Society of Publishers in Asia launches bigger, more expansive Awards for Editorial Excellence for 2009
Hong Kong, December 8, 2008 - The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), an organization dedicated to best practices in professional publishing, today announced the launch of the SOPA 2009 Awards for Editorial Excellence. With the inclusion of entries from Australia and New Zealand for the first time, and the scope of the Awards extended to include entries from purely digital media, the SOPA 2009 Awards for Editorial Excellence promise to be the biggest to date.
 
Established in 1999, the Awards recognize editorial excellence in both traditional and new media and are designed to honour and encourage editorial vitality throughout the region. They cover a broad range of categories reflecting Asia's diverse geo-political environment and vibrant editorial scene.
 
"The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence have grown steadily over the years and are now recognized across the region as a true benchmark of the very best journalism that Asia has to offer," said Kevin Brown, Chairman of the Editorial Awards Sub-committee.  "This year, the geographical scope of the Awards has been extended to include Australia and New Zealand, which means that they are now open to publications in the entire Asia/Pacific region," added Mr Brown.
 
In recognition of the shifting media landscape and the growing importance of new media, entries from purely digital media—those that do not have a print-based counterpart—will also be accepted for the first time.
 
"Quality writing is not limited by the format it's presented in--whether writing for a traditional broadsheet, magazine or for a purely online news provider, it's the quality of the writing that is the common thread throughout the Awards."
 
Alan Lammin, SOPA Chairman, thinks the difficult conditions currently faced by the industry across Asia will serve to strengthen the Awards and increase their importance. 
 
"Everyone in the industry is aware of the more turbulent times ahead," commented Mr Lammin, "so in some respects the 2009 Awards have taken on even greater significance than in previous years. They are a rallying call to demonstrate just how good we are, and to show that the highest standards are maintained regardless of difficult economic conditions," said Mr Lammin.
 
Key to the growing success of the Awards is the high calibre of international judges who preside over the Award entries. The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence have consistently secured judges comprised of journalists, designers and photo editors from many of the region's leading newspapers and consumer and trade magazines, and in an additional reflection of their stature, notable academics from the journalism and media departments of prestigious universities.
 
The SOPA Awards are coordinated by a committee of publishing professionals from the business and editorial sectors. These dedicated individuals volunteer their time throughout the year to ensure the rules, judges, entries, event, sponsorship and promotion all come together smoothly.
 
To encourage entries from both large and small publications, entries are classified by circulation size and language type - either English or Chinese.
 
About SOPA
The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) is a 26-year old regional body incorporated in Hong Kong in 1982, dedicated to promoting best industry practices and facilitating a conducive environment for profitable publishing. It represents the interests of international, regional and local publishers in newspapers, magazines and new media in Asia, with a view to fostering better cooperation and understanding among members.
 

SOPA is a non-profit organization. It is committed to responsible journalism and works to establish standards and guidelines for publishers relating to issues such as quality control, professional development, circulation, advertising and new media. It runs the prestigious annual SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence to set world-class benchmarks for journalism in Asia. For more information, visit SOPA's official website at www.sopasia.com.
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