Open to Canadian and U.S. Print and Internet Media, Photographers

Washington, D.C., September 1, 2008 . . . . Canada has announced its twelfth “Northern Lights” awards program for excellence in travel journalism. The competition is open to magazines, newspapers, independent writers and photographers and Internet reporters in North America who have generated tourism-oriented coverage on Canadian destinations in 2008.

First, second and third place winners in the newspaper, magazine and photography categories will be presented with original artwork by Prince Edward Island artists. One Internet reporting winner also will be awarded original artwork. Prizes for first, second and third place winners in both an independent writers (newspapers) category and independent writers (magazines) category will be USD $600, $400 and $200 respectively.

Entries for the competition must be postmarked by February 16, 2009. The complete rules and entry form are available below or by contacting Northern Lights Media Awards, PMB 171, 208 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022. Tel: 212-355-6025; Fax: 212-935-3459;
e-mail: northernlights@canadamediamarket.org

Awards will be judged by Carleton University Department of Journalism and presented by the Canadian Tourism Commission on April 21, 2009 during Canada Media Marketplace ’09 in New York City. The annual awards program is a Canadian Tourism Commission initiative.

For more information contact:

Monica Campbell-Hoppé

Director, U.S. Media Relations

Canadian Tourism Commission

6041 S.E. 34th Ave., Portland, OR 97202

Tel: 503-777-2608; Fax: 503-788-7638; E-mail: campbell.monica@ctc-cct.ca

RULES AND ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBILITY

Articles produced in English or French by North American journalists between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. All entries must be on Canada and deal with the subject of travel/lifestyle or the business of tourism, written in either English or French. Advertorials are not eligible. Up to three (3) entries per publication, author or photographer will be considered; more than three will disqualify all entries. Multiple bylines are acceptable; monetary award is split evenly for multi-author entries.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

1) Newspaper: Up to three (3) entries per newspaper are allowed. Articles to be submitted by on-staff editors only. Entries will be judged for overall best article. Three original Canadian art prizes will be awarded to the winning newspapers.

2 ) Magazine: Up to three (3) entries per magazine are allowed. Articles to be submitted by on-staff editors only. Entries will be judged for overall best article. Three original Canadian art prizes will be awarded to the winning magazines.

3) Independent Photographer: Up to three (3) published bylined layouts in a newspaper or magazine are allowed. Three original Canadian art prizes will be awarded in this category.

4) Independent Journalist (Newspaper article) and Independent Journalist (Magazine article): Up to three (3) published bylined articles in a newspaper, magazine, or combination of the two, are allowed. Cash awards USD $600, $400 and $200 will be given to first, second and third-place winners, respectively, in the two categories.

5) Internet Reporting: Up to three (3) entries showing first date of publication are allowed. Entries may be submitted by either the Internet publication or an individual Web site reporter. One original Canadian art prize will be awarded.

RULES

All entries must follow the rules set forth below. Entries that do not follow proper form are subject to disqualification.

1. A fully-completed and separate form (photocopies accepted) must be attached to each submitted story.
   

2. For print entries submit either original tear sheets or clear, readable photocopies of the article(s). (Accompanying art work may be submitted with editorial entries.) Name and date of publication must be clearly visible; if article is more than one page number the pages and write or attach the entrant’s name and category on each page.
   

3. Newspapers, Magazines and Internet publications may enter the work of on-staff or freelance journalists; entries must include journalist’s name and (if freelance) address.
   

4. Mail entries to: “Northern Lights” Media Awards, PMB #171, 208 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022.
   

5. Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than February 16, 2009.
   

6. No entries will be returned.

For information contact:

Tel: 212-355-6025

Fax: 212-935-3459

e-mail: northernlights@canadamediamarket.org