Entries are now open for the Press Gazette Regional Press Awards.
This year’s awards categories again include the categories of multimedia journalist of the year and multimedia publisher of the year, to reflect the importance of digital publishing in the regional press.
Following feedback from editors, the category of campaign of the year has been reinstated and a new prize for magazine of the year has been launched to recognise the growing number of standalone regional publications which go beyond news.
In view of the tough economic climate, Press Gazette’s commercial team is working with sponsors to try to reduce the costs for journalists attending the event, and has already made a deal with Virgin Trains to provide a discount for those travelling to the awards lunch in London on 8 May.
Last year was considered by many to be one of the most memorable Regional Press Awards events ever – with 650 entries and an awards lunch which included a remarkable video message from multimedia journalist of the year Adrian Sudbury, who had just weeks to live.
LBC breakfast host and former regional press journalist Nick Ferrari is to host the event again this year.
And former Northern Echo editor and director of Press Association Training Peter Sands is again chairman of judges.
He said: “It is important that the industry continues to support these awards.
“They are without doubt the premier awards for the regional industry and never fail to reflect the excellent work that is carried out by newspapers and their journalists – often in difficult times.
“My role is to ensure that the judging process is scrupulously fair and meticulously done.
“There will be more than 40 independent specialists who will devote their time and expertise for free, simply because they believe these awards are crucial to the industry.”
For the full list of categories and details of how to enter, visit the 2009 Press Gazette Regional Press Awards site.
- The deadline for entries has now been extended to Friday 6 March at 5pm
- All entries must be published between 19 April 2008 and 2 March 2009.
- Shortlists will be announced on www.pressgazette.co.uk on 6 April.
- Winners will be announced after a second stage judging day and revealed at the awards lunch at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, on 8 May.
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