Wincott Awards 2021 deadline extended: Friday March 4! Plus details of how to apply and what the judges are looking for

by Tony Major

After receiving several requestions for extensions because of events in Ukraine, the Wincott Foundation is extending the deadline for awards entries to midnight on Friday March 4

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The purpose of the Wincott Foundation’s annual awards is to recognise outstanding achievement in the field of business, economic and financial journalism.

Wincott’s judges will put a premium on deep, original reporting and depth of understanding. No matter how complex the subject, it should be presented in a way that is intelligible to the lay person while remaining authoritative.

A wide range of styles and formats will be considered, from commentary, analytical features and documentaries to original reporting on companies and business issues. Entries of scoops and other exclusives should also broaden understanding of the subject.

The awards are for work completed in 2021.

Journalists working in more than one medium are encouraged to demonstrate the full range of their delivery. Individual reporters and commentators can apply, as can teams engaged in a specific story, broadcast or data journalism project.  Freelance journalists are very welcome to apply for the awards.

Print and online entries should consist of no more than THREE examples of work (please note this is different from previous years). Video and audio entries should be of one film, programme or podcast. If the programme is part of a series, a description of the series can accompany the entry. Those entering news programmes in these categories may include five items.

You can enter directly and/or nominate others. If you do the latter, please send us their contact details.

The deadline for entries is Monday February 28 2022.

The seven Wincott Awards for 2021 are:

Journalist of the Year: to the individual, or team, making the best contribution to financial, business and economic journalism. (Up to £5,000)

Video journalism of the Year: awarded to the team or individual producing the best video work, including terrestrial, digital and film. It can be a single programme or a series of programmes. (Up to £5,000)

Audio journalism of the Year: awarded to the team or individual producing the best audio work, including on-line and podcasts. This can be a single programme or a series of programmes. (Up to £5,000)

Data journalism of the Year: awarded to the team or individual showing the best use of data analysis and visualisation tools to tell a complex story. (Up to £5,000).

Personal finance journalist of the Year: awarded to the individual, or team, making the best contribution to reporting, analysis or investigations of personal finance issues. This can be via any media channel. (£1,500)

Young journalist of the Year: to the best individual journalist under the age of 30 at the end of 2020, working in any medium. (£1,500)

Journalist of the Year, UK Nations and Regions: to the individual or team in any medium making the best contribution to business journalism in the UK nations and regions. (£2,000)

How to Apply

All entries should be emailed to wincottawards@gmail.com

The subject line should specify the category and the email should state:

• Entrant’s/nominee’s name, or names (maximum of five), and role(s)

• The category that the submission is being entered for

• Name of the publication or channel

• Date(s) of publication or broadcast

• Titles of the articles or programmes (with episode number, if applicable)

• Short synopsis (max 200 words)

• Link to YouTube or Vimeo submission (video/audio category)

• A supporting letter from an editor may be included

It is very important that the judges can easily access the entries. ‘Light’ documents can be attached to the email eg in pdf form. If the submissions are over 1MB, the body of the email must contain attachments in doc or pdf form (text must be copyable) to the full version. Please do not send links to articles that are behind a paywall.

Please upload audio and/or visual entries to Vimeo or Youtube as an unlisted post and ensure that a downloadable copy can be made.

For any queries please view our FAQs page.

If you still have further queries regarding print or online entries, please contact secretary@wincott.co.uk

For audio and video, please contact: maritina@dartmouthfilms.com

The awards are organised and funded by The Wincott Foundation, which was set up in 1969 in honour of Harold Wincott, the most distinguished economic journalist of his day.

It seeks to contribute to a better understanding of business, economic and financial issues by supporting and encouraging high-quality journalism.

The Foundation believes that the media – print, broadcast and on-line – have an important role to play in reporting, explaining and commenting on economic and business developments. Accurate, objective and authoritative journalism is essential to a well-functioning market economy.

You may also like