The judges will be looking to understand how entrants deliver content and value to their audience, as well as opportunities for commercial monetisation. Publishers will need to be able to demonstrate the impact of their activity – engagement, audience growth, commercial performance, as well as evidence of advertiser ROI.

Beth Crane, PPA Next Gen Board member and Affiliates Director, Immediate Media commented:“We designed the Community Engagement award to showcase inspiring examples of brands who are building spaces for meaningful conversation with their special interest audiences. In an era where authenticity is key, we’re excited to hear from those who demonstrate how creating these spaces allows them to stay aligned to their audience’s interests and values. And in turn, helps them to deliver highly trusted content”.

Sophie Eke, PPA Next Gen Board mentor and Chief Marketing Officer, Arc added: “I am thrilled to see the hard work of the PPA Next Gen Board result in a new Community Engagement category for this year’s PPA awards. Specialist communities are extremely valuable, they provide relevant and engaging content and promote individuality and trust with our audiences. We hope the new award will inspire PPA members to showcase their communities and the power they hold to inform trusted content which is firmly at the heart of business and consumer media.”

The PPA Next Gen Board is a group of fifteen aspiring under 30s who have been chosen from across the industry to work in tandem and collaboratively with the main PPA board to help shape the future of the specialist interest media sector.

PPA members and independent publishers receive discounts on Awards entries. Entry deadline: 9 February 2024. Eligibility period: 1 Jan 2023 – 31 Jan 2024. You can find out more and enter here.