2012 Alberta Magazine Award Winners Announced

Another successful Alberta Magazines Conference has come and gone! Thanks to our generous sponsors and to all those who came out. For those who missed it, you really did miss out. Just teasing (sort of), but we do hope you'll join in next year. Stay tuned for posts in the next few weeks about some of the stellar sessions that took place.

Here's a recap of the 2012 award winners, announced at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala on March 22. Congrats to all the winners and nominees. You sure didn't make it easy for the judges this year!

Best Alberta Story: Eighteen Bridges for Omar Mouallem's "Under the Veil"

Best Short Editorial: Western Living for Tyee Bridge's "School of Fish"

Best Feature Design: Western Living for 40th Anniversary Issue; art director Randall Watson

Best Cover: Avenue (Calgary) for October 2011 issue; art director Anders Knudsen

Best Illustration: Alberta Oil  for "Due Diligence" by Dushan Milic; art director Kim Larson

Best Photo: Alberta Venture for "After the Inferno"by Curtis Trent; art director Kim Larson

Best Digital Presence: Avenue (Calgary)

Best New Magazine: WE Magazine by Venture Publishing on behalf of the United Way

Volunteer of the Year: a tie between Kayla Nash with Lethbridge living and Bobbi Beatty with Other Voices.

Editor of the Year: Chris Welner with IMPACT magazine 

Achievement in Publishing: Ruth Kelly with Venture Publishing. (Not surprisingly, Ruth received a standing ovation when she accepted the award. You go, girl!)

--- Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Alberta Magazine Awards Finalists Announced

So it's awards time in Alberta again! The list of finalists was just released and it shows that the "big guys" continue to do great work with western living, Alberta Venture, Alberta Views, and Avenue (Calgary) each landing a top spot in various categories. 

But it's not all about the bigger mags—a couple of little guys have also made their marks. Eighteen Bridges grabs two of the finalist positions in the Best Alberta Story category with a piece by award-winning Calgary writer Chris Turner and one by Avenue (Edmonton) associate editor Omar Mouallem, while Conservation shines in the Best Photo category. New Trail, U of A's long-time magazine also squeaked in as a finalist in Best Short Editorial category with a piece by well-known Alberta writer/maverick Aritha van Herk. 

In the Achievement Awards, it looks like near total domination by Other Voices in the Volunteer of the Year category with three of the four nominees (but the fourth nominee, Kayla Nash from Lethbridge living is an equally strong contender). Editor of the Year is another tight race, and yes, last year's winner Käthe Lemon, who's a judge this year, is still working in Alberta although she will be taking a hiatus to have a baby come June. Let's hope this year's winner also keeps their talent here in the province. 

The Achievement in Publishing category is all about girl power with four of Alberta's most experienced and successful female publishers. These four women—Ruth Kelly with Alberta Venture, Elaine Kupser with IMPACT, Sherry Shaw-Froggatt with airdrielife and Merla Thomson with Canine Review—have each built successful magazines using some unique and creative methods. I've had the pleasure of working with all of them, and they each bring valuable ideas to the industry.

That said, I'm going to put my money on Ruth Kelly for this one. At a time when no one at a national level was paying much attention to what Alberta magazines were doing, she single-handedly put Alberta on the radar by making her voice heard by Magazines Canada and Canadian Heritage. As she continues to grow her own magazine business, she never forgets that the magazine industry is built upon community, and as such, she continually advocates for all publishers and gives back by sharing her expertise. On a personal level, I've always admired Ruth's robust approach to everything, challenging those around her to rise to the occasion, myself included. She always pushed me to go that extra mile, and though there were moments when I wasn't sure whether she was going to skin me alive, I know now that we mutually respect and appreciate one another.

So who are you placing your bets on? To find out live, make sure you register for the Alberta Magazine Gala on Thursday, March 22. Today is your last day to do it!

--- Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Alberta Magazine Awards – Call for Entries!

Fame. Fortune. Freakouts! Okay, maybe not freakouts, I was thinking of a different kind of winning (see below). But it is Alberta Magazine Awards time again, folks! Time to salute the great achievements of Alberta magazines over this past year with praise, trophies, recognition, and yes, moola! The Alberta Showcase Award winners each receive $250 cash, not to mention bragging rights. This year, we’ve added a new category—Best Digital Presence—to highlight publishing digital innovations. Both online magazines and magazine companion websites are eligible.

I’ve seen several award-worthy pieces over the past year, and the only way to get the recognition they deserve is to submit an entry. This is your time to shine so don’t hem and haw about whether to enter, just do it!

And don’t forget about the Achievement Awards either. This includes the oh-so-coveted Editor of the Year Award. (We’re pleased to affirm that last year’s winner Käthe Lemon is still living and working in Alberta—stop stealing our talent, rest of Canada!) It’s also time to nominate supastars for the Achievement in Publishing Award. (Who could forget how genuinely surprised and touched Rob Tanner was winning the inaugural award?) This year, it could be your turn to be publicly verklempt!

So get your nominations in by January 31, 2012—earlier would be greatly appreciated. We strongly encourage you not to wait until 4pm on the 31^st to come crashing into the AMPA office—you know who you are! And mark your calendar for March 22 at the Alberta Magazines Conference when the winners will be announced. It’ll be a fabulous night of oohing and ahhing, not to missed!

Be a winner--but maybe not this kind. (As if I could pass up the chance to reference the Sheen-ster!)

For some inspiration, check out the list of last year’s winners.

--- Colleen Seto

AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Alberta Best on Page Celebrated the Power of Magazines

We laughed, we cried, we oohed, we awed. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but this past month we truly were inspired by the creativity on display at the Alberta Best on Page traveling exhibition.

The show (held in Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton) featured Magazines Canada's annual Best on Page display of national and international award-winning print ads; we also couldn't help but boast our local talent with a showcase of our province's editorial and design successes from this past year's Alberta Magazine Awards.

Former AMPA Executive Director Andrew Mah described the power of the Best on Page imagery: "These ads pop. They sing. They persuade, compel, evoke. They demonstrate the continued power of print: of the striking marriage among words, pictures and design." And this is just the advertising side of magazines. The flip side of our industry is editorial "covers that hook, photos and illustrations that impress and feature stories that draw you in." This is the local talent, represented by our member magazine publishers, that we celebrate each year at the Alberta Magazine Awards.

So enough describing from me, time to see for yourselves with this photo-glimpse of the fun that we had at our Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton exhibition receptions (you can see more photos in our Flickr album).

October 1, Lethbridge:

October 5, Calgary (photographs courtesy Don Molyneaux): 

October 12, Edmonton (photographs courtesy Kyla Feschuk): 

 -- Rebecca Lesser

AMPA Communications & Programs Coordinator

Red Bull, Bull Riding and Cardboard Cuts: Behind the Scenes of the 2011 Alberta Magazines Conference

For our member e-publication Currents, we asked Alberta Magazines Awards Coordinator Anh Chu to share an insider's perspective on the 2011 Alberta Magazines Conference. We loved her article so much that we thought we would share it with you, too....

Red Bull, Bull Riding and Cardboard Cuts

Behind the Scenes of the 2011 Alberta Magazines Conference

By Anh Chu

“This conference wouldn't be possible without the help of so many,” begins Andrew Mah, Acting Executive Director of AMPA. “If you can stand where you are or wave...” Upon hearing these words, I stand from my perch by the LCD projector at the front of the room, and wave like a languid pageant-queen to the room of 150 people. That's odd, I think, no one else on my team is vying for recognition. Turns out I had interrupted Mah at the podium, mid-sentence. Dramatics aside, this was an unexpected move. You see, we folks behind the scenes rarely toot our own horns. And rarely do we do it so conspicuously. Alas, I've returned for an encore...

First, a plea. If you haven't been to a conference before, sign up for the next one. Every March, AMPA hosts the Alberta Magazines Conference. It's the largest professional development conference of its kind in Western Canada. It's such a big to-do that it's hard to believe AMPA has just two staffers. It's a celebration. It's inspiration. Staff will tell you it's like planning a wedding each year in addition to your regular job, only there is no proverbial bride and groom. Nor is there wedding cake or an epic dance-off, sadly....

To read the full article, visit

http://www.albertamagazines.com/conference/BehindScenesConferenceStory.php

Everyone's a Winner, Baby! Well, internally speaking...

Okay, so not everyone can win. But that doesn't mean we can't all have a good time. And that's precisely what happened tonight at the Alberta Magazines Conference gala where winners of the Alberta Magazine Awards were announced to a full house amid swanky live jazz tunes and prime rib dinners. For those of you who weren’t able to attend (and you better have a good excuse like having a five-month-old on your boob!), here’s who came out on top. 

Alberta Venture cleaned up taking the Best Cover, Best Photo, and Best Illustration categories. Way to go Team AV. Best Feature Design went to Wine Access magazine while IMPACT took Best Editorial Short. techlife took the win in the new Best Alberta Story category with a story by Scott Messenger—woot, woot, Scott! He didn’t even have to serve as a conference volunteer to get props this year.

Editorial judge Malwina Gudowska emphasized how the editorial panel looked first and foremost at the writing. “You can tell from the lead what the article will be like in terms of quality. And then of course if it holds my attention, that's a good sign. The idea is important, but I've read articles that I thought had so much potential in terms of a fresh new idea that in the end, just didn't work because of the writing. On the flip side, I've read stories that have been done a number of times but there was something new and interesting about it, maybe a different angle. It all worked because the writing was solid.” So remember folks, quality of writing is the only surefire way to a win at next year’s awards!

For Best New Magazine, 18 Bridges, the brainchild of writer Curtis Gillespie took top honours. Volunteer of the Year went to Dandelion’s Claire Lacey.

No Lucci for Lemon as Avenue Calgary’s Käthe Lemon finally claimed the Editor of the Year title and won one for the ladies. As Melanie Jones, one of the EYA judges, put it: “Käthe's editorial has a way of going beyond the surface level 'story idea' into the deeper DNA-level realms of exploring and trying to articulate something about what it means to live in Calgary now.”  

Fellow EYA judge Tom Gierasimczuk also added, “Käthe displays a rare dedication to her craft both as a storyteller, devoted volunteer, and a leader. The fierce devotion of her team as well as the products she oversees are testament to this.” A giant congrats to Käthe who I know personally to be a great editor and an even better human. You deserve it, chicka!

Tom also noted that “both Birthing magazine and Westword are riveting reads that serve their audiences admirably with limited resources.”

Finally, the Achievement in Publishing award went to one of my favourite people in publishing: Rob Tanner of TannerYoung Publishing (which publishes Where Edmonton and Canadian Cowboy Country). What a tribute to this most-deserving publisher to receive the recognition and acclaim of his peers. 

Rob has many years of magazine publishing experience and has also successfully crossed mediums creating his award-winning Cowboy Country TV show. He’s served in countless volunteer capacities including the ACIA board and of course, the AMPA board (in fact, he won Volunteer of the Year last year). For AMPA, he worked tirelessly for nearly a decade, and luckily for me, was president for part of the time I was E.D. Working closely with Rob proved to me that it’s not just his business savvy that makes him successful, but his willingness to learn and to share his knowledge with his fellow publishers. 

Rob has generously contributed both time and ideas to ensure the sustainability of Alberta’s publishing community not only for personal gain, but because he genuinely cares about fostering an environment where all hardworking independent publishers can survive and thrive. If that’s not an achievement in publishing, I don’t know what is. Yay Rob! I am thrilled for you!

Congrats again to all our winners and finalists. Yet another great year in Alberta magazines. Hurray! And enjoy the rest of the conference too! I can’t wait to hear how the rest of the event goes, especially the “after-party.” Peanuts pub, anyone? :P

--- Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

Nail-Biting Time: Award Finalists Announced!

Who doesn't love a good awards presentation? The newly expanded Alberta Magazine Awards will be no exception. The full rundown of finalists was announced yesterday in MagaScene.

So who are this year's contenders?

Well there's the usual showing by Alberta biggies, Avenue (Calgary) and Alberta Venture, each with several nominations. No surprise there. techlife, a past winner at the Showcase awards, no doubt wishes to continue its winning streak as well.

A little guy making some big noise is Routes magazine with three nominations. Shout-out to Sandra Wiebe and her team, considering they only came on the scene less than three years ago, and have made major leaps and bounds in that time--a time that can be the most challenging as any publisher knows.

The most formidable category has to be the Achievement in Publishing category. I mean seriously: Karen Crowdis, Editor-in-Chief, Birthing; Barbara Dacks, Publisher, Legacy; Gary Davies, Executive Vice-President, RedPoint Media Group Inc.; Tom Tait, Publisher, Galleries West; and Rob Tanner, Publisher, Tanner Young Publishing Group. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with all of these folks in some capacity and I am SO glad that I don't have to make the call on this one.

Any one of them are worthy of the award, but I have to admit I'm leaning towards Mr. Tait on this one. He’s been a key figure in Alberta’s magazine scene for many years now. Some of you may know that he used to be the publisher of Where Calgary. After selling that thriving venture to big gun St. Joseph Communications, he's ventured back into the fray to successfully helm Galleries West while simultaneously doing community work (such as with the Rotary Club), travelling and squeezing in a game or two of golf. All this while coping with leukemia. Give the man a prize I say!

Yes of course it's an honour to be nominated, but let's face it, people love to win! So what are your thoughts? Who do you think will and/or should win?

I'm hoping to get some judges' comments to make more predictions, but if you really want to know, make sure you attend the gala on March 24 at the Alberta Magazines Conference. Registration closes TODAY. Be there or be square.

--- Colleen Seto
AMPA Blogger-in-Residence

MagaScene: Awards Finalists Announced! (issue 81/March 2011)

FEATURE

Alberta Magazine Awards Finalists!
The Shortlisted Entries for Showcase and Achievement Awards… 

NEWS
AMPA’s New Blogger-in-Residence Seto Shares Her Insight
Professional Development Grants for Canadian Culture
Shortliffe Leaves Magazines File Changes at Canadian Heritage 

EVENTS

Get Publishing 2011 At the Edge of Print 

AWARDS/CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Donations for Webb-Bowerman Foundation Silent Auction
2011 Editors' Choice Awards
Routes Magazine Short Story Contest
Alberta Arts Days Funding 

JOBS

Editorial Intern, Avenue Edmonton Magazine

Graphic Designer, Source Media Group

Alberta Magazine Awards

The Alberta Magazine Awards will be presented at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala, on March 24 at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary, as part of the 2011 Alberta Magazines Conference. This is a celebration of you or someone you know in the Alberta magazine industry, featuring new Showcase Awards and Achievement Awards, cash prizes, plus all that glorious glory — and we need your submissions! 

Showcase Awards (Sponsored by Transcontinental). Submissions due February 22, 2011:

Showcasing excellence in magazine design and editorial. Submissions must be published and have appeared in an AMPA member magazine in the year 2010.

Categories

o Best Cover
o Best Short Editorial
o Best Feature Design
o Best Photo (new!)
o Best Illustration (new!)
o Best Alberta Story (new!)

Prizes
Winners in each category will receive a $250 cash prize, as well as gift prize and conference pass. Winners will be announced at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala held Thursday, March 24. 

Achievement Awards. Nominations due January 31, 2011: 

This is your opportunity to nominate a person or publication that has contributed significantly to the Alberta magazine publishing industry. Nominations are free. Nominees must be current residents of Alberta.

Categories

o Editor of the Year (Sponsored by Fairmont Hotels)
o Achievement in Publishing (new!)
o Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Magazines Canada)
o Best New Magazine (new!)

Editor of the Year, Achievement in Publishing and Best New Magazine winners will be announced at the Alberta Magazine Excellence Gala held Thursday, March 24. Volunteer of the Year will be announced at the Friday Wine and Cheese, March 25.

Click here for full Alberta Magazine Awards details