A piece of journalism generated from one news organization that uncovers information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations may bear consequences to their lives. Judged on depth and significance of topic.

A piece of journalism generated from one news organization that uncovers information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations may bear consequences to their lives. Judged on depth and significance of topic.

An investigative report generated by journalists from two or more institutions that through collaboration uncovers information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations bear consequences to their lives.

An investigative report generated by journalists from two or more institutions that through collaboration uncovers information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations bear consequences to their lives.

A best news or event feature, which may be a single story or a series of stories focusing on a common subject, often generated by hard/breaking news.

A best news or event feature, which may be a single story or a series of stories focusing on a common subject, often generated by hard/breaking news.

This category recognizes exceptional reporting in the area of business represented by a single major event, told through one article or through a series of articles or an investigative/enterprise piece.

This category recognizes exceptional reporting in the area of business represented by a single major event, told through one article or through a series of articles or an investigative/enterprise piece.

Evaluation of overall content in regards to business/Finance - with focus on analysis and insight, as well as wit and wisdom.

Evaluation of overall content in regards to business/Finance - with focus on analysis and insight, as well as wit and wisdom.

Evaluation of overall content in regards to news and politics - with focus on analysis and insight as well as wit and wisdom.

Evaluation of overall content in regards to news and politics - with focus on analysis and insight as well as wit and wisdom.

Effective use of design, using visual representations that deliver clarity of information to all viewers. Special attention paid to how well different data elements are incorporated into one cohesive, eye-catching and impactful graphic(s). A link to view infographic online should be submitted, along with a statement, identifying the topic and objective.

Effective use of design, using visual representations that deliver clarity of information to all viewers. Special attention paid to how well different data elements are incorporated into one cohesive, eye-catching and impactful graphic(s). A link to view infographic online should be submitted, along with a statement, identifying the topic and objective.

The successful creation of online communities that shared ideas, exchanged information and promoted user interaction by utilizing one or more social media channels (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et al) that significantly enhanced a news story via information, photos, video, etc.

The successful creation of online communities that shared ideas, exchanged information and promoted user interaction by utilizing one or more social media channels (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, et al) that significantly enhanced a news story via information, photos, video, etc.

This category recognizes creative thinkers and their quest to tell a story using innovation and originality. Judges will focus on projects that were successful communicating information, using new ideas and technology – and quality of execution.

This category recognizes creative thinkers and their quest to tell a story using innovation and originality. Judges will focus on projects that were successful communicating information, using new ideas and technology – and quality of execution.

Community Service may be one or a series of articles focused on a common subject or goal, and how it contributed to improvements of the community served.

Community Service may be one or a series of articles focused on a common subject or goal, and how it contributed to improvements of the community served.

A Best News or Event Feature Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on a common subject often generated by hard/breaking news where video plays a significant part in telling the story. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. Video must be edited to a maximum length of 30 minutes.

A Best News or Event Feature Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on a common subject often generated by hard/breaking news where video plays a significant part in telling the story. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. Video must be edited to a maximum length of 30 minutes.

An Investigative/Enterprise Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on new information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations may bear consequences to their lives. The reporting is significantly enhanced through the use of video. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. (Video edited to 30 minutes)

An Investigative/Enterprise Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on new information that may or may not be apparent to the public, whose revelations may bear consequences to their lives. The reporting is significantly enhanced through the use of video. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. (Video edited to 30 minutes)

A Best Sports Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on a sport related subject/topic where video plays a significant contribution in effectively communicating that story. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. Video must be edited to a maximum length of 30 minutes.

A Best Sports Video is a single story or a series of stories focusing on a sport related subject/topic where video plays a significant contribution in effectively communicating that story. Judged on originality, depth, significance of topic told through video. Video must be edited to a maximum length of 30 minutes.

Original journalistic storytelling told through a podcast that can be an individual episode or a series of stories as related to a specific subject/topic that educates, inspires and/or entertains. You can use all 4 links, but combined content should not exceed 30 minutes.

Original journalistic storytelling told through a podcast that can be an individual episode or a series of stories as related to a specific subject/topic that educates, inspires and/or entertains. You can use all 4 links, but combined content should not exceed 30 minutes.

Best use of photography on a website to tell or accompany one story: or a slide show that is captioned or accompanies a story.

Best use of photography on a website to tell or accompany one story: or a slide show that is captioned or accompanies a story.

The use of editorial cartoons that promote thoughtful consideration of public events/news or that accompanies editorial material.

The use of editorial cartoons that promote thoughtful consideration of public events/news or that accompanies editorial material.

This category recognized effective integration of branded content into web sites in such a way that it provides an effective marketing vehicle for the advertiser enhances while retaining an appropriate separation from editorial content. The goal of this category is to find new or better ways to integrate branded content into news publishing web sites. Note that “branded content” is defined as: Content that lives on on brand-owned properties “that promotes the owner’s brand values, and makes audiences choose to engage with the brand based on a pull logic due to its entertainment, information, and/or education value.”

This category recognized effective integration of sponsored content into web sites in such a way that it provides an effective marketing vehicle for the advertiser enhances while retaining an appropriate separation from editorial content. The goal of this category is to find new or better ways to integrate sponsored content into news publishing web sites. Note that “sponsored content” is defined as: Content that is produced as a collaborative effort between the publisher and the advertiser. While branded content lives on brand-owned properties, sponsored content is hosted on the publisher’s site.

A website whose layout and graphics are appealing and whose composition and typography supports strong content.

A website whose layout and graphics are appealing and whose composition and typography supports strong content.

This recognizes attractive web page design that provides for the appropriate display of content, clear navigation, strong and dynamic structure, effective advertising display as well as strong branding, typography, spacing and color use.

This recognizes attractive web page design that provides for the appropriate display of content, clear navigation, strong and dynamic structure, effective advertising display as well as strong branding, typography, spacing and color use.

Comparison of old vs. new and evaluation of improvements across all judging criteria (Note: A URL for old website must be provided and accessible in order to enter this category. The “before” version can be a snapshot of homepage or a series of snapshots of the site prior to the redesign.)

Comparison of old vs. new and evaluation of improvements across all judging criteria (Note: A URL for old website must be provided and accessible in order to enter this category. The “before” version can be a snapshot of homepage or a series of snapshots of the site prior to the redesign.)

Recognizes clear, effective, unique and well designed navigation schemes for websites. Navigation might be dynamic or include content or advertising. The goal of this category is to reward innovation and new ideas that might advance the industry.

Recognizes clear, effective, unique and well designed navigation schemes for websites. Navigation might be dynamic or include content or advertising. The goal of this category is to reward innovation and new ideas that might advance the industry.

This category recognizes effective integration of a business or advertiser as a supporter of a charitable cause or a social issue that provides an effective marketing vehicle for the advertiser enhances while retaining an appropriate separation from editorial content. The goal of this category is to find new or better ways to integrate cause marketing/corporate social responsibility campaigns into news publishing web sites.

This category recognizes effective integration of a business or advertiser as a supporter of a charitable cause or a social issue that provides an effective marketing vehicle for the advertiser enhances while retaining an appropriate separation from editorial content. The goal of this category is to find new or better ways to integrate cause marketing/corporate social responsibility campaigns into news publishing web sites.

Online promotional/marketing campaign used to enhance and shape the media company's brand or image to promote and increase readership and overall audience awareness.

Online promotional/marketing campaign used to enhance and shape the media company's brand or image to promote and increase readership and overall audience awareness.