The Neal Awards competition is open to editorial staff of B2B media companies.

Awards are given to editors, not to publications. Entries are scored on three criteria: execution and craft, journalistic enterprise and significance to the field served. Most award categories are based on gross revenue classifications (combined print and online) to ensure resource parity.

Judging of the Neal Awards is organized in three tiers.

The award winner in each category/classification is chosen from four finalists, all of whom will be recognized for their finalist status. The Grand Neal Award, the pinnacle of B2B editorial achievement, honors the most outstanding entry from among the Neal winners in all categories.

Interested in Judging the Neal Awards?

Neal judges play a critical role in the success of the Awards.  The peer-review judging process ensures the high quality and caliber of the work selected to win an award.  And if you are looking for new ideas to spice up your brand in 2022, this is also an excellent way to see firsthand what the best of the best have been up to!

We are looking for senior-level editors, as well as art and design professionals to volunteer with Stage 1 judging. You are able to submit entries, as well as judge. 

Review judge FAQs or reach out to nealawards@siia.net with further questions. 

Why Become a Judge

1. A unique opportunity for service to your profession
2. A behind-the-scenes view into exemplary entries that can generate ideas for your own brands.
3. A firsthand look at the talent leading the way in the industry today
4. A networking opportunity

Who is Eligible

1. Editorial Teams
2. Content Teams
3. Art and Design Teams

Responsibilities and Commitment

1. Stage 1 judges, for example, can be expected to review up to 20 entries each (this number is subject to change depending on how many entries are submitted and how many judges sign up).
2. It is recommended that judges reserve 10 hours to dedicate to judging.
3. Judging will be completed virtually, with the exception of the final days of Stage 3 judging.
4. Judges are urged to refer to the rules and category descriptions here.
5. Throughout the judging process, the Neals team is standing by to assist. Contact nealawards@siia.net with any questions, issues, or comments. 
6. Recusals: If for any reason you feel you cannot judge an entry please contact nealawards@siia.net immediately so that we can reassign that entry to another judge. 

Signing Up

Before signing up to be a judge, please make sure you understand the judging process so you know what to expect and what your responsibilities will be.

We will try our best to assign you categories you most want to judge. List as many categories as you feel comfortable judging by completing the questionnaire included in the registration process. 

Stage 1 judging is managed through the registration process; Stages 2 and 3 are by-invitation.  If you are interested in participating as a Stage 2 or 3 judge, please contact us at nealawards@siia.net.

You will receive a confirmation email upon completion of your registration.  Unless you hear directly from the Neals team, judgets are accepted upon registering.

Entry Assignments

Entry assignments will be sent to judges on:

• January 18 (Stage 1)
• February 14 (Stage 2)
• March 7 (Stage 3)

Please review your entry assignments in the judge portal as soon as you receive them and let the Neals team know of any conflicts of interest, or if you can no longer participate as a judge.

Entry Evaluations

As a judge, you may be expected to evaluate up to 20 entries, in various categories (this number is subject to change depending on how many entries are submitted and how many judges sign up). Each stage will be conducted online within the judge portal (Stage 3 will also include a live portion in judging). Entries are scored on three criteria: execution and craft, journalistic enterprise and significance to the field served, using a 0-10 point scale.

Please remember that you are comparing each entry to the criteria provided, and not against each other.

 

Questions or comments? Please contact us at nealawards@siia.net.