Canadian online publishing awards launched

Congratulations to Mastheadonline magazine for launching the first-ever Canadian Online Publishing Awards, a new awards program honouring excellence in online editorial and innovation by Canadian magazine and website publishers. Contest rules are here. Entries cost $50.

The competition is open to English- or French-language online publications based in Canada. The publication must carry some original editorial content (i.e. content published first online), and a minimum average of 80% Canadian editorial content (written and/or edited by Canadians living in Canada). Websites published by daily newspapers, community newspapers, book publishers and broadcasters are not eligible. (Note: "Magazine websites" published by newspaper publishers are accepted.) Websites that are strictly promotional sites or act as a brochure site for a magazine are also ineligible unless they feature some original content written.

There are two divisions -- one for consumer, custom, religious and public associations; one for business-to-business, professional associations, farm and scholarly. Within each division are ten categories:

1. Best overall magazine website

2. Best overall online-only publication website

3. Best website design

4. Best news coverage

5. Best blog

6. Best video feature

7. Best community feature

8. Best online-only article or series of articles

9. Best cross-platform initiative

10. Best e-newsletter