GENERAL EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES 1 – 4

Rules and Eligibility: Magazines and websites may enter only one General Excellence category and may submit only one entry. Magazines that publish four or more issues a year and maintain active editorial websites must submit multiplatform entries.

This award honors print, digital and multiplatform publications for editorial excellence and audience engagement. The award also recognizes the importance of editorially driven brand extensions, including conferences and events. Judges will evaluate entries based on the achievement of editorial and visual superiority in print, online and in person; the cross-platform integration of print, digital and experiential content; and the editors’ success in serving the interests of their readers. Digital-only and cross-platform entries will also be evaluated based on the outstanding use of digital technologies and the overall quality of the mobile experience.

An entry may be print only, digital only or multiplatform, combining print and digital content. Print-only entries consist of three print issues. Digital-only entries consist of website content and may include social media and an app. Multiplatform entries consist of website content and no more than two print issues and may include social media and an app. Entries may include one special-interest or newsstand-only publication or one example of a newsletter. As many as three examples of editorially driven print, digital or experiential brand extensions may also be submitted but are not required.

The General Excellence award is presented in four categories organized by audience and content. Publications may choose which category to enter, subject to the approval of the administrators of the awards. ASME will email recommended categories to past General Excellence entrants before the first deadline for entry on October 24, 2024. The four categories are:

1 NEWS, SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to society, culture, politics, business, technology and professional sports

2 SERVICE AND LIFESTYLE

Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to fashion, food, travel, design, health, parenting, personal finance and active sports

3 SPECIAL INTEREST

Honors publications serving highly defined reader communities, including city and regional magazines

4 LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND POLITICS

Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to literature, science, news analysis, political and social commentary, media and the arts

DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES 5 – 6

Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit two entries in Design and two entries in Photography. Nonmembers may submit one entry in both categories. Entries may be submitted as print or digital content or as a combination of print and digital content.

5 DESIGN

This category honors overall excellence in the art direction of magazines and websites as demonstrated by three examples of work representative of the achievements of the publication. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality and effectiveness of the visual content of the magazine or website and on the ambitious use of graphic design to fulfill the editorial mission of the publication. Digital-only and multiplatform entries will also be judged based on design innovation, functional excellence and user accessibility. An entry consists of three examples of work, which may include but are not limited to single articles and social-media posts, clearly branded editorial packages, magazine covers and complete print issues. No more than two magazine covers or complete print issues may be submitted as part of an entry.

6 PHOTOGRAPHY

This category honors overall excellence in the photo direction of magazines and websites as demonstrated by three examples of work representative of the achievements of the publication. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality and effectiveness of the photo content of the magazine or website and on the inventiveness and skill with which photography is used to inform and entertain readers. Digital-only and multiplatform entries will also be judged based on user accessibility and the use of photography that explores the unique capabilities of digital media. An entry consists of three examples of work, which may include but are not limited to single articles and social-media posts, clearly branded editorial packages, magazine covers and complete print issues. No more than two magazine covers or complete print issues may be submitted as part of an entry.

For categories honoring individual examples of visual excellence, see the ASME Awards for Design, Photography and Illustration

PODCASTING AND VIDEO CATEGORIES 7 – 8

Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit four entries in Podcasting and four entries in Video. Nonmembers may submit two. Content primarily intended for radio and television is not eligible.

7 PODCASTING

This category honors the outstanding use of audio content by media organizations. Judges will evaluate entries based on the originality and creativity of the production, the expressiveness and insight of the participants and the quality and depth of the reporting and storytelling. Special weight will be given to entries that display the traditional characteristics of magazine storytelling, notably stylishness and concision. An entry consists of one episode of a podcast or a series of no more than three episodes linked by host or topic. Podcasts may also be entered in Single-Topic Issue, Service Journalism, Lifestyle Journalism, Reporting and Public Interest.

8 VIDEO

This category honors the outstanding use of video by media organizations, including user-generated content. Judges will evaluate entries based on the originality and creativity of the production and on the quality and consistency of the reporting and storytelling. Special weight will be given to entries that display the traditional characteristics of magazine storytelling, notably stylishness and concision. An entry consists of one video or no more than three thematically linked videos. Videos may also be entered in Single-Topic Issue, Service Journalism, Lifestyle Journalism, Reporting and Public Interest.

PRINT AND DIGITAL CATEGORIES 9 – 18

Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit four entries in each of these categories. Nonmembers may submit two. Entries may be submitted as print or digital content or as a combination of print and digital content.

9 SINGLE-TOPIC ISSUE

This category, traditionally called Single-Topic Issue despite the eligibility of websites, honors publications that have devoted a single print issue or a major digital package to the comprehensive examination of one subject or topic. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality and consistency of the reporting, writing and artwork and on the ambition and originality of the issue or package as a whole. An entry consists of a clearly branded special issue; a clearly defined digital package; or a special-interest or newsstand-only publication. Entries may include but not consist exclusively of podcasts, videos and social media. Single-topic issues may also be submitted in Service Journalism and Lifestyle Journalism; digital packages may be submitted in Service Journalism, Lifestyle Journalism, Reporting and Public Interest.

10 NEWSLETTERS

This category honors newsletters published on a regular schedule and in a consistent format. Newsletters entered in this category may be written by one or more journalists and cover one or more areas of interest, including but not limited to politics, business, technology, entertainment, service and lifestyle, while fulfilling the editorial promise made to subscribers. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality of the reporting, writing and packaging, including the use of design, photography and illustration to improve the reader experience; the depth of analysis; and the originality of perspective. Special weight will be given to entries that display the traditional characteristics of magazine storytelling, notably topicality and stylishness. An entry consists of three examples of one newsletter. Content from newsletters may also be submitted in other categories, including Service Journalism, Lifestyle Journalism, Reporting, Columns and Essays, Reviews and Criticism, and Public Interest.

11 SERVICE JOURNALISM

This category honors magazine journalism that addresses readers’ needs and aspirations while providing instruction and advice. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality of the reporting and writing, the value and usefulness of the content and the originality of perspective. Special weight will be given to skillful, innovative editorial packaging. An entry consists of one or no more than three thematically linked articles; a clearly branded editorial package; or a single-topic issue or special-interest or newsstand-only publication. Entries may include or consist exclusively of no more than three thematically linked videos or episodes of a podcast. Entries may also include or consist exclusively of social media.

12 LIFESTYLE JOURNALISM

This category honors magazine journalism that celebrates readers’ interests while providing inspiration or instruction. Entries in this category may include but are not limited to generously illustrated coverage of leisure and entertainment as well as fashion, food, travel and design. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality of the reporting and writing, the value and usefulness of the content and the originality of perspective. Special weight will be given to skillful, innovative editorial packaging. An entry consists of one or no more than three thematically linked articles; a clearly branded editorial package; or a single-topic issue or special-interest or newsstand-only publication. Entries may include or consist exclusively of no more than three thematically linked videos or episodes of a podcast. Entries may also include or consist exclusively of social media.

13 REPORTING

This category honors reporting excellence as exemplified by one article or a series of articles. Judges will evaluate entries based on the enterprise and skill of the reporter or reporters and reward entries for original reporting, insightful analysis and compelling narrative. Special weight will be given to the innovative use of digital media. An entry consists of one or no more than three thematically linked articles or a clearly branded editorial package. Entries may include but not consist exclusively of podcasts, videos and social media. Articles published in a single-topic issue may be entered, but an entire single-topic issue is not eligible. To facilitate the work of the judges, the administrators of the awards may request the submission of excerpts from entries longer than 18,000 words, such excerpts to be used only for preliminary evaluation of the entry.

14 FEATURE WRITING

This category honors the best feature stories of the year. Judges will evaluate entries based on the accuracy and depth of reporting but primarily on the vividness and perceptiveness of the writing. Stylishness and originality will be favored over mere length. An entry consists of one article, which may have been published in multiple parts. To facilitate the work of the judges, the administrators of the awards may request the submission of excerpts from entries longer than 18,000 words, such excerpts to be used only for preliminary evaluation of the entry.

15 PROFILE WRITING

This category honors news or feature stories that explore the character and background of an individual or a group of closely linked individuals. Judges will evaluate entries based on the accuracy and depth of the reporting and on the vividness and perceptiveness of the writing. Special weight will be given to concision and timeliness. An entry consists of one article or no more than three articles linked by writer or format. No entry longer than 12,000 words in aggregate may be submitted without the approval of the administrators of the awards.

16 COLUMNS AND ESSAYS

This category honors interpretative journalism, including but not limited to news analysis, political and social commentary and essays on the personal experience of the writer. Judges will evaluate entries based on the expressiveness and insight of the writer or writers and on the value of the work to the readers of the publication. An entry consists of one article or no more than three articles linked by writer or format. No entry longer than 12,000 words in aggregate may be submitted without the approval of the administrators of the awards.

17 REVIEWS AND CRITICISM

This category honors commentary on the arts, such as literary criticism and movie reviews, as well as reviews of products and services, including but not limited to writing about fashion, food, travel and design. Judges will evaluate entries based on the expressiveness and insight of the writer or writers and on the value of the work to the readers of the publication. An entry consists of one article or no more than three articles linked by writer or format. No entry longer than 12,000 words in aggregate may be submitted without the approval of the administrators of the awards.

18 PUBLIC INTEREST

This category honors magazine storytelling that illuminates issues of local, national or international importance. Judges will evaluate entries based on the quality of the reporting, analysis, writing and graphics and on the potential of the article or articles to affect public or private policies or practices. Special weight will be given to the innovative use of digital media. An entry consists of one or no more than three thematically linked articles or a clearly branded editorial package. Entries may include but not consist exclusively of podcasts or videos. Entries may also include or consist exclusively of social media. Articles published in a single-topic issue may be entered, but an entire single-topic issue is not eligible. To facilitate the work of the judges, the administrators of the awards may request the submission of excerpts from entries longer than 18,000 words, such excerpts to be used only for preliminary evaluation of the entry.