Categories & criteria


You can browse the categories and criteria below, simply click on the arrow to the right of the category you’re interested in, then on 'View Criteria' for the full details.


If you are only entering one category all you need to do is select 'enter now', but if you are entering more than one use the tick boxes next to each of the categories you plan to enter.


Entry eligibility period – 1 June 2022 to 30 July 2023

For the purposes of this award, a brand extension is anything which expands the reach and influence of a brand or publication among an existing/new target audience. Examples can include (but not restricted to) new print or digital content streams, social media channels, launches, events, merchandise, books, supplements, or new uses of data.

This item is not available

Entries should demonstrate:

  • a creative and innovative approach
  • strong commercial performance
  • sustainability of the relationships and revenues generated
  • interaction with the community that the brand serves
  • robust metrics that outline how the brand extension has contributed to wider business goals

This award is for business-to-business titles either in print or digital form that have had an excellent overall performance in the market. Judges will look for the title that has consistently delivered exceptional content, insights, and analysis for its audience, and one that has set the benchmark for innovation, and impact among its readership.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • expertise in its core business area
  • editorial & visual that represents and enhances the brand
  • understanding the needs of its audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation and creativity in approach

Note: titles/publications do not have to exist in print.

This award is open to any brand or magazine who publishes specifically for younger readers in clever, creative, and informative ways. Judges will be looking for the brand making significant contributions in this unique area and one that has become a trusted and beloved name amongst a younger audience.
This item is not available

Entries should demonstrate:

  • understanding of the needs of the target audience
  • strong commercial performance
  • editorial & design appropriate for the audience
  • a multi-channel approach which results in deeper audience engagement
  • a commitment to championing and demonstrating diversity across the brand

Open to commentators and opinion-formers who reach their audiences through regular by-lines for b2b and consumer media brands. They reach their audiences through a regular column or feature, or by blog, e-mail or newsletter across print and online. Our judges will be looking for content of the highest quality and insight that informs, educates, and leads opinion within their target communities.
This item is not available

Entries should demonstrate:

  • an authoritative writing style
  • content which is trustworthy, informative, entertaining, educational or leads opinion within a target community
  • a sense of personality and individual style which is obvious throughout the series
  • examples of this individual’s content positively impacting the community
  • examples of increased audience engagement or similar metrics that contribute to the brand’s success

Successful teams are goal-focused, communicate well and support each other to deliver on business objectives.

This category recognises a commercial team that has achieved outstanding revenue growth and diversification on a product, marketing service initiative, or brand through any (or multiple) platform(s), be it print, online, face-to-face, events, video, audio, supplements, or other offerings over the past 12 months.

This item is not available

Judges will be looking for:

  • proactive generation of revenue, volume, yield and market share
  • how the team’s collaborative working has impacted delivering on business goals
  • innovative, cross-platform solutions addressing customers’ needs
  • expert knowledge of market, medium and brand
  • client and customer satisfaction through testimonials, engagement data or other metrics

This award is for consumer titles that have had an excellent overall performance in the market. Judges will look for the title that has consistently delivered for its audience, that has set the standard for quality, relevance, innovation, and impact among its readership.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • understanding the needs of its target audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • editorial and design that represents and enhances the brand
  • a multi-channel approach which results in deeper audience engagement
  • innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of its market

Note: titles/publications do not have to exist in print.

Sponsored by:

Standout covers display exceptional creativity and design which can be headline grabbing, a piece of art, or simply capturing a moment or theme that makes the reader want to find out more.

This award is for the standout and visually striking front covers that capture the attention of the audience, are simply unmissable, and effectively convey the essence of the magazine content.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • an instant visual impact with imaginative use of design, photography, and/or illustration
  • coverlines that sell the content and changes the conversation
  • how the cover appeals to both new and core readers
  • evidence of audience engagement
  • how the cover fits in with the overall brand

Note: Brands/publications may enter multiple front covers.

This category recognises the digital and print publication that has best served the members or customers of an organisation, society or institution, as a medium for news, views and information in the last year.

This item is not available

Judges will look for:

  • how the publication matches the readers’ information needs and reflects the organisation’s aims and values
  • how the publication adds value to the readers’ relationship with the organisation
  • well-targeted editorial, design and production for the target audience
  • evidence of innovation to improve the publication for the readership
  • strong commercial performance
Sponsored by:

A great designer truly understands their audience and brings to life the essence and personality of their brand.

This award recognises exceptional talent and innovation in design and is open to Creative Directors, Art Directors or Designers whose skilful and distinctive work has elevated a media brand or publication.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • evidence of how the design work has played a key part in the success of the brand or publication
  • excellent use of photography, typography, layout and illustration
  • imaginative and creative designs which push the usual boundaries
  • an awareness of the needs of the target audience
  • how the design work translates across all platforms for the brand/publication

Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only

Smart thinking, audience insight and clear goals are key ingredients to highly effective campaigns. Have you delivered an exceptional digital campaign in the last 12 months that has engaged with a new audience, increased subscribers/delegates, or has changed the conversation in some way?

This item is not available

Our judges will be looking for evidence of:

  • a strategic campaign with a compelling narrative
  • creativity and visually compelling content
  • strong engagement with target audience 
  • a positive impact on the product/portfolio/initiative that it serves, meeting or exceeding objectives
  • an innovative and original approach

Strong editorial vision is at the core of a successful brand. This award recognises exceptional editorial leadership of a media brand or publication whose consistent brilliance has put their publication at the forefront of the market.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how their overall contribution has enhanced the success of the brand/publication
  • how they have driven high quality journalism and trusted content
  • significant editorial developments and innovative approaches
  • understanding of and engagement with the market and/or audience through content
  • impressive results including audience reach and/or commercial performance

Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only.

Sponsored by:

This category rewards the very best editorial photograph published in the past year. The photograph must be of either (1) a location in Scotland, (2) a Scot, or (3) a Scotland-themed subject. The winner of this category will be determined by a judging panel drawn from the publishing and professional photography sectors. Each entry must include a 70-word summary of the editorial feature for which the photograph was used, and how the photograph elevated/ complimented the content piece.
This item is not available

In selecting the winner, judges will look for demonstration of: 

  • instant attention-grabbing visual impact
  • mastery of the basic elements of photography: line, shape, form, texture, colour, size and depth
  • relevance of the imagery to the editorial narrative (70-word summary required)
  • creative approach to composition, or photographic technique, used to convey an idea in an original and imaginative way 
  • the use of style to showcase personal originality and technique to influence how the image is presented and interpreted

All entries for this award are FREE.

Events bring our brands to life, allowing interaction with customers and forging closer ties with key audiences.

This award recognises an outstanding event, either in-person, hybrid, or online, such as awards, conference, experiential event, festival, community event, virtual talks or any bespoke event, at which the media brand or publisher brings together its audience.

The event can either stem from an existing parent brand or be a wholly standalone experience.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • evidence of innovation and creativity in approach
  • relevant event format and engaging content
  • significant audience reach or measurable results
  • strong performance against the event’s aims and objectives
  • deep levels of engagement with the target audience
Sponsored by:

Let’s hear it for the small but mighty independent publisher, a business that punches above its weight delivering an impressive performance and making significant contributions to the publishing landscape. This award celebrates the resilience, creativity, and impact of independent publishing companies.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • knowledge of the market and quality content
  • a solid commercial performance
  • innovation and new developments which elevate the company above its competitors
  • ongoing commitment and understanding of its community, customers and/or audiences
  • how it adapts and responds to market changes
Sponsored by:

This award recognises the media brand or publication who has launched or relaunched successfully during the eligibility period. A successful launch/ relaunch sets itself apart by making a significant mark and showing promising potential for future growth and success.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • measurable results detailing the success of the launch/relaunch
  • innovation and creativity
  • strong performance against the aims and objectives
  • how it meets the needs of its target audience or community
  • deep levels of engagement with its audience or community

This award is for a consumer or business media brand that demonstrates excellence in serving the needs of its target audience across multiple channels (print, online, face-to-face, events, broadcast, mobile, supplements, other digital offerings). Our judges are looking for a brand that has shown outstanding innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of its market.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • how they understand and meet the needs of the target audience
  • a strong commercial performance
  • innovation in responding to the changing dynamics of the market
  • a multi-channel approach that creates a deeper engagement with the audience
  • increasing the visibility of the brand within the market

This award honours high performing newsletter content that consistently delivers valuable, engaging and informative content to its audience. From regular news digests, sharing ideas and insight, to delivering invaluable information and opinion, this award will recognise the creativity and engagement that comes from truly knowing your audience.

Entries can be for newsletters created to complement existing brands or publications, to help launch new ones, or as a standalone product.
This item is not available

Entries should demonstrate:

  • excellent audience engagement and readership figures (please provide metrics)
  • a well-planned customer journey
  • evidence of an increased reach or deepened engagement
  • creativity and innovation in content or approach
  • strong performance against the newsletter’s aims and objectives

Podcasts deliver exceptional content, captivate listeners, and connect specialist media brands with their audience in a unique way.

This award is for podcasts which are created by publishers to complement existing brands or publications, or to help launch new ones. The podcasts can be produced in-house or using external production support.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • excellent audience engagement and listening figures
  • innovation and creativity
  • original content which meets the needs of the target audience
  • strong performance against the podcast’s aims and objectives
  • well researched topics and trusted content resources

This category recognises outstanding and impactful magazine and newspaper supplements, stand-alone special editions, and one-shots. Judges will look for supplement’s that provide readers with unique and valuable content, enhancing the overall reading experience and contributing to the success of the magazine/print.

This item is not available

Entries must demonstrate:

  • exceptional editorial content
  • creative design and visual appeal
  • impressive reader engagement (please provide metrics)
  • relevance and timeliness
  • strong performance against the supplements aims and objectives

This award looks to reward and champion ways in which publishers have created long-term positive impact by developing strategies, initiatives, projects or events that make significant strides in reducing environmental impact, promote social responsibility and foster sustainable practices.
This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • an understanding of the company’s responsibility towards acting sustainably now and in the future
  • initiatives that are helping to create long term change
  • the impact of the movement on the business
  • success in relation to the objectives and expectations
  • ways in which sustainability is a clear priority for the business

The best writers have a unique style and an engaging way with words. For those who craft compelling content that connects with an audience, this award is for you.

This award is open to anyone who writes for a media brand or publication on one platform or across multiple platforms.

This item is not available

Entries should clearly demonstrate the following:

  • original, entertaining and/or engaging writing
  • well researched and credible journalism
  • content that is appropriate to the relevant audience
  • a distinctive personal style
  • an understanding of the audience

Individuals may enter this category once under one brand/publication only.

We are looking for a young writer (aged 25 and under on 31 December 2023) whose exceptional talent and skills have made a significant impact to a print or digital publication.
This item is not available

The winning entry will show evidence of:

  • the writer’s promise, originality, and flair
  • ability to engage and captivate target readers
  • a broader contribution to the print or online publication. This will be judged through a 300-word testimonial from an editor, course leader or other senior figure they have worked with.

All shortlisted entrants will win a free place to attend the PPA Scotland Awards celebration on 29 November 2023.