Recognizes an individual art director or designer who has demonstrated sustained design excellence, creative leadership, and significant contribution to the field of editorial design over the eligibility period.

Recognizes a publication design team that has demonstrated collective excellence, creative ambition, and significant contribution to the visual quality of their publication or publications during the eligibility period.

Recognizes overall excellence in digital editorial publishing — the publication that best demonstrates editorial quality, design achievement, and innovation across its digital platforms during the eligibility period.

Recognizes an individual editor or editorial director who has demonstrated exceptional editorial leadership, creative vision, and significant contribution to the quality and direction of their publication or publications during the eligibility period.

Recognizes a publication editorial team that has demonstrated collective excellence, editorial ambition, and significant contribution to the quality and impact of their publication during the eligibility period.

Recognizes the publication that best demonstrates sustained excellence across all areas of design — cover, feature, photography, illustration, and digital — throughout the eligibility period.

Recognizes the publication or media brand that best demonstrates excellence in extending its editorial identity and audience value across digital platforms and channels during the eligibility period.

Recognizes the publication that best demonstrates editorial and design excellence in its digital presence — across website, social, newsletter, audio, video, and interactive formats — during the eligibility period.

Recognizes the publication that best demonstrates sustained excellence across all areas of editorial content — writing, reporting, editing, and content strategy — throughout the eligibility period.

Recognizes overall excellence in print editorial publishing — the publication that best demonstrates editorial quality, design achievement, and sustained contribution to its audience and industry during the eligibility period.

Recognizes an individual publisher who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and significant contribution to the health and advancement of their publication or publishing organization during the eligibility period.

Recognizes commercially sponsored content that meets a high editorial standard — where the reader’s experience and informational value come first. Judged on editorial quality, transparency, and whether the content earns its audience rather than simply interrupting them.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• Consumer / Custom Content Marketing

Recognizes editorial content in which AI tools played a meaningful, transparent role in the research, reporting, writing, or production process — and where that use demonstrably elevated the final work. Entrants must disclose how AI was used and describe the editorial oversight applied; the standard is exceptional editorial outcome, not automation.

Recognizes in-depth analytical reporting that goes beyond the news to examine trends, implications, and meaning. Particularly strong in B2B, trade, and nonprofit publishing. Judged on depth of research, clarity of argument, and the degree to which the analysis advances the reader’s understanding.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes custom and content marketing publishers producing work that meets the highest standards of journalism and design regardless of its commercial context — in-house studios, custom agencies, and brand-owned media operations are all eligible. The bar is the same as any other Eddie category; content that exists primarily to promote rather than serve a reader will not be competitive.

Recognizes a sustained body of work published under a consistent voice, format, or franchise — whether a named column, a recurring editorial feature, or an ongoing blog. Judged on consistency of voice, editorial quality across the body of work, and the value the recurring format delivers to its audience.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes editorial strategies that build genuine, sustained audience participation — reader essay programs, community-sourced reporting, member-generated content initiatives, and audience-driven editorial franchises. Judged on the quality of the editorial framework, the authenticity of the participation, and whether the resulting content serves the broader audience, not just the contributors.

Recognizes editorial content that produced a demonstrable real-world impact — policy change, organizational response, community action, or meaningful public benefit. Judged on the quality of the original editorial work, the significance of the impact achieved, and the clarity of the connection between the editorial effort and the outcome.

Recognizes editorial content that uses data as a primary storytelling tool — data-driven investigations, statistical analyses, research-based features, and data journalism of all kinds. Distinct from the Ozzie Data Visualization category, which recognizes the design of data presentation. This Eddie recognizes the editorial thinking behind the data work — the questions asked, the sourcing, and the conclusions drawn.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes planned, produced editorial video — documentary-style features, interview series, explainers, and reported video journalism — where editorial intent and production quality combine to serve the audience. Distinct from short-form social-native video, which has its own category. Judged on storytelling, production quality, and editorial purpose.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes opinion, criticism, and essay writing that brings a distinct editorial voice and rigorous thinking to a subject. Includes cultural criticism, field-specific commentary, and personal essays grounded in expertise. Judged on quality of argument, strength of voice, and the degree to which the writing advances a genuine point of view.

• Essays and Criticism
• B2B
• Consumer

Recognizes first-person editorial content in which the author’s direct voice, perspective, or lived experience is central to the work. Includes personal essays, first-person reported narratives, memoir excerpts, and patient or community voice features. Sub-categories: Personal Essay, First-Person Reported Narrative, Memoir / Excerpt, Patient / Member / Community Voice.

Recognizes the editorial excellence of a complete published issue, evaluated as a unified editorial achievement — the coherence of the editorial mix, the quality and range of the content, and the degree to which the issue delivers on its editorial mission. Entered by audience type: Association / Nonprofit, B2B / Trade, City & Regional, Consumer, Custom / Branded.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes editorial content whose primary purpose is to help the reader do something — solve a problem, learn a skill, make a better decision. Includes how-to features, service guides, explainers, and practical journalism of all kinds. Judged on accuracy, clarity, and the degree to which the content genuinely serves a reader need.

Recognizes original investigative reporting that required sustained effort, original sourcing, and editorial courage — and that produced a meaningful impact or public benefit. Judged on depth of reporting, quality of evidence, clarity of presentation, and the significance of the findings.

Recognizes ambitious, deeply reported or crafted long-form editorial content — profiles, narrative features, reported essays, and immersive journalism. Judged on quality of reporting or research, strength of narrative, and the degree to which the length is earned by the depth of the work.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes the sustained editorial quality and coherence of a recurring section or department within a publication — news fronts, back-of-book sections, or any regular editorial franchise. Judged on consistency, editorial voice, and the value the section delivers to the publication as a whole.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer

Recognizes outstanding editorial newsletters — standalone or brand-affiliated — that have built a loyal audience through consistent voice, original reporting, and genuine reader value. Eligible in any frequency, format, or subject area; judged on editorial quality, distinctiveness of voice, and whether the newsletter functions as a primary editorial destination in its own right.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer

Recognizes exceptional news reporting — breaking news, ongoing news coverage, or political and policy journalism — that demonstrates speed, accuracy, depth, and editorial judgment under pressure. Sub-categories: Breaking News Coverage, General News Coverage, Political / Policy Coverage.

Recognizes editorial coverage of planned events — conferences, trade shows, summits, sporting events, elections, or other scheduled occasions — where the publication brought original editorial perspective and value beyond simple event recap. Judged on editorial initiative, depth of coverage, and quality of the resulting content.

Recognizes editorial podcast series across all genres and publisher types — news, narrative, interview, investigative, and subject-specific formats. Judged on editorial quality, production value, consistency across episodes, and the degree to which the podcast has built and serves a genuine audience.

• Best Business News and Information
• Best Computer Science or Technology
• Best Consumer Entertainment (Non news)
• Best Consumer Finance
• Best Consumer Health, Fitness, Medical or Wellness
• Best Consumer Parenting and Family
• Best Consumer Special Interest
• Best Cultural or Community
• Best Educational
• Best Entertainment
• Best Science
• Best Travel and Leisure
• Best New Podcast

Recognizes outstanding editorial profiles and interview-based features that illuminate a subject through skilled questioning, deep research, and strong editorial shaping. Judged on quality of access, depth of reporting, and the degree to which the piece reveals something genuine and significant about its subject.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer

Recognizes the sustained editorial contribution of an individual writer, reporter, or content creator — evaluated across a body of work published within the eligibility period rather than a single piece. Judged on consistency of quality, range of subject or format, and the cumulative editorial value of the body of work.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• Consumer

Recognizes a planned editorial series — three or more related pieces published under a common theme, topic, or franchise — that delivers more as a whole than any individual installment. Judged on the coherence of the series concept, quality of individual pieces, and the sustained editorial value delivered across the full run.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes editorial content conceived and produced natively for short-form or social-first platforms — including short-form video, social threads, and platform-native formats. Repurposed or reformatted content from other channels is not eligible; judged on editorial quality, platform fluency, and whether the format itself is doing editorial work, not just carrying it.

Recognizes the best individual piece of editorial content published during the eligibility period — in any format, on any subject, for any audience. The foundational Eddie category. Entered by audience type to ensure like-for-like judging. Judged on editorial quality, clarity of purpose, and the degree to which the piece serves and respects its intended audience.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes a sustained editorial approach to social media that demonstrates original thinking, genuine audience engagement, and editorial standards — not just distribution or promotion. Judged on the quality of the editorial content created for social platforms, the coherence of the strategy across channels, and the degree to which the social presence builds real audience value.

Recognizes single-topic special issues, annual editions, one-time publications, and stand-alone editorial projects that fall outside the regular publication schedule. Judged as complete editorial packages on the quality and coherence of the editorial concept, the range and depth of the content, and the degree to which the special format serves the subject.

Recognizes design work in which AI tools played a meaningful role in the creative or production process — AI-assisted illustration, layout, image treatment, or visual concept development — and where that use produced demonstrably stronger editorial design outcomes. Entrants must describe how AI was used and what creative oversight was applied. Judged on design quality and editorial effectiveness, not novelty of the tools used.

Recognizes immersive, interactive, or multimedia editorial experiences produced for digital platforms — scrollytelling narratives, interactive data features, and web-native multimedia packages where editorial and design function as a unified whole. Open to editorial and design teams; joint submissions are encouraged. Judged on editorial ambition, design execution, and whether the digital format genuinely serves the story being told.

Recognizes outstanding cover design — the publication’s single most visible editorial and design statement. Judged on concept, typography, image selection or illustration, and the degree to which the cover communicates the publication’s identity and editorial voice. Entered by audience type and circulation tier to ensure like-for-like comparison.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer

Recognizes the design of data-driven editorial content — charts, infographics, maps, statistical graphics, and visual data presentations of all kinds. Distinct from the Eddie Best Editorial Use of Data category, which recognizes the journalism behind the data. This Ozzie recognizes the clarity, elegance, and editorial effectiveness of the visual presentation. Judged on accuracy, clarity, and design excellence.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes outstanding design of digital brand presence — publication websites, digital brand platforms, and owned digital environments. Judged on visual identity, user experience, typographic quality, and the degree to which the digital design serves and extends the publication’s editorial mission.

Recognizes the strategic and visual achievement of a full publication redesign — print, digital, or both. Judged on the clarity of the design thinking behind the redesign, the quality of the visual execution, and the degree to which the new design better serves the editorial mission and audience of the publication.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• Consumer

Recognizes the design of individual feature spreads and multi-page editorial layouts — the core unit of magazine design craft. Judged on layout, typography, image use, and the degree to which the design serves and elevates the editorial content it carries.

• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing
• Other

Recognizes the design of a complete published issue, evaluated as a unified visual achievement — the coherence of the design system across the issue, the quality of individual page and spread design, and the degree to which the overall design serves the editorial mission. Entered by audience type.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• Consumer
• City & Regional

Recognizes outstanding original illustration created for editorial purposes — cover illustration, feature illustration, spot illustration, and illustrated editorial series. Judged on concept, execution, and the degree to which the illustration serves and enhances the editorial content it accompanies.

• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional
• Consumer
• Custom / Content Marketing

Recognizes excellence in page-level design craft — section design, department pages, table of contents design, and the recurring visual elements that give a publication its internal coherence and character. Judged on typographic quality, layout craft, and the consistency and distinctiveness of the visual system across sections.

Recognizes outstanding original photography created for or selected for editorial use — cover photography, feature photography, photo essays, and documentary photography. Judged on visual quality, editorial relevance, and the degree to which the photography serves and elevates the content it accompanies.

• Consumer
• Association / Nonprofit
• B2B
• City & Regional

Recognizes outstanding photography in city and regional publications — capturing the identity, people, places, and life of a specific community or geography. Judged on visual quality, editorial relevance, and the degree to which the photography reflects and serves the publication’s regional editorial mission.

Recognizes outstanding typographic design in an editorial context — type-driven cover design, typographic feature layouts, custom typeface development, and editorial design where typography is the primary design instrument. Judged on typographic knowledge, originality, and the quality of the typographic thinking applied to the editorial challenge.

Recognizes integrated editorial design packages in which image, typography, and layout work together as a unified visual narrative — photo essays, illustrated features, data-driven visual stories, and designed editorial packages where the visual and editorial are inseparable. The program’s highest aspiration for editorial design. Judged on concept, visual coherence, and the degree to which the design thinking advances the editorial story.