The 2025 Local Media Digital Innovation Awards are now open, celebrating the people, projects, and strategies pushing local media forward through creativity, technology, and community impact.
The awards recognize standout work from calendar year 2025 across journalism, audience engagement, revenue, product innovation and leadership. Thanks to contest sponsor Upland / Second Street, all entries are free to submit.
The deadline to enter is February 14, 2026.
Celebrating innovation across local media
This year’s awards highlight how local news organizations are evolving to better serve audiences, strengthen trust and build sustainable businesses. Categories include:
Journalism & Storytelling Innovation
- Innovative Storytelling Award
Honors creative use of formats such as podcasts, newsletters, video, interactives and AI-assisted projects that enhance how audiences experience local journalism.
Audience & Community Engagement
- Community Engagement Award
Recognizes initiatives that build trust and stronger relationships through dialogue, transparency or civic participation. - Audience Growth Strategy Award
Honors smart, measurable strategies that grow reach, retention or loyalty across platforms. - Youth & Emerging Audiences Award
Celebrates approaches that connect with younger or nontraditional news consumers.
Public Service & Community Impact
- Public Service & Community Impact Award
Recognizes journalism with measurable positive outcomes for local communities, including accountability, health or education coverage.
Revenue & Business Model Transformation
- Advertising & Sponsorship Innovation Award
Honors creative branded content, sponsorship or advertising strategies that support journalism while delivering partner value. - Subscription & Membership Innovation Award
Recognizes new or improved approaches to recurring reader revenue and member engagement. - New Revenue Stream Award
Celebrates experimentation beyond traditional models, including events, philanthropy, e-commerce and other entrepreneurial efforts. - Best Contest and/or Promotion Award
Honors standout contests or promotions that exceeded expectations.
Technology & Product
- Product Innovation Award
Recognizes new tools, platforms or products that improve newsroom operations, user experience or long-term sustainability. - Most Innovative Use of AI in a News Organization Award
Honors groundbreaking integration of artificial intelligence into journalism or newsroom workflows.
People & Leadership
- Innovator of the Year (Individual)
Recognizes a leader whose vision and execution are driving meaningful transformation in local media. - Rising Star in Innovation (Individual)
Honors an early-career professional making a significant impact with fresh ideas.
Submit your work
Publishers, journalists, technologists and media leaders are encouraged to submit projects that demonstrate bold thinking, measurable impact or forward-looking innovation.
👉 View full details and submit entries here:
https://localmedia.org/2025-local-media-digital-innovation-awards/