North West 2010

How to enter
i es :
n t r
f o re
d l i ne 010
D e a R 2
e t! B E
r g E M
’t fo S E PT
Don 22nd
Have the opportunity to
stand out from the
crowd...
post to: O2 Media Awards, 19 Museum St, Warrington, WA1 1JA
or email: O2mediaawards@rossitermedia.co.uk

Checklist…
Are your entries well presented?
Have you also sent any background and all supporting information?
Have you included your editor’s endorsement?
Have you emailed a picture of yourself to O2mediaawards@rossitermedia.co.uk?
Broadcast category only: Have you provided a show reel between 4 and 6 minutes in total?
Have you included your contact details, including your mobile number?
Categories
News Reporter of the Year
We are looking for the story-breakers, the journalists who demonstrate all-round ability and a variety of
skills. Judges will be looking for real exclusives, expertly researched and brilliantly told for their target
audience. The category is open to print and broadcast journalists. You must submit between three and
six pieces of work and complete the entry form. Newspaper writers should ensure that all copy is
present including any page turns. Broadcasters should send their work on DVD/CD.
Feature Writer of the Year
Are you a skilled writer who can demonstrate an extensive range of writing skills? Judges will
be looking for a compelling style that also shows reporting skills, analysis and background
research. You must submit between three and six pieces of work and complete the entry form.
Digital Journalist of the Year
This is for journalists working in the digital form who demonstrate new initiatives to entice
on-line readers. Judges will expect entrants to show a clear understanding of their medium and
their subject. Show us how you’re using the latest technologies or even social marketing sites to
capture information or expand your readership. You must submit between three and six pieces
of work and complete the entry form. Judges will require either hard copies or a digital copy of
your work rather than web links.
Television Broadcast Journalist of the Year
We want the faces who keep television news audiences entertained and enthralled. Journalists
who consistently demonstrate ability to present news stories and features that keep the audi-
ence glued to their seats. Entrants must produce a show reel between 4 and 6 minutes in total
that displays their portfolio to the maximum effect. Judges will be looking for those who have
demonstrated the ability to develop their own storylines and ideas and used the strengths of
television to reach a mass audience.
Radio Broadcast Journalist of the Year
The stars of the airwaves. You will be a radio reporter who is able to deliver news and features
with style and authority in the highly charged and competitive world of radio. If you’re the
voice of your community then judges want to hear from you. Entrants must produce a show
reel between 4 and 6 minutes in total. Again originality and using journalistic skill to develop
exclusive storylines will count highly with the judging panel.
Sports Journalist of the Year
For reporters, feature writers and columnists who are passionate about sport. The judges will
be looking for first-class journalists who have gone that extra mile to deliver the best sports
coverage during the year. If you are submitting a broadcast entry please produce a show reel
between 4 and 6 minutes in total. Judges will take into consideration the resources
available to the journalist and will be looking for those who show a complete understanding
and knowledge of their chosen subjects.
Young Journalist of the Year - Weeklies
We are looking for journalists working on weekly newspapers who were under 25 on July 31st
2010. The judges will be looking for writers whose stories are the talk of the local pub, commu-
nity centre and school. (Print journalists only). Remember to include details of how you broke
the story and the skills used to capture the information.
Young Journalist of the Year - Dailies
The rising stars who compete on a daily basis to bring news of the highest quality to their
readers or listeners. Judges will also be looking for individuals who show the maturity to
handle the big issues of the day. Again you will be under 25 on July 31st 2010 to qualify. (This
category is open to both print and broadcast journalists) Broadcast journalists should send a
show reel of no more than 6 minutes. Print journalists should send up to six pieces of work. All
entrants should also include brief synopsis of how they researched and developed their stories.
Photographer of the Year
For news, feature and sport photographers working on weekly and daily titles. The judges
will look for news sense, versatility, technical skill and a strong sense of mood captured by the
submitted photographs. (You must submit between 4 and 6 mounted photographs and ideally
the story that accompanies the photograph).
Scoop of the Year
For the newspaper or broadcast team that has uncovered the story of the year. This will be the
story that had everyone talking and made a huge impact in your community or region. If you
are submitting a broadcast entry please produce a show reel between 4 and 6 minutes in total.
Daily Newspaper of the Year
Calling all daily newspapers, we want to see the 3 best issues you’ve produced. Judges will be
looking for the paper that can bring the big issues of the day to life for their audience. The
editions will demonstrate editorial excellence and readability. Judges will take into account
editorial ratios and staffing levels when considering the overall quality of the newspaper.
Layout, editorial impact and value for money will also be key factors.
Weekly Newspaper of the Year
This category is open to all weekly newspapers, both paid-for and free titles. We want to see
the 3 best issues you’ve produced. Judges will be looking for the paper in tune with their
community. The editions will demonstrate editorial excellence and readability. Judges will take
into account editorial ratios and staffing levels when considering the overall quality of the
newspaper. Layout, editorial impact and value for money will also be key factors.
O2 Newspaper of the Year
The overall newspaper of the year will be selected from the best of the best. You will have
a fantastic printed product, a strong on-line presence and a team of journalists using all the
resources at its disposal to keep its readers informed and entertained.
Editorial Team of The Year
We want to hear from editorial teams across all media disciplines that have worked together
to deliver outstanding results. This award not only acknowledges great exclusives,
community campaigns and appeals but also takes account of how the team has worked
together to create the finished product. Judges will also take into account the resources
available to individual teams.
Business Journalist of The Year
Are you a skilled business reporter who can transform complicated business news into an
exciting and compelling story? Judges will be looking for reporting skills, analysis and back-
ground research but most of all a writer who can really bring a business story to life. Six pieces
of work should be submitted that aptly show your skills and the techniques used to break and
develop top business stories.
Think Big Award 2010
This year’s North West Awards see the introduction of the O2 Think Big Award. This award
looks to celebrate the achievements of young people involved in community
communication projects.
This award is aimed primarily at young people between the ages of 13 and 25. You may be
producing a newsletter, involved in a community radio programme, publishing films or a
newspaper. You may be using the internet to inform and inspire friends or the wider
community, or using your skills to promote young people in a positive way through words or
pictures. Judges will be looking for young people making a difference in their locality or wider
afield. To enter we need up to six examples of your work either in a printed format or on CD/
DVD. Please also submit any background information which would give the judging panel a
better understanding about your work and how it gives young people a voice. The category is
open to individuals and groups of young people. You must demonstrate that the communica-
tion project has a major involvement with young people and is tackling issues of concern to
young people.
How to enter To Qualify:
All entrants must have been published between 30th June 09 – 31st July 2010.
ALL entries must be clearly marked and accompanied by a completed entry form. HARD COP-
IES ARE PREFERRED. DIGITAL ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR SOME CATEGORIES. Please also Deadline: Entry nominations must reach Rossiter Media by 22nd September 2010.
send a recent photograph to be used should you be nominated*. Additional information
that gives the judges background information on your portfolio is also welcomed.
Entries will not be accepted after this date
Presentation of your portfolio is taken into consideration.
*Pictures should be of sufficient quality to be used in printed publications. Images should be
emailed to O2mediaawards@rossitermedia.co.uk
Now send them…
Editorial endorsement
All entries must be endorsed by your editor or a senior member of the editorial team
authenticating the entry is your own work. This statement can also incorporate up to 50
By Post: O2 Media Awards, 19 Museum St, Warrington, WA1 1JA
words of additional justification for why they believe you should be picked as a winner.
Team and Newspaper of the Year entries should contain a signed supporting statement from By E-mail: O2mediaawards@rossitermedia.co.uk
the editor.

Print Journalists Telephone: Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the awards criteria please
For individual award categories you must submit between three and six pieces of work and contact the Rossiter Media team on: 01925 576757
complete the entry form. Entry forms are available in both electronic and hard copy formats.
The entry form should also contain a brief statement on why you believe you should claim Details of the ceremony will follow.
the title. Ensure your work is well presented with all your supporting evidence.

Please note we cannot accept joint by-lines for individual entries. Name ................................................................................................................................

Job title ............................................................................................................................

Digital journalists
You must submit between three and six pieces of work and complete the entry form. Media organisation .........................................................................................................
Digital entries should be printed and displayed in an attractive manner showing the details
of the website and publication. Portfolios can also be submitted on disc. Judges will not Email address....................................................................................................................
accept web links to stories.
Mobile number.................................................................................................................
Supporting information may be submitted on a separate sheet of paper for the judges’
consideration which can indicate the target audience, readership and customer feedback. Office number...................................................................................................................

Editor’s number.................................................................................................................
Broadcast Journalists
Entries should be submitted either on DVD or CD. You must submit a show reel between
4 and 6 minutes in total. Team entries should be submitted along with a brief supporting
Signed
statement from a senior editorial member. Entry forms are available in both electronic and
hard copy formats.
To be completed by news editors/editors.
Photography I verify that the journalist named above is responsible for the work submitted in the
You must submit between three and six pieces of work and complete the entry form. Entry application.
forms are available in both electronic and hard copy formats. Images should be submitted as
*Editor signature
10x8 prints and preferably mounted on card or within a folder. If you have examples of how
the images were used on the page please also submit these. If you are sending a digital entry form and are unable to send a signature please provide an
email statement from your editor which includes their email signature.

Please use the space overleaf to write your reasons for submitting.
We accept word-processed applications by e-mail also.
.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................