Society of Publishers in Asia Re-elects David E. Smith of The Economist as Chairman
Tom Leander from Lloyd’s List Named Chairman of SOPA 2012 Awards For Editorial Excellence Committee
[December 9, 2011] – The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) held their Annual General Meeting, electing to keep last year’s Board intact, with Mr. David Smith as Chairman, Ms. Christina Lee as Deputy Chairman, Ms. Helena Phua as Honorary Treasurer and Ms. Do Do Yeung as Honorary Secretary. SOPA also welcomes two new additions to the team, Ms. Christine Wong and Mr. Tom Leander, who will be filling in the roles of SOPA Regional Marketing Manager and SOPA 2012 Awards for Editorial Excellence Committee Chairman, respectively.
2012 marks SOPA’s landmark 30th Anniversary, and to reflect the ever-changing scope and challenges of the publishing industry, SOPA has decided to add two new categories to this year’s Awards: Excellence in Lifestyle Coverage, which will honor the work that demonstrates high standards of reporting and writing on a lifestyle topic, and Excellence in Explanatory Reporting, which will honor the work that demonstrates high standards of reporting, writing and in-depth analysis to explain a topic of significance.
SOPA is currently accepting entries for next year’s selection, and for the first time pdf submissions will be accepted as well. For the second year in a row, the Journalism and Media Studies Centre of the University of Hong Kong will continue to be the Awards Administrator.
In explaining the continuing and ever growing relevance of these important awards and recognition to the industry, Mr. Leander stated, “Given that enormous political, economic and social changes are sweeping the region, print and online journalists have an urgent task to present a fair view and to dig deep, with talent and courage, into the events that are changing Asia and the world. This makes it an especially exciting year for these long-standing, important awards. We’ll be recognising the best, in the world’s agenda-setting region.”
Adding to this, SOPA Chairman, Mr. David E. Smith, said, “We are very excited as we begin to accept entries for this year’s 14th Annual Awards for Editorial Excellence, our flagship event. Tom Leander brings a wealth of experience in journalism to the table, and we are confident that this year’s Awards will continue to play a major role in recognizing exceptional work around the region. We are also glad to have Christine Wong on board as our Regional Marketing Manager. Christine is an experienced media professional who will help SOPA grow its relevance in this ever changing media landscape. I look forward to working with Christine to re-establish SOPA’s role in setting and defining best practices in multi-platform publishing in Asia.”
To submit works for the SOPA 2012 Awards for Editorial Excellence, please visit: https://sopasia.com/old/awards/2012.
Categories for the awards can also be found here: https://sopasia.com/old/awards/2012/award.html
About SOPA
The Society of Publishers in Asia is dedicated to best practices in professional publishing. It represents the interests of both local and international media brands in Asia.
SOPA provides the platform for Asian and international publishers to network and collaborate on areas of common industry concern. The society represents the interests of both business and editorial groups, and promotes ethical business and reporting practices. SOPA facilitates training and events and is active in lobbying on government reforms affecting the media and information industries throughout Asia.
Underlying all SOPA activity, is an uncompromising dedication to and promotion of, the best traditions of independent, responsible journalism and freedom of the press, as a vital component of all free societies.
Issued on behalf of The Society of Publishers in Asia by Lee Wolter Co. Ltd.
For further information, please contact:
SOPA Secretariat
Tel: +852 2807 1272
Email: [email protected]=