MDDC Contests

The Association sponsors annual contests in several disciplines, culminating in award ceremonies to honor the winners.

The Advertising Contest recognizes creativity and originality in advertising design. It features categories such as retail, real estate, recruitment, house ads, niche publications, special sections, house promotions and others, and gives awards across each of four circulation divisions reflecting the full membership: dailies above and below 35,000 and non-dailies above and below 15,000 circulation. 

The Editorial Contest acknowledges editorial excellence. Entries are accepted for categories that include continuing coverage, investigative reporting, public service, medicine and science, religion, and arts, and also recognizes superior page design, photography and informational graphics. There is also a special adjunct award in this discipline, the James S. Keat Freedom of Information Award, named for a Baltimore Sun editor who made significant contributions to the region and the Association in that arena, and which salutes a newspaper that demonstrates extraordinary efforts to gain access to public records, pursue open meetings or address other FOI issues. The awards are presented in each of six circulation divisions: dailies above 75,000 or 30,000 and dailies under 30,000; and to non-dailies over 20,000 or 10,000, and non-dailies under 10,000 circulation.

The Online Media Contest honors online excellence by member newspapers. Contest categories reflect the myriad technologies and trends in use today such as citizen involvement and online advertising, as well as general site design. The awards are given across three divisions: Metro (dailies with circulation over 75,000), Daily (under 75,000 circ.) and Non-daily.

Eligibility: The contests are open to all active members of the Association and, in the case of the New Media Contest, to the affiliate members as well. 

Judging of the contests is performed on a reciprocal basis with other state press associations through common affiliation under the Newspaper Association Managers' coalition.  

The contest period begins each November when entry packets are distributed. Original content published during the calendar year is eligible for entry according to each contest's particular rules and is due typically the following January. The awards for each are presented the Annual Awards Conference held each April. 

The 2010 contest season will begin in the fall. Check back soon for contest information.

Contest Archives

Visit the archives to view lists of winners of previous MDDC contests in PDF format.