O2 has launched its 2010 Media Awards to champion the work of those working across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Established in 2008, the awards aim to support the most talented and creative in the media industry working in regional newspapers, television and radio as well as internet-based digital mediums.

This year’s Yorkshire and the Humber O2 Media Awards also sees the introduction of three new categories including O2’s Think Big Award which looks to celebrate the achievements of young people involved in community-based communication projects.

Past O2 Media Award winners have included high profile writers such as Tom Richmond of the Yorkshire Post, Adam Lovell of the Hull Daily Mail and broadcaster Mick Lunny of BBC Radio Sheffield.

The awards also acknowledge the growth of social media, and journalists can now enter their blogs and twitter feeds in the Digital Journalist of the Year category.

Individual and team awards ranging from Reporter of the Year to Photographer of the Year will also feature. Separate categories have been introduced for weekly and daily newspapers although finalists in these sections will also compete for the overall O2 Newspaper of the Year, which last year was awarded to the Yorkshire Post.

The Yorkshire and the Humber O2 Media Awards are part of a series of regional media contests launched by the company across the North and North West. O2 employs more than 2,500 people at its award-winning centre at the Arlington Business Centre in Leeds.

Glenn Manoff, Director of Communications and Reputation for O2, said the awards continue to celebrate the important service provided by local and regional journalists.

‘O2 believes a connected community is a better community. Journalists play an integral role in keeping their communities informed and entertained. That’s why we’re delighted to once again recognise the achievements and professionalism of those working in the media industry through the O2 Media Awards.

‘This year the awards are expanding to reflect the way in which the media industry is developing. And we’re also excited to be introducing the Think Big media award to celebrate the achievements of young people who are using innovative methods to communicate with each other and their communities,’ he added.

A judging panel of media industry experts from the print, broadcast and digital sectors will select the finalists across 16 different media categories and the winners will be crowned at a presentation evening later this year.

Deadline for entry nominations is May 14, 2010.

Journalists will be able to enter the following categories:

  • Digital Journalist of the Year
  • Photographer of the Year
  • Feature Writer of the Year
  • Sports Journalist of the Year
  • Young Journalist of the Year (weekly newspapers)
  • Young Journalist of the Year (Daily newspapers and broadcast media)
  • TV Broadcast journalist of the Year
  • Radio Broadcaster of the Year
  • News Reporter of the Year
  • Business Journalist of the Year
  • Scoop of the Year
  • Editorial Team of the Year
  • Think Big media award
  • Weekly Newspaper of the Year
  • Daily Newspaper of the Year
  • O2 Newspaper of the Year

Entry forms are available by contacting Rossiter Media on 01925 576757 or by e-mail requests to O2mediaawards@rossitermedia.co.uk

Journalists can contact the Virgin Media O2 press office on:
press@virginmediao2.co.uk 01753 565656
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press@virginmedia.co.uk
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pressoffice@o2.com