content.
• Online Breaking News Coverage - Submit 3-4 stories in response to a single breaking news development that demonstrate solid reporting/writing skills and timeliness of coverage. Comprehensiveness, insight, and skillful presentation of useful material are important. This category is the "breaking" version of our "Single Topic Coverage" categories and is meant to gauge your team's ability to provide speedy, cohesive and informative coverage. In your essay, explain how your team developed the coverage and pulled together to cover the news/event. The coverage should demonstrate what topic/issue was investigated, stick to the facts and include attribution to the details uncovered, address what readers need to know and how the development is impacting the industry. Provide the total number of articles published on this breaking news item in your entry essay.
  • Note: Articles built around original research, including surveys by a publication, should be entered in the Original Research category.
• Online Industry News Coverage - This category is for regularly updated coverage of a variety of news stories from successive dates across the entry year, not a single topic. Along with general criteria, judges will look for timeliness, evidence of frequent updating, examples of interpretive reporting, data visualization and links to additional information. Please provide your website's home page URL as well as up to 6 entry-specific URLs and username/password where needed to access content.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
• Online Single Topic Coverage by a Team - Entry may include URLs for up to five articles on the same topic by members of a publication's writing team, including staff writers, editors, freelancers, or industry experts. The articles must have been published online within the entry year.
  • Note: If your articles appeared first in print, please submit to the Single Topic Coverage by a Team category in the Print division. Submit here if your articles appeared online first.
• Online State of the Industry - Submit your "State of the Industry" (SOI) microsite or related series of articles (up to 10 URLs) focused on current industry trends and performance as covered by your publication. Entry must contain a complete example of editorially controlled state of the industry coverage, planned as a package or series, that appeared during the entry year, including an overview that puts your SOI package in perspective for the audience. Comprehensiveness, insight and skillful presentation of useful material are important. No advertorials.
  • Note: Only one entry per publication brand is permitted in this category.
  • For print coverage, please enter our State of the Industry category in the Print division.
• Podcast - Submit the URL for one podcast episode. Podcasts should be audio only, no video. Judges will examine insightfulness, production values, and engagement of content and speakers. Supply your website's home page URL, as well as the entry-specific URL and username/password where needed to view content.
• Video - News and Feature - Submit one online video, long or short-form, that demonstrates creative use of video to tell a story. Videos submitted must be produced in-house, not by an outside production company. Judges will evaluate how video medium was best suited for the story, and how the final work was designed with digital, mobile and/or social platforms in mind. Discuss how the video was produced, including filming, interviews, sound, text, animation and graphics. Supply URL and username/password where needed to view content.
• Video - Tutorial - Submit one online video that was primarily intended to explain or describe a business or technical process, product or technology. Videos submitted must be produced in-house, not by an outside production company. Describe why you chose video to demonstrate this subject. Judges will evaluate the clarity of the video in explaining the subject and how the work was designed with digital, mobile and/or social platforms in mind. Supply URL and username/password where needed to view content.
• Web Feature Article - Submit one in-depth online feature story, demonstrating solid reporting and writing skills, that presents depth and breadth on a subject. Comprehensiveness, insight, and skillful presentation of useful material is important. Supply URL and username/passwords where needed to view content.
  • Web Feature Article entries are subdivided into two groups: Association publications and Industry publications.
  • Because of the high numbers of entries in the Web Feature Article category, please note that there are several more focused categories for feature-length stories that you might consider entering:
    • Articles that cover breaking news should be entered in the Online Breaking News Coverage (Online) or Enterprise News Story (All Content) categories.
    • Features examining breaking news should be entered in the News Analysis category (All Content).
    • Research-based features, including surveys by a magazine, should be entered in the Original Research category (All Content).
    • Features built around original investigative reporting should be entered into the Impact/Investigative category (All Content).
    • Multiple, related features can be entered in Web Feature Series (Online).
    • Case Histories have their own category (All Content).
    • Features detailing a process can be entered in the Web How-To Article category (Online).
    • Features examining a technology in great detail can be entered in the Technical Article category (All Content).
• Web Feature Series - Submit URLs for a set of feature articles, planned in advance as a series, that thoroughly investigate a single topic from its various aspects. The articles in the series must have been published online during the entry year. Supply username/password where needed to view content.
• Web Microsite/Special Section - This category is for a cluster of webpages that is meant to supplement the primary site with specialized content typically of a single theme or topic. The landing page for the section likely has its own domain or subdomain name, but that is not a requirement. The microsite/special section can either be accessible to the public or it can be a premium content section that requires users to log in. Along with the general criteria, the microsite will be judged on its cohesiveness to the rest of the website in which it sits. Please enter your website's home page address, as well as entry-specific microsite URLs and username/password (where required to access material).
  • Note: This category is only open to editorially controlled sections.

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