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- Do I have to be a SND member to enter the competition?
- When are the deadlines for the 27th Edition Competition?
- Have rules changed from the 26th Edition to the 27th Edition competition (year 2005)?
- Where do I send entries?
- Do you have definitions as to what each award means?
- Must full payment be included with entry?
- Will you take credit cards for payment?
- Can a bank transfer be made to pay for my entries?
- What is the Federal ID (tax) number for SND?
- How do I know my entries were received?
- What is the best way to ship the entries?
- How should my entries be boxed?
- What do I do if I sent my entries or payment to the SND office by mistake?
- Do you accept entries COD or payment due for postage?
- What is the best way to send non-U.S. entries to get them through Customs quickly?
- Why do you want my e-mail address on the entry form?
- How can I find out if my publication won an award?
- Is a "double-truck" a single page or does it count as two pages?
- Where do I put the entry form on sections?
- For multiple-page entries where do I place tape to put pages together?
- What do I do if I no longer work where my entries were published?
- When will the 27th Edition Call for Entries be available?
- How do I get a copy of the Call for Entries?
- Will my entries be returned to me?
- Is there any chance a small circulation publication can win in the SND competition?
- Is it true that only publications that spend a lot of money win awards?
- May I photocopy completed entry forms for entries?
- May I enter a Web page in this competition?
- Not that it's important (oh, sure!), if I or my publication wins an award will some type of recognition follow?
- What things will disqualify my entries?
- If I have questions how can I get answers?
Q. Do I have to be a SND member to enter the competition?
A. No. Anyone may enter the competition as long as they qualify as outlined at the beginning of the Call for Entries.
[back to top]Q. When are the deadlines for the 27th Edition Competition?
A. The deadlines for the 27th Edition judging for the 2004 year are: U.S. entries must be received by Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006; non-U.S. entries must be received by Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006. No late entries can be accepted. Plan ahead since getting entries ready takes longer than you would think. Full payment must be included with entries.
[back to top]Q. Have rules changed from the 25th Edition to the 26th Edition competition (year 2004)?
A. Yes.a few changes in the wording takes place every year. Read the rules carefully and following them for each category and subcategory. A summary of rule changes will be in the 27th Edition Call for Entries or you can access the Call for the SND Web site at http://www.snd.org.
[back to top]Q. Where do I send entries?
A. Send entries to the address in the Call for Entries. Do not send the entries to the SND office in North Kingstown, RI. The correct address is: 27th Edition, c/o Marshall Matlock, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, 215 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244-2100.
[back to top]Q. Do you have definitions as to what each award means?
A. We sure do. Go to "Award System" under any (24th, 25th or 26th) Edition page on this Web site to see the definitions of the six possible awards. .
[back to top]Q. Must full payment be included with entry?
A. Yes, full payment must be included with entries. This can be in the form of check or valid credit card that is honored in North America or a combination of both. Since so many entries are received it is impossible to keep up with payments if full payment is not included in the entry. Do not send a check and/or payment form separate from the entries. Remember it may take time to get your publication to issue a check to be included with the entries. Thus, plan ahead for the time this will take so you do not miss the deadline. Send only one or maybe two (one company and one personal) check. Do not send a check for each entry. Add the total amount due on the payment form and send a check or checks or give a valid credit card number with expiration date to cover the total amount due. No bill can be sent and no purchase order can be accepted since time does not allow this. Sorry.
[back to top]Q. Will you take credit cards for payment?
A. Yes but make sure the credit card can be used in North America and the charge limit is large enough to cover the total cost of the entries. SND will take VISA, MasterCard and American Express. Place the correct credit card information on the Tally & Payment Form where requested along with the needed signature. Please carefully check the credit card number making sure you include all numbers correctly.
[back to top]Q Can a bank transfer be made to pay for my entries?
A. Yes. You can contact the USA SND office (401) 294-5233; fax (401) 294.294-5238 or e-mail snd@snd.org to get the information needed to send a bank transfer to the proper SND bank account to pay for your judging entries. Place a copy of the bank transfer information with your payment form with entries to confirm a transfer was made. Entries cannot be processed until the transfer is received at the SND bank so plan for the time this process will take. All transfers must be processed before the entry deadline.
[back to top]Q. What is the Federal ID (tax) number for SND?
A. The Federal ID or Employer Identification Number for SND is 23-2129331. Provide this number to your business office and no form will have to be filled out.
[back to top]Q. How do I know my entries were received?
A. For confirmation enclose a self-addressed, tamped or postage-paid business-size envelope. Make sure the postage is for the proper amount and country keeping in mind the envelope will be mailed from the U.S. Do not include money for this postage with payment. Proper postage must be included on the envelope to save time. This is the only confirmation that can be given. No e-mail, phone or fax confirmations can be given since we deal with thousands of entries and do not have time to find individual entries once they arrive. You might also check with your shipper for delivery confirmation. Again, make sure proper postage is included on the envelope for your country or a confirmation will not be sent. Do not seal the envelope; we will do that once a confirmation notice is placed inside.
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Q. What is the best way to ship the entries?
A. Send entries pre-paid to arrive before the deadline date given in the Call for Entries. Send all entries in one box, if possible; do not send multiple envelopes individually. If you have to place the entries, because of numbers, in more than one box mark "Box 1 of __ Boxes." Do not send entries COD: they will not be accepted. Most entries arrive using FedEx or UPS overnight service although that is not required as long as the entries and payment is received by deadline.
[back to top]Q.How should my entries be boxed?
A. Use sturdy boxes to pack your entries in their envelopes by categories. The key word here is "sturdy." Please do not use packing "peanuts" since they create problems in the audit room; crumpled paper works well for packing, if needed. Use envelopes large enough for your entries. Place envelopes in category as explained in the Call for Entries. Place your payment and payment form in a business-size envelope clipped to the top envelope. Make sure a complete return address is included on the box used to ship entries to Syracuse University or the box could be rejected for delivery by the shipper.
[back to top]Q. What do I do if I sent my entries or payment to the SND office by mistake?
A. Don't do it and we will not have a problem. All entries and payments are to be sent to the proper address at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. USA. Please follow the instructions listed in the Call for Entries for the proper mailing. If you did send the entries in error to the SND office the entries will be forwarded to Syracuse University, hopefully, arriving by deadline.
[back to top]Q.Do you accept entries COD or payment due for postage?
A. No. Entries sent COD or with postage due will be rejected and the sender will end up paying for the shipment without the entries being received at Syracuse University. All entries must be prepaid and arrive by deadline. Make sure the person sending the entries pays in full for the shipping at your end.
[back to top]Q. What is the best way to send non-U.S. entries to get them through Customs quickly?
A. Obviously, there is no way to know how long it will take your package to clear Customs but normally entries clear quickly without problems. To speed up clearance write on your box: "NEWSPAPERS: NO COMMERCIAL VALUE." Also include this information on the shipping form you fill out when you send the entries to Syracuse, NY.
[back to top]Q. Why do you want my e-mail address on the entry form?
A. We need your e-mail address neatly printed on the payment and entry forms in case we have questions about your entry. We find e-mail to be the fastest way to solve problems. More importantly, we use e-mail to notify all winners within weeks after the judging.
[back to top]Q. How can I find out if my publication won an award?
A. The person entering the winning entry (as listed on the "Submitted by" line) will be notified by e-mail and/or mail as soon as possible after the conclusion of the judging. Also, winners will be posted on SND's Web site at http://www.snd.org as soon as the database is complete. Corrections to the data can be made to names and titles from the information on the Web site.
[back to top]Q. Is a "double-truck" a single page or does it count as two pages?
A. Broadsheet, tabloid and magazine double-trucks count as a single-page entry or as one page in a multiple-page entry. A double-truck is defined as two facing pages designed as a single unit.
[back to top]Q. Where do I put the entry form on sections?
A. All entries that are complete sections must have the entry form securely fastened to the back of the last page of the section. Entries that require entire newspapers must have an entry form on the back of each section for that publication date. Do not submit advertising inserts but do submit all sections including the classifieds section(s). All other entries – single pages and taped together pages making up a multiple-page entry – must have an entry form on the back of each and every page.
[back to top]Q. For multiple-page entries where do I place tape to put pages together?
A. Again, follow the instructions. Some entries need to be placed in the order published. Sections do not have to be cut apart — send the entire section without taping pages with an entry form on the back of the last page for each section. If tape is required for any entry it must go on the back of the entry. No tape is to be used on the front of pages for any reason.
[back to top]Q. What do I do if I no longer work where my entries were published?
A. You may enter entries from a publication you are no longer working for as long as you have the pages to enter. You must use the publication's name and complete address not your new publication's address or personal on the entry form. You may include your name and current address in the area of the entry form that says "Submitted by." In this case you do not have to enter Category 1 — World's Best-Designed Newspapers™. The same is true if you are a freelance contributor to the publication.
[back to top]Q. When will the 27th Edition Call for Entries be available?
A. The 27th Edition Call for Entries should be available by mid November before the judging deadline and will be mailed to all SND members plus most daily and weekly newspapers around the world. Calls outlining the judging categories and rules should arrive just before or after the Thanksgiving holiday. The rules will also be posted on the SND Web site at http://www.snd.org .
[back to top]Q. How do I get a copy of the Call for Entries?
A. You can download a copy of the Call for Entries by going to the SND Web site at http://www.snd.org . Or you can call SND directly at (401) 294-5233 In the USA (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time). After hours you can FAX (401) 294-5238 leaving your name and complete address with your request. Or e-mail SND at snd@snd.org . The Call for Entries should be available beginning mid November if not before and will be mailed to all SND members plus a number of other daily and weekly newspapers around the world.
[back to top]Q. Will my entries be returned to me?
A. No. This is not possible with the number of entries received. Also if an entry wins it must be processed for the annual book and some winners are saved for future research projects.
[back to top]Q. Is there any chance a small circulation publication can win in the SND competition?
A. Yes. It happens every year. Many entries are broken down by circulation and judges take that into consideration in deciding winners. Quality is important no matter circulation; size is not the deciding factor. Circulation is just one of many considerations used in deciding winners. Therefore, go for it no matter how small or large and your quality entries will have just as good a chance to win an award like all others.
[back to top]Q. Is it true that only publications that spend a lot of money win awards?
A. No. In the past few years some of the World's Best-Designed Newspapers™ winners have not spent any money entering the competition since that category is free. Although it may be true the more entries a publication enters the better the odds of winning awards, that isn't always the case. Thus, a publication can and has entered only one or two entries and has won one or two awards. It happens all the time. Those who have entered the competition year after year suggest everyone do his or her own self-editing before they send entries. That will help those publications with limited budgets.
[back to top]Q. May I photocopy completed entry forms for entries?
A. Yes, please do but make sure all information is correct. Spelling errors will just be repeated which can cause serious problems for the entry and proper credit. Entry forms must be placed in the upper left corner on the back of each page (except complete sections). Be sure to type all names correctly and be consistent on all entry forms from the same publication (don't use "Robert" on one form and "Bob" on another for the same person, etc.). Don't use middle initials unless they are used in that person's name every time it appears on an entry form. It is best not to use them if possible. Some newspapers fill in the newspaper name, address, circulation, etc. before they copy the Entry Form. That works well as long as everything is spelled correctly and all information is correct so check the information very carefully before making copies. The circulation placed on the form must be the correct number (note information in the Call for Entries for the correct number to be used). All forms are available on the SND site for downloading at http://www.snd.org
[back to top]Q. May I enter a Web page in this competition?
A. No. You may enter Web pages and sites in SND's SND.ies competition. For more information go to the SND Web site at http://www.snd.org and click on the "Competitions" button on the left of the opening page. You will find information and entry forms about this competition that is not part of the print competition.
[back to top]Q. Not that it's important (oh, sure!), if I or my publication wins an award will some type of recognition follow?
A. You bet! Recognition comes in many forms some local and some internationally. First the winners will receive a certificate showing they have won giving the category name, the award, their name and the year of the competition. Top winners will be recognized at the annual SND Workshop & Exhibition which takes place each fall. Finally most if not all winners will be listed by image and credits in The Best of Newspaper Design™ book, which comes out each fall. World's Best-Designed Newspapers™ winners receive a trophy at the awards dinner at the annual Workshop and Exhibition. Thus there is reason to take a bow if you win an award.
[back to top]Q. What things will disqualify my entries?
A. The following things may eliminate your entries so please review the entry rules in the Call for Entries carefully:Mounting entries — do not do it!
No payment with the entries — payment by check or valid credit card to be used in the U.S. must be included with entries
Incomplete entries — make sure you following the rules as to numbers of pages and/or sections needed for an entry or publication dates needed
Not following the rules — enough said. Read the Call for Entries carefully!
Untapped portfolios and/or multiple-page entries — tape goes on the back of entries and to fail to tape the entries correctly will disqualify them
Bad packaging — use a sturdy box and good envelopes unsealed so pieces are not missing when the entry arrives in Syracuse, NY USA
Missing entry forms — these forms go on the back of entries per instructions in the Call for Entries
Writing anything on the front of entries — do not write anything on the front of the entries for any reason
Sending damaged pages — do not send torn or damaged pages
Incorrect information on entry forms — make sure the category and/or sub-category written on the entry form is correct and make sure the headline and all copy are correct and legible (print or typeset, if needed).
Having too many names on the entry form — some entries allow up to 10 names to be included while others allow only the word "Staff" or one name. Be sure to review this in the Call for Entries.Please read all rules pertaining to each category you are entering. Rules can and do change from year to year so read and follow the rules for the correct entry year. Judges reserve the right to move entries to other categories if they think the work will stand a better chance of winning an award.
Q. If I have questions how can I get answers?
A. For fastest response you can call the SND office between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (USA Eastern Time) Monday thru Friday at (401) 294-5233. Or you can e-mail that office at snd@snd.org. The SND office can take questions in Spanish, if that helps. Or you can contact the Judging Director by e-mailing Prof. Matlock. Please contact only one person using only one of the above procedures since we do not want to repeat information because of limited time. Time is important to you and to us. You will get a response as quickly as possible.
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