Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

National Magazine Awards

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Date
  
Annual

Country
  
United States

Awarded for
  
Excellence in the magazine industry

Sponsored by
  
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Presented by
  
American Society of Magazine Editors

First awarded
  
1966; 51 years ago (1966)

The National Magazine Awards, also known as the Ellie Awards, are a series of American awards that honor excellence in the magazine industry. They are sponsored by the American Society of Magazine Editors and administered by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City, New York. The awards have been presented annually since 1966.

Contents

They are generally considered the highest award in the magazine industry; in the magazine world, they are roughly equivalent to the Pulitzer Prizes (which are far more widely known in the popular culture, but do not include a magazine category).

Recipients of awards are selected in a two-step procedure: First, entries are reviewed by a judging panel, which recommends a group of finalists; then, a second panel of judges chooses one winner in each category.

The current categories are:

Winners in each of the categories are awarded an "Ellie", a copper-colored stabile sculpture by Alexander Calder, resembling an elephant, which is manufactured by New York firm Society Awards. The National Magazine Awards web site has a searchable database of all the winners and top-five finalists.

General Excellence

Honors print and digital magazines in six categories based on content and audience.

Businessweek received the first ever award in 1973. No award was given from 1974 to 1980. When General Excellence returned as a category in 1981, it was given to four magazines per year until 1998, when five magazines received General Excellence awards. Six magazines received awards in 2002. From 2003 to 2010, the award went to seven different magazines and in 2011, to eight. Since 2012, the award has gone to six magazines.

Design

Previously known as Visual Excellence (1970-1979). Honors overall excellence in print magazine design.

Photography

Honors overall excellence in print magazine photography.

Feature Photography

Previously known as Photo Portfolio/Photo Essay (2004-2006) and Photo Portfolio (2007-2010). Honors the use of original photography in a feature story, photo-essay or photo portfolio.

Single-Topic Issue

Honors magazines that have devoted a single issue to the comprehensive examination of one subject. No award was given in 2000 or 2001.

Magazine Section

Honors a regularly published front- or back-of-the-book department or section.

Personal Service

Previously known as Service to the Individual (1974—1985). Honors the use of print to serve readers’ needs and aspirations. No award was given in 1981.

Leisure Interests

Previously known as Special Interests (1986-2001). Honors the use of print to provide practical information about recreational activities and special interests.

Website

Honors magazine websites and online-only magazines.

Multimedia

Previously known as Multimedia Feature or Package (2010) and Multimedia Package (2011). Honors digital storytelling and the integration of magazine media.

Video

Honors the outstanding use of video by magazines published on digital platforms.

Public Interest

Known as Public Service (1970-1985). Honors magazine journalism that illuminates issues of national importance. No award was given in 1973.

Reporting

Previously known as Reporting Excellence (1970-1980) and New Reporting in 1988. Honors reporting excellence as exemplified by one article or a series of articles.

Feature Writing

Honors original, stylish storytelling. Incorporates Profile writing as of 2013.

Essays and Criticism

Category previously known as "Criticism & Belle-Lettres" (1977) and Essays (2000–10). Honors "long-form journalism that presents the opinions of the writer on topics ranging from the personal to the political".

Columns and Commentary

Honors political and social commentary; news analysis; and reviews and criticism.

Fiction

Previously known as Fiction & Belle-Lettres (1974 -1976). Honors fiction originally published in magazines.

Magazine of the Year

Honors magazines for editorial excellence as demonstrated in print and on digital platforms for the quality and consistency of magazine-branded content and services produced by or associated with the publication, including but not limited to conferences and events; books; and radio and television programs.

National Magazine Award

For the first four years of the National Magazine Awards, only one award was given.

1966

  • Look "for its skillful editing, imagination and editorial integrity, all of which were reflected particularly in its treatment of the racial issue during 1965.”


    • 1967

  • LIFE "in recognition of skillful, imaginative and constructive editing as reflected particularly in vivid photo reporting of the war in Vietnam, outstanding coverage of the civil rights issue, and effective support for the preservation of great works of art—in keeping with an admirable tradition of public education on cultural subjects.”

    • 1968

  • Newsweek "in recognition of that magazine's development of a new form of editorial analysis and advocacy in its major effort to present America's racial problems. The 'program of action,' published in Newsweek's issue of November 20, 1967, was a 23 page article combining reportage, analysis and opinion under the title 'The Negro in America: What Must Be Done.' The judges considered the project, clearly labeled as a departure from Newsweek’s standard policy, to have been skillfully and responsibly executed. They consider it a useful and important form, when sparingly used, in the news magazine field.”


    • 1969

  • American Machinist Magazine, a McGraw-Hill trade publication, which was recognized for its special issue, “Will John Garth Make It?” The study of U.S. industry’s role in combating unemployment, especially among those that companies might consider unemployable, included Mr. Garth, a 26-year-old high school dropout and parolee.

    • Certificates of Special Recognition

    Identifying one winner was no doubt a challenge for the judges in the first years of the National Magazine Awards. It was decided from the start that Certificates of Special Recognition as well as commendations would be given.

    1966

  • Scientific American “for general excellence in its field and, particularly, for its special issue, drawing on many disciplines, dealing with the broad subject of urbanization”
  • Grade Teacher “for its high quality treatment of important new subjects, conspicuously improved use of illustration and practical service to its readership—all within the limitations of a modest budget”
  • Ebony “for imaginative and forceful treatment of social questions as reflected particularly in its issue on 'The White Problem in America'”


    • 1967

  • Motive “for editorial vitality, for tasteful innovation in design, and for forthright treatment of delicate issues that once would have been taboo in religious-affiliated publications"


    • 1968

  • Esquire “for its editorial creativity and diversity its original typographical and pictorial presentation, and its penetrating reporting of character and social trends as exemplified in its submitted article about Jack Ruby”
  • LIFE “for its uncompromising and well documented series exposing the scale of organized crime in the United States and for its pursuit of new facets of the subject”
  • Vogue “for visual grace, wit and innovation accompanied by printed content in harmony with its high graphic standard”

    • Commendation

    Nine titles were commended at the first annual National Magazine Awards. This was the only year such recognition was given.

    1966

  • TIME "for the innovation of its well researched, expertly written and balanced series of ‘TIME Essays.’”
  • The New Yorker “for its skillful editing and for its flair for dramatic innovation as demonstrated by its publication of Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood.’"
  • American Machinist Magazine “for its comprehensive treatment of the balance of payments problem as it affects industry.”
  • Continuum “for its role, as a Roman Catholic magazine of small circulation, in delving into controversy and presenting strong conviction and thorough research in a handsome format.”
  • Motive “for skillful and dramatic presentations of major issues in a small-circulation Protestant magazine.”
  • Vogue “for its effective use of color in editorial pages.”
  • Fortune “for its clear and thoughtful presentations, including its series offering a fresh look at the influence of automation.”
  • TV Guide “for dealing thoughtfully with controversial topics in a setting where others might have settled for fan-appeal trivia.”
  • LIFE “for overall skill in dealing with contemporary civilization, cultural subjects and public affairs.”

    • Profile Writing

    Previously known as Profiles (2000-2001). Honors excellence in profile writing by recognizing the vividness and perceptiveness with which the writer brings his or her subject to life.

    Reviews and Criticism

    Honors excellence in criticism of art, books, movies, television, theater, music, dance, food, dining, fashion, products and the like by recognizing the knowledge, persuasiveness and original voice that the critic brings to his or her reviews.

    News and Documentary Photography

    Previously known as Photojournalism (2007-2010) and News Photography (2011-2012). Honors excellence in the informative photographic documentation of an event or subject in real-time.

    Photography, Digital Media

    Honors overall excellence in the design of magazine websites and online-only magazines.

    General Excellence in Digital Media

    Previously known as General Excellence in New Media (1997-2000), General Excellence Online (2001-2009) and General Excellence, Digital Media (2010-2013).

    Design, Digital Media

    Previously known as Best Interactive Design (2001). Honors overall excellence in the design of magazine websites and online-only magazines.

    Reporting, Digital Media

    Previously known as News Reporting (2010-2011). Honors overall excellence in the design of magazine websites and online-only magazines.

    Personal Service, Digital Media

    Previously known as Interactive Service (2007) and Personal Service Online (2008-2008). Honors a site’s effective use of multimedia technology to deliver information that users can act on to improve the quality of their personal lives or enjoy recreational pursuits.

    Commentary, Digital Media

    Previously known as Blogging (2010-2011). Honors excellence in opinion journalism on digital platforms.

    Website Department

    Previously known as Regular Department or Section (2010) and Online Department (2011). Honors a regularly updated, clearly branded department or channel.

    Utility App

    Previously known as Interactive Feature (2007-2009) and Interactive Tool (2010-2011). Honors an outstanding app, feature or section of a website that uses multimedia technology, tools, community platforms or other interactive formats to deliver or share content such as news, information and entertainment, rather than practical instruction or advice.

    Podcasting

    Honors outstanding audio podcasts on a magazine website or online-only magazine.

    Tablet Magazine

    Previously known as Mobile Media (2010), Mobile Edition (2011) and Tablet Edition (2012). Honors magazines published on tablets and e-readers, including digital-only magazines.

    References

    National Magazine Awards Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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