As the National Magazine Awards Foundation announces the 2014 Call for Entries, there are a few important changes this year.
Each year the NMAF reviews its awards program in consultation with our stakeholders, participants, judges and industry experts in order to ensure that we continue to provide the best service to the Canadian magazine industry. This year is no exception, and we want to thank those stakeholders who took time to contact us, respond to surveys and participate in our round-table discussions to give their voice to proposed changes to the National Magazine Awards. We at the NMAF are looking forward to another great year of evaluating, recognizing and awarding the best in Canadian magazines.
— Joyce Byrne, President, NMAF
THE END OF PHOTOCOPYING!
Yes, that’s right—you’ll save countless hours and avoid numerous paper cuts (and so will we) as we no longer require six photocopied, collated sets of every written-category entry. Instead, we are moving to a print-on-demand format, which means you’ll need to upload an 8.5″x11″ printable PDF for each entry in written categories. (Double-page spreads are preferred for visual and integrated categories.) Please read the “How to Package” instructions carefully as hard copies are still required for whole-book and some special and integrated categories.
ONE NEW AWARD: BEST MAGAZINE BRAND
Magazine publishers work hard to extend their brand across multiple platforms to attract readers and grow their business, and this year the NMAF will recognize this with the award for Best Magazine Brand. Whether you’re advancing your publishing mandate with mobile apps, radio and television broadcasts, live events, SIPs, social media campaigns or other innovations in audience engagement, we want to recognize your work and showcase your brand to the industry. Read more about this new award and its submissions requirements.
10% FEWER CATEGORIES
We hear you: everyone wants fewer categories, but no one wants us to cut their categories. So we did our research, talked to stakeholders, reviewed past entries, discussed many options and determined the following:
- How-To and Service Journalism: What was 4 categories is now 2 – Service: Lifestyle and Service: Family, Health & Personal Finance. Submitters will find a home for their entries in these refurbished categories.
- Blogs and Columns: The former Blogs category has been merged with Columns, so that submissions from both print and online columns are eligible in the new Columns category. Blogs that are more curated creations of dynamic and thematic content may be eligible in the category Editorial Package (Web).
- Creative Photography and Beauty: These categories, which were created in recent years, have not received enough participation to merit continuation. Submitters in these categories will find their work may be eligible for the awards Still-Life Photography, Fashion, Portrait Photography and/or Words & Pictures.
Please review the complete list and definitions of categories before submitting your work for this year’s National Magazine Awards.
A LITTLE HELP FOR SMALL MAGAZINES
We understand that smaller magazines have a tough time competing when budgets are tight. So this year we’re introducing a Small Magazine Rebate—one FREE entry to every Canadian magazine whose annual revenue is $200,000 or less. Read more about how to apply for this great opportunity for small and literary magazines.
A NEW NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS GALA
In the spring of 2015 we’ll be announcing a few changes to the annual awards gala with the aim of providing a more enjoyable, affordable and rewarding experience for guests. We’re also accepting suggestions from you about how we can improve the gala experience, and who you’d like to see as Master of Ceremonies. Get in touch with us with your ideas.
Submissions are now being accepted for the 2014 National Magazine Awards. Early-bird deadline: January 11. Final deadline: January 19.
