Asian Publishing Awards 2008

Incorporating

Asian Magazine Management Awards,

Asian Book Publishing Awards and

Asian Corporate Communications Awards

Honoring Asia’s Outstanding

Multi-media Publishing Practices

FACT SHEET

I. Background

The Asian Publishing Awards (APA) is Asia’s premier Awards program that recognizes best publishing practices in Asia. It is composed of three sets of awards - for Magazine Management, Book Publishing and Corporate Advertising and Communications – in a multi media setting. The award categories are:

Asian Magazine Management Awards

  1. Content Generation: The “editorial” product that serves the interests of a multi media audience
  2. Content Delivery: The “Circulation” and audience building activities including development of multi media channels
  3. Design and Layout: Getting the basics right for print, online or mobile media
  4. Multimedia Advertising: Using the new realities of multi media Ad delivery mechanisms to increase advertising and promotional revenue
  5. Magazine Franchise: Most successful launch of a licensed brand
  6. New Business Models: Making it all viable and sustainable

Asian Book Publishing Awards

  1. Best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher
  2. Best author

Asian Corporate Communications Awards

  1. Best use of multi-media by a corporate advertiser
  2. Innovative corporate communications in a multi-media world

The Awards ceremonies will take place during the Gala Dinner and Awards Night of the Asian Publishing Convention2008on August 15in Singapore. Hundreds of publishers, media, press, senior executives and professionals from government and business,will be present.

II. Categories and Criteria

In each category below, the award is for a project or service implemented or significantly enhanced in 2007 or 2008 as opposed to a continuing program of activity. In this sense, the awards are for the introduction of new projects or for the improvements, in 2007/2008 of existing programs and systems. There should be objective, quantifiable and verifiable measurements as to the effectiveness of the project.

Note that in all cases, judges will look at how well the project or program got the fundamentals right and at the same time integrated with and made the most of the emerging multi-media realities.

ASIAN MAGAZINE MANAGEMENT AWARDS

1. Content Generation: The “editorial” product that servesthe interests of a multi media audience

A series of articles or pieces that typify the editorial purpose and mission of the content provider and how relevant are these to the interest of the target audience. How well do the editors and content providers understand the basics of great editorial that moves audiences in a multi media world? What techniques are being used to make content more lively and easy on time-impoverished readers. Are the basics of good journalistic practices followed?

The content should not just be competent but carry some authority and have a voice with the reader – perhaps even one that strikes a raw nerve. Where appropriate, the sample pieces or article(s) should have been well-researched and well thought-out. If it is an opinion piece then it should be well reasoned and balanced. (A sampling of FIVE editorial pieces or articles that understands new reader-focused multi media content delivery should be submitted.) The key is not the channel but how well the content is written, designed and made useable in different channels in a multi media world.

2. Content Delivery: The “Circulation” and audience building activities including development of multi media channels

A circulation or audience acquisition and development program or campaign to expand the readership base and generate additional subscriptions or audience that resulted in achieving the campaign or program goals. Was the target audience(s) defined and sufficient attention given to alternative ways to build circulation or an audience base? Were prospects generated? What were the basic offers made to attract the audience and subscribers? What was the response generated. Was user generated content a goal? If so did it succeed? The audience development or subscription program or campaign can be either for renewals or new acquisition, direct mail, web-based or door to door in Print, Online and Mobile Media or a combination of the above.

3. Design and Layout: Getting the basics right for print, online or mobile media

Approaches to design for print, online and mobile media, information graphics and digital transmissions including use of photography and typography. Best use of the various principles and elements of good design for an individual and original editorial article (or a series of related articles). How was typography used and was attention given to differences in media? How effective were the visuals and photography used, and was their manner of treatment and presentation appropriate? What is the resultant overall look and feel of the layout as being appealing to the target reader and in keeping with the editorial mission? How well did the design complement the editorial? (Three executions should submitted per magazine to allow judges to evaluate the consistency of execution).

4. Multimedia Advertising: Using the new realities of multi media Ad delivery mechanisms to increase advertising and promotional revenue

A campaign, project or program to generate advertising, sponsorship or other revenues as a result of delivering an audience to advertisers. A program that is designed and presented to complement the mission of the publication. How well does the campaign material convey the publication’s sales message to target audiences? Does the campaign include an integrated media platform? Is there user-friendly information and new value measurements about what is needed to evaluate the publication? Are there facts and figures to support the basic sales message? How much does the campaign and materials make the buyer want to buy? How well do the support materials help the ad sales person sell the publication or its multi media environment? Does the rate structure make sense in relation to the advertising sales strategy and revenue goals of the publication? The advertising sales strategy and what the (multi-media) rate card is meant to accomplish should therefore be spelled out. Note: This award is not just about the Ad Sales Kit – although that is an important element.

5. Magazine Franchise: Most successful launch of a licensed brand

A magazine franchise that was successfully launched with clear franchise terms, helpful and strong support from the franchisor and a dedicated franchisee. Was the market surveyed well? How well was the launch planned? What were the elements of success and how well were these met? Are both Franchisor and Franchisee better off?

6. New Business Models: Making it all viable and sustainable

The introduction or significant enhancement in the successful development of business models that exploit either traditional or multi media opportunities - with an understanding of the emerging role of content and changing consumer preferences. Were new revenue streams planned and realized? Is the business model viable? Are there facts to support this? Is the business model sustainable? Does it have room for growth?

ASIAN BOOK PUBLISHING AWARDS

Special awards are being given for book publishers in a multimedia environment. One is for the business side of publishing - an award for the publisher, and the other for the author.

1. Best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher

The award is for a book publisher who best used multimedia marketing tools and techniques to package, promote and sell a book. How well did the publisher use the multimedia facilities available? Was the audience well defined? Can the audience receiving the message buy the books?

2. Best author

The award is for an author who best captured and presented the main theme behind the book - and which in the opinion of the judges’ best reached out to and touched a nerve with the intended audience. Was the title of the book reflective of the content? Was the content organized? Was the writing style that which the intended audience can appreciate and understand easily, where facts should be, were these checked?

ASIAN CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS

(Not for publishing companies)

1. Best use of multi-media by a corporate advertiser

The award is for a corporate advertiser who best used a multi-media approach to deliver its advertising message. Were the various elements of the advertising campaign for multi-media integrated? Was the audience for each media segment well defined? Was there an attempt to measure the effectiveness? What were the results achieved?

2. Innovative corporate communications in a multi-media world

The award is for a corporate communications program or activity either for internal or for external purposes that made use of the print, online and mobile media opportunities that exist today. How well did the program make use of magazines and print media? Did it reach its audience by utilizing online technologies? How well did the communications project interface with publishers to achieve its goals? Were communications “received” by its target audiences and was an appropriate mix of media used to do this.

Special Awards

The Board of Judges may choose to honor and recognize the publication, editor, publisher or media owner who was devoted his life to the integrity, improvement and advancement of publishing and journalism. A person or company that made a difference through the community service it rendered through the publication’s franchise.

III. Search and Selection Process

There is an exhaustive search and selection process for the Awards composed of generating entries, initial screening, comments by advisors, and final judging.

1. Generating entries

Publishing Companies, Book Publishers and Corporate Advertisers from all over the region are encouraged to nominate themselves and enter their favorite projects, programs, or best practices. There is no limit to the number of entries per company except as specified in the criteria.

Associations and suppliers, and others in the industry are also invited to nominate in any of the Award categories for specific projects, programs, or best practices management.

2. Initial screening

The Awards Secretariat processes the entries, collates the synopsis and supporting materials as submitted, and submits these for consideration by the Judging committees.

3. Judging process

APC partners and specially selected experts are formed into ten (10) judging committees, one for every award category and three to four judges per committee. A chairperson is appointed for each team. These judging teams review the entries submitted to them, and make final recommendations to the overall conference committee. The Committee may, if they prefer, review non-short listed submissions it feels merits reconsideration. The selections of the judging teams are then compiled by the Secretariat. This is then circulated to the Conference Committee with final recommendations from the Secretariat.

The oversight and final approval is exercised by the main Conference committee consisting of representatives from partner associations, major sponsors, and OIC EVENTS (OIC).

The successful publishers (winners and runners up) are those who in the OPINION of the judges’ best fit the category criteria. Note that if there are no exceptional projects submitted in a category, the Judging committee is not committed to give an award. However, if there are two projects in the same category that are equally meritorious, an award may be given to both projects as joint winners.

IV. Rules, Regulations and How to Enter

1. Rules on how to enter

a) Entries must be for projects, programs, or services that were implemented or significantly enhanced in 2007 and from January to March2008.

b) Participating companies must be headquartered in Asia-Pacific. Companies of non-Asian origin are also eligible as long as they have a major regional presence in Asia.

c) Supporting materials should be in English. If in another language, a translation must be provided. Videos, ads, printed matter, and other supporting materials should be submitted. Supporting materials submitted will not be returned.

d) It is important to demonstrate in as quantifiable a way as possible the benefits of the project to the intended recipients and stakeholders. Please indicate what were the intended benefits planned, and what were actually achieved.

e) The entry form and project summary formmust be fully accomplished for an entry to be included in the screening stage. Only soft (email) entries will be accepted. Online entries are encouraged. Please visit

2. How to write your entry and what to include:

An entry to the Asian Publishing Awards will only be valid if a summary of the entry will be submitted. The summary should not be more than 1000 words and it must be submitted by filling in the Project Summary Form completely.

  • Category: Indicate the category in which you are entering this project. The awards categories are: Content Generation, Content Delivery, Design and Layout, Multimedia Advertising, Magazine Franchise, New Business Models, Best use of multimedia marketing by a book publisher, Best author, Best use of multi-media by a corporate advertiser, and Innovative corporate communications in a multi-media world.
  • Project Title: Provide a (descriptive) name by which you refer to this project
  • Objectives: Describe briefly in measurable terms what it is that you expected to achieve.
  • Details of the project: Explain why the project was selected and describe the project well. Indicate what BEFORE measurements were made, how did the team go about their task, how long did it take etc. Also indicate the positions and/or units of the involved team members (individual names not necessary).
  • Implementation: Was the improvement implemented, how and when? (The awards are ONLY for projects implemented or significantly enhanced in 2007 /2008)
  • Results: What were the quantitative and/or qualitative results achieved to date as a result of the business projects, programs and services?What did customers say?Is there concrete feedback?
3. Information to support the entries

For each category that you enter, please send information to support the projects and programs entered. All entries need to be accompanied by supporting data and documentation such as but not limited to details and background of the project, how the project was conducted, who participated, before and after analysis if any, etc. In addition, submission of CD ROMsor videos and audiotapes, press coverage and the like are encouraged. Where possible, the judges request for an indication and whatever information you can provide with respect to:

a) How the project got started and/or why did the company invest in the project?
b) How did the project get nurtured and what were the motivations?
c) What were the initial difficulties that came about in implementing the project and what were the bottlenecks?
d) The extent to which the project is integrated into the core strategy of the company.

Important Submission Note

We request that you scan and save any materials you are sending us in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or .pdf format on a CD ROM. Please select the important pages and sections of any of the supporting materials mentioned above. If your supporting material is a book or a report, please scan just the cover, the table of contents and the relevant page your project appears. Same with any commercials or other videos you may wish to submit as supporting material.

To be clear: do send us four (4) copies of each CD where your supporting documents are saved or scanned and one set of the original hard copy materials. The four judges of each category will be sent a CD copy each. We keep the hard copies in the Awards secretariat for reference and as verification copies.Please make sure to list the attachments, CD-ROMs, published materials, reports tapes or other supporting information that you are sending together with the entry, including a more lengthy explanation, if you so wish to add.

COURIER AND CUSTOMS CHARGES MUST BE PRE-PAID.

4. Entry details

Deadline of entries:May 30, 2008

Online entries accepted at

Email:

Tel: (632) 818-3289, Fax: (632) 819 3752

Please send the supporting materials of your entry(s) to:

The APA Steering Committee

Attention: Ms. Jemah Monforte, Awards Coordinator

C/o OIC EVENTS

10 Garcia Villa Street, San LorenzoVillage

MakatiCity 1223, Philippines

Tel: (632) 818 3289, Fax: (632) 819 3752