2012 Alberta Magazine Awards
The Alberta Magazine Awards will be presented at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala, March 22 at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary, as part of the 2012 Alberta Magazines Conference.
Submissions for both Showcase Awards and Achievement Awards are now closed. Best of luck to the nominees!
SHOWCASE AWARDS
Sponsored by TC Transcontinental Printing
SUBMISSIONS FOR SHOWCASE AWARDS ARE CLOSED
Showcase Categories
- Best Alberta Story
- Best Short Editorial
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Best Feature Design
- Best Cover
- Best Photo
- Best Illustration
- Best Digital Presence (NEW!)
Showcase Guidelines
- Showcase Awards recognize excellence in magazine editorial and design.
- Entries must have been published in the year 2011 in a magazine with current AMPA membership.
- Entries for “Best Digital Presence” (online publication or magazine companion website) must have been live online during at least part of the year 2011.
How to Enter Showcase Awards
SUBMISSIONS FOR SHOWCASE AWARDS ARE CLOSED
- Only current AMPA member magazines are eligible for the Showcase Awards. The Achievement Awards are open to non-members.
- Download your Alberta Magazine Awards Checklist to prepare your submissions material for the online entry form.
- Complete one Showcase Awards Entry Form for each entry. A magazine may submit up to 3 entries per category.
- Each entry must include a high-resolution (300 dpi) image, in PDF or JPG format, no larger than 20 MB.
- Each entry for “Best Digital Presence” must include an image with the above file specifications (e.g., screenshot of homepage) and a website URL (live from the date of entry through April 2012).
- The fee is $20 per entry ($10 for non-profit organizations). Payment can be made via PayPal (including credit cards) or by cheque. The online form will prompt selection of payment method.
Showcase Entry Criteria
SUBMISSIONS FOR SHOWCASE AWARDS ARE CLOSED
Only AMPA member magazines may submit entries. For longer pieces, provide a file of the full feature.
All entries will be evaluated by a specially selected judging panel of industry professionals for:
- creativity and originality
- appropriateness for target audience
- ability to engage readers
- overall impact
Best Alberta Story
- A story with a distinctly Alberta subject, flavour, and flair. This can be broadly interpreted, but examples include: a profile of a prominent or interesting Alberta person, place, or business; stories about Alberta’s cultural and economic scene; stories told from a distinctly Albertan perspective.
- Quality of writing; engaging voice and style.
Best Short Editorial
- Quality of writing; engaging voice and style.
- 1000 words or less.
Best Feature Design
- Use of compelling imagery and graphic elements.
- Imagery and graphic elements work creatively and engagingly to support the story narrative.
Best Cover
- Use of compelling imagery.
- Creative synergy among imagery and textual elements.
Best Photo
- A compelling and unique photo that works in the magazine context.
Best Illustration
- A compelling and unique illustration that works in the magazine context.
Best Digital Presence (NEW!)
- An online publication or magazine companion website that demonstrates high editorial standards and effective use of the digital medium to reach and engage the intended audience.
- Demonstrates best practices in navigation and architecture; interactivity, including use of social media or mobile apps; excellent content and outstanding design; and, if applicable, integration with print publication
Showcase Winner Recognition
The winner of each Showcase Award category will receive a $250 cash prize. Winners will be announced at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala held Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Calgary.
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ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
SUBMISSIONS FOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ARE CLOSED
Achievement Categories
- Achievement in Publishing
- Editor of the Year (Sponsored by Fairmont Hotels)
- Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Magazines Canada)
- Best New Magazine
Achievement Guidelines
- Achievement Awards recognize individuals or publications that have contributed significantly to Alberta's magazine publishing industry.
- Nominees must be current residents of Alberta and do not have to be AMPA members.
How to Nominate for Achievement Awards
SUBMISSIONS FOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ARE CLOSED
- Download your Alberta Magazine Awards Checklist to prepare your submissions material for the online nomination form.
- Complete one Achievement Awards Nomination Form for each nominee. Anyone can submit a nomination, and self-nominations are permitted.
- Each entry must include a written statement (limit of 500 words).
- There is no fee for nominations.
- Deadline for nominations: noon on January 31, 2012
Achievement Nomination Criteria
SUBMISSIONS FOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ARE CLOSED
A nominee can be anyone who has made a significant contribution to Alberta’s magazine publishing industry and is a current resident of Alberta. Nominees do not have to be members of AMPA. Anyone can submit a nomination, and self-nominations are permitted.
Editor of the Year
Eligibility:
To qualify, magazine editors must have been employed by an Alberta magazine and worked on at least two consecutive issues in the year 2011. Editors of magazines that do not abide by the national Magazine Ad-Edit Guidelines are not eligible. (View these guidelines)
Evaluation:
The Editor of the Year is someone who achieves standards of excellence in the creation of an Alberta magazine or magazines, who:
- fulfills the stated mandate or vision of the magazine through editorial content that is engaging and relevant to its target audience.
- maintains high standards of editorial quality throughout the magazine.
Judges will also recognise the nominee who demonstrates strong qualities of resourcefulness, collaboration and vision, as demonstrated by the nominee’s ability to:
- bring out excellence in writers.
- maximize economic and people resources in the creation of superior content.
- engage stakeholders in venues beyond the magazine in ways that strengthen the magazine’s brand and sustainability.
Achievement in Publishing
Eligibility:
This is a career achievement award. To qualify, a nominee must have worked a minimum of 5 years in the Alberta magazine industry. The award is open to all types of magazine professionals, including publishers, editors, art directors, freelancers, sales managers, and so on. Previous winners of this award are not eligible.
Evaluation:
- A history of creating excellent magazine content and/or products.
- Long-term success in the magazine industry.
- Significant contributions to the Alberta magazine industry, including volunteer work, advocacy, leadership, and collaboration.
Volunteer of the Year
Eligibility:
Anyone who has contributed more than 30 volunteer hours in 2011 to a member magazine or AMPA.
Evaluation:
Nominees will be evaluated on both their volunteer contributions in 2011 and their past history of volunteer involvement. This award seeks to recognize people who have bettered the Alberta magazine industry through their involvement and have inspired others to take part in the industry.
Best New Magazine
Eligibility:
A magazine with a head office in Alberta which began publishing within 18 months of December 31, 2011. Previous winners of this award are not eligible.
Evaluation:
Demonstrates excellence in editorial and design, fulfills a niche within the industry, and has strong potential for long-term sustainability.
Achievement Winner Recognition
Achievement Award winners will be announced at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala held Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Calgary.
Special thanks to our 2012 Achievement Awards sponsors
Fairmont Hotels and Magazines Canada:
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CONTACT US
For more information about the Alberta Magazine Awards, email awards@albertamagazines.com or call the AMPA office at 403.262.0081.
If you selected payment by cheque in your Showcase Awards entry form, please make payable to "Alberta Magazine Publishers Association" at:
Alberta Magazine Awards
#304, 1240 Kensington Rd NW
Calgary AB T2N 3P7
Submissions for both Showcase Awards and Achievement Awards are now closed. Best of luck to the nominees!
AMPA acknowledges the financial support of
the
Government of Canada
(through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage)
and the Government of Alberta (through the Alberta Multimedia Development Fund).
