And the importance of the Awards in recognising and encouraging excellence has been recognised by PPA’s Business Media Group which this year joins the Data Publishing Association as promoter and sponsor.
“It’s great to have the PPA join us,” says DPA chairman Trevor Fenwick, “as most B2B publishers have migrated magazine brands to the web and have acquired or launched data services, giving them a prime focus on the digital delivery of business content, which is what our Awards are all about”.
Last year the two top awards went to RBI’s Xpert HR service and Thomson Local’s new web directory. This year there are eleven categories for publishers, their teams and executives to enter. “Trading has continued to be tough,” says Awards organiser Jerry Gosney, “so judges expect entries to be as much about digging-in and holding market positions as breaking new ground – though recession does create its own opportunities.”
There certainly seems to be little let up in the pace of innovation on the web, where former print brands now strut their stuff alongside inter-active digital services from both entrepreneurial start-ups and established B2B publishers.
“We anticipate and look forward to full participation from PPA’s Business Media Group members,” says Jerry Gosney, “with entries based on their excellent community sites, user and advertiser services. It clearly raises the level of competition, but equally raises the standing of the whole event. Digital is the key focus across the B2B sector – and this is where success and achievement are recognised and winners saluted.”
Closing date for entries for the Digital Publishing Awards, sponsored by the DPA and the PPA’s Business Media Group, is Friday 25 June, with Awards presented at a Gala Dinner that follows the DPA Annual Digital Publishing Conference, 18 November, the De Vere Grand, Brighton.
