The Imagination Awards honor the work of independent magazine media companies and brands. These awards recognize projects and teams that capture the essence of a brand and demonstrate innovative thinking and imaginative tactics, well-defined business objectives, and successful execution and results.

Winners were announced at the 2019 IMAG Conference on May 9. For more information about the conference, click here. 

To view the 2018 winners and finalists, click here . To view the 2017 winners and finalists, click here.

THE AWARD CATEGORIES

IMAGINATION AWARDS 2019 WINNERS AND FINALISTS

Audience

Winner
Weekends with Yankee Season 2
Yankee Magazine

Robots Guide
IEEE Spectrum

Mixing Food + Personality
Taste of Home

Content

Winner
The Economist’s Open Future
The Economist

Women at Work
Harvard Business Review

Genetic Testing Goes Mainstream
Science News

Digital

Winner
Racer X Illustrated Digital Edition
Filter Publications

HODINKEE Magazine Website
HODINKEE

American Airlines: One Day Two Ways
Ink 

Events

Winner
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day 2018
Smithsonian Magazine

Domino + Amazon Holiday Home
A Shoppable Pop-Up
Domino

Taste of Home's 5th Annual Gingerbread Boulevard
Trusted Media Brands, Inc.


Revenue

Winner
Forbes AI with Intel
Forbes Media

Travel Tales: A Live Storytelling & Podcast Series
AFAR Media

Merrell Magic
Backpacker

Leadership

Winner
Content Operating Leverage
The Taunton Press

WHO SHOULD ENTER?
All independent consumer and enthusiast magazines published in the United States are eligible to enter the Imagination Awards. (Want to know if your brand is considered independent? Ask!)

RULES & ELIGIBILITY 
  1. Digital-only brands are not eligible. 
  2. MPA membership is not required.
  3. To be considered for a 2019 award, applicants must have started the project between January 1 and December 31, 2018.
  4. Applicants may submit in multiple categories.
  5. MPA may extend the award submission deadlines at its discretion. 
  6. MPA maintains the right to reclassify entries from one category to another.
  7. Self-nomination is encouraged.

HOW ARE THE WINNERS CHOSEN?
Panels of judges composed of senior executives from independent magazine media brands in the areas of audience, content, digital, events, leadership and revenue will review entries in their respective areas of expertise. No judge shall review the work of his or her own brand or corporate entity. Entries will be judged on the goals, elements and impact of the program.

KEY DATES

Entry Deadline
February 28

Finalists Announced
Late March

Awards Ceremony
May 9

THANK YOU TO THE 2019 JUDGES

Mark J. Adeszko | SVP \ Chief Operating Officer, American MainStreet Publications
Diane Bacha | Editorial Director, Kalmbach Media
Kelly Blake | VP, Catapult Creative Labs, Active Interest Media
Beth Brenner | Chief Revenue Officer, Domino
Aislyn Greene | Senior Editor, AFAR Media
Lauren Hackett | SVP, Global Communications, The Economist
Katie Herrell | VP, Digital, Active Interest Media
Samir Husni | Founder and Director, Magazine Innovation Center, University of Mississippi
Bryan Kinkade | VP, Publisher, AFAR Media
Amy Lammers | SVP, Events and Strategic Partnerships, MIT Technology Review
Dennis Lewon, Editor in Chief, Backpacker
Jamie Martin | Editor in Chief, Experience Life
Fran Middleton | Chief Digital Officer, America’s Test Kitchen
Erica Moynihan | VP, Custom Acquisition and Engagement, The Taunton Press
Amy Poftak | Director of Communications, Harvard Business Review
Derek Sevcik | | EVP, Group Publisher & Operations, Outdoor Sportsman Group
Patrick Taylor | Founder, 59Media and Former VP, Communications, Meredith Corporation
Beth Tomkiw | Chief Content Officer, Taste of Home & Enthusiast Brands, Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
Caty Trio | Senior Manager of Customer Retention & Loyalty, Harvard Business Review
Jamie Trowbridge | CEO, Yankee Publishing
Samantha Trueheart | Digital Strategist, Yoga Journal 
Caysey Welton | Content Director, FOLIO:
Amy Wilkins | Chief Revenue Officer, Smithsonian Media