9th annual newsstand awards launched; early bird entries by June 18

This year's Canadian Newsstand Awards have been launched, with the early bird deadline for entry June 18. Now in its ninth year, the awards have one new category, more prizes, and more prize money. The competition is open to all English and French-language Canadian magazines and recognizes excellence in newsstand sales and cover execution by Canadian magazine publishers. Publishers, circulators, editors, designers and newsstand managers are encouraged to enter their best performers in newsstand sales and cover design for 2009.

Entrants compete in categories based on circulation size from small to extra-large, or the new Special Interest/New Launch category. The Newsstand Magazine Cover of the Year, is chosen as “best in show” and given special recognition. The awards also recognize an individual as the Newsstand Marketer of the Year, selected from mailed-in nominations.

Prizes include $18,500 worth of promotion credits for HDS Retail-owned stores (increased from last year), national promotion, and additional prizes .

New for 2010, the top three entries in each of the circulation categories will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze designations for their respective finishes. Gold winners will also receive $3,500 each in credits while the winner in the Small Magazine Category will win $1,000 in credits, plus $500 cash. The prestigious Newsstand Marketer of the Year also receives $500 cash.

Last year’s winners include Châtelaine, Maclean’s, The Hockey News, The Beaver, and This Magazine. Mike Hughes, National Marketing Manager at Transcontinental Media was awarded recognition as the Newsstand Marketer of the Year.

Final entry deadline if Friday, July 9,with winners announced in the fall.

The Canadian Newsstand Awards are sponsored by: HDS Retail/ Great Canadian News/ Maison de la Presse, CMC (Circulation Management Association of Canada), ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations), Masthead. A gallery of past winners, information on contest rules,and online entry are available at www.newsstandawards.ca