Why you should enter

With digital publishing the media sector’s prime focus, success in the DPA Awards brings recognition and status to brands, teams and individuals. And this year the profile and standing of this event has moved forward again with the decision of the PPA’s Business Media Group to co-sponsor and co-promote the event, encouraging business information publishers to enter.

Who is eligible to enter

The Awards are open to information providers and publishers who provide business content for companies or consumers. Content may take the form of:

• Printed or online directories

• Search and lead generation platforms

• Recruitment or classified recruitment services

• Market and customer data

• High-value digital content used in customer workflow

• Online learning , webinars, virtual exhibitions

• Mobile application

• Business community web sites

Entries are invited in the following categories, judged where appropriate to arrive at a B2B and B2C winner:

• DPA Outstanding Achievement Award

• Directory of the Year

• Digital Service of the Year

• Product Development of the Year

• Mobile App of the Year

• Publishing Executive of the Year (Individual)

• Publisher of the Year (Corporate)

• Newcomer of the Year (Corporate)

• Advertising Sales Team of the Year

• Paid Content Sales Team of the Year

• Marketing Team of the Year

Key points for a winning submission:

There are some common points across the classes which are worth stressing:

• Judges know how tough trading has been across the sector and expect entries to be as much about digging-in and holding market positions as breaking new ground

• The key thing is to express simply, clearly and persuasively the reasons why your entry merits an Award. You know the battles you’ve staged, the success you achieve. Make your case.

• Then back your argument with facts, referencing relevant business and market information. This could be financial performance statistics, market shares, user research, traffic stats, advertiser response – anything that gives weight and authority to back up and support your entry. And to put your mind at rest, judges will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement not to share or reveal commercial information contained in your submission.

• You can enter the same product or service in more than one category

• Keep it brief. Your submission should not be longer than 400 words – and, frankly, less is more.

• Should you wish, attach documentation such as market research, user feedback, traffic stats that you feel supports your submission.