The Great Idea Awards honours newspapers in seven unique categories. The goal of the awards program is to showcase as many outstanding promotional initiatives as possible so newspapers are encouraged to enter up to five times in each category.
Please note: Newspapers may not enter the same promotion in multiple categories. If you require assistance in selecting the appropriate category for a submission, please contact Phillip Roh at 416-923-3567 ext. 321 or email proh@newspaperscanada.ca. All entries must be submitted in Portable Document Format (PDF) except for entries in the Special Section and Magazine categories which must be submitted in hard copy.
Community and daily newspapers compete separately, with categories broken down by circulation class. The categories are:
The intent of this award is to recognize those newspapers that take care in concept and design to promote their own newspaper or a service the newspaper provides. Eligible in this category are campaigns that promote your newspaper in one of three categories: readership, ad agencies and advertisers, and content promotion. Entries can include collateral materials such as advertising in other media. Submit a minimum of three different display ads or a series of at least three related but non-identical ads. Minimum size is 3 columns x 8 inches.
a) General Readership (including awareness ads, circulation-related contests and campaigns, carrier promotions and reader rewards programs)
b) Agencies and Advertisers (campaigns that promote the use of the newspapers by these groups)
c) Content Promotion (promoting print or online elements such as columns, blogs, photo galleries, and reader forums)
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – Small Market (up to 24999)
• Daily Newspapers – Large Market (25000 and over)
• Community Newspapers – (up to 9999)
• Community Newspapers – (10000 and over)
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, overall strategy (25 points);
• Implementation: copywriting, design, cohesiveness (of elements), visual appeal, creativity (25 points);
• Results: impact, outcome (25 points);
• Total: 75 points.
This category is for event-related campaigns and community events developed by newspapers to promote themselves or charities, local businesses, government or non-profit groups.
Submit full details of the program, newspaper coverage, media used, costs and a summary on the impact and effectiveness of the promotion. A 1-2 page explanatory letter summarizing the promotion may accompany the entry.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – Small Market (up to 24999)
• Daily Newspapers – Large Market (25000 and over)
• Community Newspapers – (up to 3999)
• Community Newspapers – (4000 to 24999)
• Community Newspapers – (25000 and over)
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, overall strategy (25 points);
• Implementation: copywriting, design, cohesiveness (of elements), visual appeal, creativity (25 points);
• Results: impact, outcome (25 points);
• Total: 75 points.
Entries can be a single ad or a campaign for an advertising client. We are looking for creative use of advertising space especially suited to newspapers.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – Small Market (up to 24999)
• Daily Newspapers – Large Market (25000 and over)
• Community Newspapers – (up to 3999)
• Community Newspapers – (4000 to 24999)
• Community Newspapers – (25000 and over)
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, overall strategy (25 points);
• Implementation: copywriting, layout and design, visual appeal, effective usage of newspaper space (25 points);
• Results: impact, outcome (25 points);
• Total: 75 points.
Special sections are separate or pull-out newspaper sections with four pages or more, containing both editorial and advertising content. They can be tabloid or broadsheet format.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – Small Market (up to 24999)
• Daily Newspapers – Large Market (25000 and over)
• Community Newspapers – (up to 3999)
• Community Newspapers – (4000 to 24999)
• Community Newspapers – (25000 and over)
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, creativity (10 points);
• Applicability: local relevance, local editorial content (10 points);
• Writing Quality (15 points);
• Implementation: strategy/approach, execution of theme, balance of editorial and advertising content(25 points);
• Design: typography, ad designs, page layout, use of graphic and photographic elements (20 points);
• Results: financial results, impact on readers (20 points);
• Total: 100 points.
This category highlights publications with separate binding that are distributed either separately or within the newspaper. Magazine entries must include editorial content.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – Small Market (up to 24999)
• Daily Newspapers – Large Market (25000 and over)
• Community Newspapers – (up to 3999)
• Community Newspapers – (4000 to 24999)
• Community Newspapers – (25000 and over)
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, creativity (10 points);
• Applicability: local relevance, local editorial content (10 points);
• Writing Quality (15 points);
• Implementation: strategy/approach, execution of theme, balance of editorial and advertising content(25 points);
• Design: typography, ad designs, page layout, use of graphic and photographic elements (20 points);
• Results: financial results, impact on readers (20 points);
• Total: 100 points.
This category celebrates innovative printed materials for, or featuring, advertising clients. We are looking for non-newsprint printed products that were distributed to your readers beyond the standard flyer or tab-on. Special Sections and Magazines are not eligible for this category and must be entered into their appropriate category.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – circulation Open
• Community Newspapers – circulation Open
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, creativity (20 points);
• Implementation: strategy/approach, visual appeal, design of elements, copywriting (30 points);
• Effective use of print medium: e.g. maps, stickers, canvas prints, holiday cards (30 points);
• Results: financial results, impact, outcome (20 points);
• Total: 100 points.
Entries for this category should be innovative digital advertising features or cross-platform campaigns that make exceptional use of the strengths of the digital realm. We are looking for something featuring great design and clever writing, that goes beyond the classic banner or skyscraper ad.
Circulation Classes:
• Daily Newspapers – circulation Open
• Community Newspapers – circulation Open
Judging will be based on:
• Idea / Concept: uniqueness, creativity (20 points);
• Implementation: strategy/approach, visual appeal, design of elements, copywriting (30 points);
• Effective use of technology and rich media: e.g. videos, social media, photo galleries, animation (30 points);
• Results: financial results, impact, outcome (20 points);
• Total: 100 points.
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