The ‘best of the best’ of WAN-Ifra’s Digital Media Awards winners have been honoured in the worldwide presentations in Copenhagen.
Winners – announced during the 75th World News Media Congress – have already won their categories at regional contests in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and South Asia.
Entrants in India and southeast Asia took four of the 12 awards – one of which was global – with Scandinavia also strongly represented. The awards acknowledge excellence and groundbreaking digital innovation across a range of categories that recognise the changing way people receive and engage with news.
BEST USE OF AI IN REVENUE STRATEGY
Ekstra Bladet, JP/Politikens Hus, Denmark: Platform Intelligence in News (PIN)
BEST USE OF AI IN THE NEWSROOM
Russmedia, Austria: Russmedia meets AI
“Russmedia has created a comprehensive integration of AI across its newsroom workflows that is impressive in scale while at the same time being sensitive to editorial responsibilities. The approach was well thought through, thorough and transparent. They have thought about how to future proof their integrations while also bringing staff along for the journey.”
BEST DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION/READER REVENUE PROJECT
United Daily News Group, Taiwan: Cracking the Code: How Our Homegrown Data-Driven Curation Program Reshaped Subscription Growth
“From value of news content to newsroom transformation to fulfilling business needs, United Daily News Group has shown its competency to make this project a great success with data-driven curation approach reshaping subscription growth.”
BEST IN AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
The Hindu Group, India: The Hindu Made of Chennai
“An amazing project connecting people and the city via comprehensive touch points across various media. A testament of how powerful a media platform could be when it’s used in a very creative way!”
BEST INNOVATIVE DIGITAL PRODUCT
News Laundry Media Private Limited, India: Newslaundry App
“Digital audiences are expecting user centric products and experiences that match their current consumption habits at other apps. This is a great case that confirms how important it is to prioritise ’product’ strategies and not only ’pricing’ strategies, when we move to subscription based models.”
BEST NATIVE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Bonnier News, Sweden: The Swedish Heart Lung Foundation
“This strategy showcases a combination of creativity, innovation, and tangible results. Not only did it succeed in increasing donations, but it also raised awareness with an impact on public health. Undoubtedly, a success story that stands out in Swedish society.”
BEST NEWS WEBSITE
Amedia, Norway: ALT – a Norwegian one stop shop for personalized news content
“The value proposition is very interesting. With just one subscription you can access different newspapers.”
“ALT addressed readers’ pain point by offering them a personalised news solution with amazing growth of user base for the last four years.”
BEST NEWSLETTER
The Guardian, USA: Reclaim Your Brain
”Reclaim Your Brain” from The Guardian is a transformative experience that guides readers toward a healthier relationship with their devices. Like a path unfolding step by step, each edition cleverly connects to the next, enriching the journey towards digital mindfulness. Blending humour with evidence-based advice, this newsletter not only captures attention but empowers readers to control their mobile usage. Behind each issue, there is extensive research and expertise, making complex concepts accessible and applicable day by day.”
BEST PODCAST
Food For Mzansi Group, South Africa: Farmer’s Inside Track
“Good targeted content, and concise storytellling.”
BEST USE OF VIDEO
South China Morning Post, Hong Kong: SCMP Films
“This series is excellent. Each episode tells a compelling story, and they are tightly narrated. The quality of both the video and audio is excellent.”
BEST DATA VISUALISATION
Reuters, USA: How fentanyl replaced heroin and hooked America
“The transitions of the illustrations from the most understandable data to the least manageable figures create an attraction towards storytelling that is extremely difficult to achieve.”
BEST FACT-CHECKING PROJECT
Agence France Presse (AFP), Global: AFP Fact Check: how to verify information online
“This initiative goes beyond just delivering fact-checked content but shows how fact-checking is done and demonstrates how to use the tools and techniques. The examples used in the videos are real cases from different parts of the world and the explanations given by the journalists are clear and easy-to-follow. This can be a great resource for fact-checkers, trainers and ordinary people who want to learn how to do fact-checking by themselves.”
Picture: Global DMA winners gather in Copenhagen (photo Mick Friis)