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National Parenting Publications Awards Frequently-Asked Questions |
NAPPA FAQs
What kinds of competitions does NAPPA judge?
Which competition should I enter?
What are the deadlines for entries?
What happens if I miss the entry deadline?
What kinds of products can be entered?
Is there any restriction on the release year for entries?
How is NAPPA different from other awards programs?
What are the judging criteria for NAPPA?
How do I submit an online-delivered product?
Can I get feedback from the NAPPA judges about my product, whether or not it is a winner?
Which levels of awards does NAPPA offer?
What are the benefits of winning a NAPPA Gold or Honors award?
What’s the difference between Gold and Honors awards?
How and when are entrants notified of the results?
When and where does NAPPA coverage appear?
How long is my product considered a NAPPA winner?
Does it cost to use the NAPPA seal?
What is Dominion Enterprises?36+
What if I still have questions?
What kinds of competitions does NAPPA judge?
NAPPA holds two annual competitions: Children’s Products and Parenting Resources.
• The Children’s Products competition judges products that children use primarily by themselves. Categories include: Toys, Board games, Books and Magazines, Music; DVDs & TV Shows and Virtual (Software, Video Games, Websites and Apps).
• The Parenting Resources competition evaluates products that parents use for themselves or resources they use for parenting their children. Categories include: Baby Gear & Equipment, Baby/Toddler Accessories, Maternity/Breastfeeding/Women's Fitness, Parent Education: Books, CDs, DVDs, Software & Websites, Baby Health & Nutrition and Childproofing & Safety.
Which competition should I enter?
If your product is for a child to use mostly on his or her own, you should enter it in the Children’s Products competition. For more details, refer to What kinds of products can be entered? or the Children’s Products Entry Form appropriate to your product below:
2012 Books & Audio Books Entry Form
2012 Board Games & Toys Entry Form
2012 DVDS, TV Shows & Music CDs Entry Form
2012 Virtual Products Entry Form (includes video games, software, hardware, websites and apps)
If your product is for parents to use themselves or in the parenting of their children, you should enter it in the Parenting Resources competition. Also included in this competition are infant and toddler products that are not toys. For details, refer to What kinds of products can be entered? or the Parenting Resources Entry Form.
If you are still not sure where your product belongs, contact NAPPA.
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What does it cost to enter?
The entry fees for NAPPA are among the most reasonable for competitions of this kind and vary according to product. Discounts are available for multiple entries within the same competition and category. We encourage large and small companies to enter. Gold and Honors winners will have their product recognized and promoted through NAPPA. For details about entry fees and discounts, check the Children’s Products Entry Forms or the Parenting Resources Entry Form.
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What are the deadlines for entries?
Entries for the 2012 NAPPA Children’s Products and 2012 NAPPA Parenting Resources competitions must be received in the NAPPA office by the deadline date:
Parenting Resources competition
• Jan. 21, 2012: Parenting Resources Entry Form
Children’s Products competition -
• June 31, 2012:
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What happens if I miss the entry deadline?
Products that arrive more than five days after the deadline will be entered in the following year’s competition upon agreement of the entrant. Reasonable requests for extensions can be negotiated - contact us at nappa@parenthood.com.
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What kinds of products can be entered?
The Children’s Products competition invites the following categories of entries:
•Books, Audio Books & Magazines: This category welcomes all genres of books and magazines published for children. Books for Young Children include board books, picture books, pop-ups and book kits (packaged with a toy, CD, art tools, etc.). Chapter Books and Young Adult books include novels, fiction, non-fiction, biography, poetry, fantasy, graphic novels, etc..
Magazines can be of any genre for any age or reading level. Books and Magazines are judged for their literary value, visual presentation of text and illustration, and story appeal.
NOTE: Books that come with companion CDs or toys should be entered in the Books & Magazines category only if the book is the primary element of the set. Books in galley form may be submitted if they will be published and available for purchase by the time the awards are announced in print and online: June 1st for the NAPPA Parenting Resources competition and November 1st for the NAPPA Children’s Products competition.
• DVDs & TV Shows: This category includes the full range of entertaining and educational visual presentations for children: stories, documentaries, skill builders (learning colors, alphabet, etc.) and interactive games, dance or exercise. Studio and independent feature films, TV programming available on DVD, and made-for-television specials are also included.
NOTE: Studio films are evaluated against other studio entries; indies are judged against indie entries only. If you are unsure whether your DVD is an appropriate candidate for the Children's Products competition or the Parenting Resources competition, please speak with a NAPPA staff member (NAPPA@parenthood.com; 818.846.0400 ext. 127) who will help place it in the appropriate competition.
• Games (non-electronic): Includes board games, card games and outdoor games – in short, games that require rules in order to play. NOTE: Video games should be entered into the Virtual category.
• Music: Includes lullabies and instrumentals, multicultural and multilingual songs, original compositions and old favorites.
NOTE: Music entries that have companion books or toys will be judged on the quality and content of the music, lyrics, vocals and recording only. If the music is secondary to the book or toy, please enter such products in NAPPA’s Books & Magazines category or Toy category.
• Virtual: This category includes software, video games, hand-held systems, websites and apps; products that can be used on the computer.
NOTE: NAPPA can accept beta versions and any equipment needed (i.e. debug units) to run the entries, which we will return upon completion of our evaluation. (Please enclose a prepaid, return label and let us know the name of the person with whom we should confirm shipment.) At the minimum, submit one or two complete levels and documentation (i.e., marketing-related or design specifications), and any supplements you can provide to support your beta or work-in-progress entry.
If a software entry is available on multiple platforms and the content is virtually the same on each, submit product for only the most commonly used platform. However, if the product differs significantly from one platform to the other, then you should submit product for each platform.
• Toys: Must be fun and engaging! Products can be indoor or outdoor, electronic or not. We welcome toys and activity kits for all children, including those with special needs, as well as products that promote development of specific skills, and toys that encourage family play, as well as toys that can be used alone or with friends. Judges look for innovation, educational value and the ability to “grow” with a child’s developmental interests and needs.
NOTE: Toys that come with books should be entered in the NAPPA Toys category only if the toy is the primary element of the set. Batteries must be included with products that require them.
NAPPA staff and judges reserve the right to assign your entry to a different product category or age range
How will my samples be used?
Your samples and any marketing material you include are submitted to our judges and family testers for evaluation. Extra samples may be used for promotional opportunities and charitable donations.
Parenting Resources Competition
Submissions for the Parenting Resources competition can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- pregnancy and parenting books, periodicals and newsletters
- "how-to" parenting CDs, DVDs and Websites for parents of children of all ages.
- maternity, childbirth, breastfeeding and other post-natal products and clothing
- baby gear, such as car safety seats, strollers, carriers, portable cribs, etc.
- baby accessories, such as baby bottles, pacifiers, diaper bags, clothing, etc.
- safety and childproofing products
- room décor and furnishings
- time-saving and labor-saving gadgets
- skill-building and educational products for children of all ages (i.e., babies through teens)
- health & skin care products
- fitness & nutrition
- resources for families with children who have special needs, i.e. Autism, Down Syndrome, etc - products that promote family time and family bonding
Examples of past winners include breastfeeding aids, parenting guides, an all-purpose compact screwdriver, a family life organizing binder, an easy-to-install-and-adjust car safety seat, etc. For more information, refer to What are the judging criteria for NAPPA?
Note: NAPPA cannot accept single entries that weigh more than 100 pounds. Also, NAPPA staff and judges reserve the right to assign your entry to a different product category or age range. If you have any questions regarding the category in which your product best belongs, call NAPPA at 617-284-1417 or email us at NAPPA@Parenthood.com.
Is there any restriction on the release year for entries?
No, there is no restriction on the year of release for NAPPA entries. A product does not need to have a release date for the current year to enter the NAPPA competition. With regard to previous NAPPA winners, a product released with significant new features will be considered a new product: for instance, a new edition of a book with an additional chapter, or an expansion pack on an existing software program.
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How is NAPPA different from other awards programs?
NAPPA has been in existence for more than 20 years and is the most comprehensive and, quite likely, the most selective awards program of its kind. NAPPA’s recognition is more than just a seal of approval: it means that a product has been carefully judged against comparable products and deemed “best in its class” by expert judges, parent and child testers, and product reviewers.
The value of a NAPPA Gold or Honors Award is widely recognized and highly respected within the product industries that NAPPA so stringently evaluates. NAPPA’s judges are independent industry experts who have extensive professional experience working with children and parents, and who utilize input from parents and children. Parents look at NAPPA’s winning results as a valuable shopping guide delivered by familiar and trusted local parenting magazines and websites.
Other ways in which NAPPA differs:
• NAPPA provides winners with great print and online coverage. Gold winners receive editorial coverage in top regional parenting magazines across the country. Both Gold and Honors winners win year-round Web coverage, and get their own Web page on NAPPA.
• NAPPA coverage is a timely shopping list of the best, age-appropriate products for kids and resources for parents. Its coverage reaches more than 4 million parents in top metro markets through more than 45 local parenting magazines in print and digital editions, and on NAPPA.Parenthood.com
• Gold and Honors Winners are included in a marketing piece distributed to major toy and baby product buyers in the United States (Information obtained with permission of Gameplan Europe Ltd, publisher of essential business information for the global toy and baby products industry www.gameplaneurope.com).
• Reasonable entry fees and no hidden fees for winners: NAPPA’s entry fees are among the most reasonable for children’s or parenting products competitions.
• Entrants may be spotlighted in the NAPPA Product Review Blog at no additional charge. The “NAPPA Product Review Blog” is highlighted on the home pages of NAPPA and Parenthood.com.
• Feedback in some categories from NAPPA’s expert judges and parent testers is available at a nominal fee of $85 per entry. Check entry form and “Can I get feedback from the NAPPA judges about my product?” for details about which categories offer professional Feedback.
• Winners include both major manufacturers and small independent companies.
• There are no restrictions on year of release to enter. We feel that a good product is always good. Every year, new parents enter the market and their children grow into the next stage of development so we want to give all parents and children the chance to enjoy your product.
• Entries are accepted throughout the year. All entries must be received by NAPPA by the deadline to be included in that year’s competition, but you don’t have to wait until the deadline to send in your entry! Early entries may be selected for NAPPA’s Product Review Blog.
• NAPPA coverage won the Parenting Publications of America’s Gold Award for Editorial Excellence.
What are the judging criteria for NAPPA?
Children’s Products entries will be judged on:
• physical quality and appearance
• ease of assembly and instructions
• level of entertainment and engagement
• value for price
• educational value
• skill development
• durability
• ability to “grow” with child
• age appropriateness
• safety
• social value (no violence or offensive language)
• family entertainment value (where applicable)
Parenting Resources entries will be judged on:
• how useful, engaging or interesting the product is to the parenting audience
• quality of information/content
• safety
• overall design
• ease of use and overall convenience
• construction of product (as applicable) and durability
• longevity (how long can a family use the product)
How do I submit an online-delivered product?
On your online entry form, please include information explaining where to access the online content (URL, etc.) and whatever user names and/or passwords are required.
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Can I get feedback from the NAPPA judges about my product, whether or not it is a winner?
NAPPA offers feedback in most categories. In Children’s Products: Books, Audio Books & Magazines, DVDs & TV Shows, Virtual and Music and all categories for Parenting Resources.
There is a charge for this service in addition to the applicable entry fee (see appropriate entry form for fee details). This feedback consists of a summary and quotes from judges and testers of what they liked best and least about the product, what recommendations they have for improvement, and reasons why your entry was/was not chosen as a NAPPA winner.
The statements contained within these feedback forms are to be used by the entrant for internal use only. NAPPA does not allow any of its feedback to be quoted or construed as a product endorsement by NAPPA, unless that product has received a NAPPA Gold or NAPPA Honors Award.Which levels of awards does NAPPA offer?
Each NAPPA competition offers Gold Awards (top level winners) and Honors Awards (second level winners).
What are the benefits of winning a NAPPA Gold or Honors award?
- NAPPA delivers information about its winners’ products directly to parents.
- NAPPA’s editorial coverage – whether in print or online – adds credibility to both the product and its company.
- The only way to get editorial coverage in the June, November or December issues of NAPPA’s partner parenting magazines is by being named a NAPPA Gold Winner.
- Gold and Honors Winners are included in a marketing piece distributed to major toy and baby product buyers in the United States (Information obtained with permission of Gameplan Europe Ltd, publisher of essential business information for the global toy and baby products industry www.gameplaneurope.com). (LINK TO http://www.gameplaneurope.com)
- Gold and Honors winners receive a full year of coverage on the NAPPA website.
- Each winner has its own webpage on NAPPA.Parenthood.com, with a product description and judge comments and a link to your company’s site.
- NAPPA recognition goes beyond a seal of approval: it means that a product has been judged against comparable products and deemed “best in its class” by expert judges, parent and child testers, and product reviewers.
- The value of a NAPPA Gold or Honors Award is widely recognized and highly respected within the children and parenting product industries.
- Parents look at NAPPA’s winning results as a valuable shopping guide delivered by familiar and trusted local parenting magazines and websites.
Here’s what NAPPA Gold award winners receive:
• Attention-getting coverage in more than 45+ regional parenting magazines in top metro markets nationwide, reaching more than 4.2 million parents.
• Conveniently timed print coverage of NAPPA Children’s Products winners in November and December issues, capturing parents’ attention as they enter the holiday-shopping mode. Coverage of NAPPA Parenting Resources winners appears in June or July issues.
• A full year of front-and-center coverage on NAPPAawards.com, a highly respected, content-rich parenting Web site and active online community that attracts nearly a quarter-million unique visitors each month.
• Promotion of winners in national media, specific product industry outlets, and in additional themed product round-ups provided to parenting publications.
NAPPA Honors award winners receive:
• A full year of front-and-center coverage on NAPPA.Parenthood.com, a highly respected, content-rich parenting Web site and active online community that attracts nearly a quarter-million unique visitors each month.
• Promotion of winners to national media, specific product industry outlets, and in additional themed product round-ups provided to parenting publications.
What’s the difference between Gold and Honors awards?
Gold Award winners (top tier winners) are featured in NAPPA print coverage, on NAPPAAwards.com and on Parenthood.com. Honors Award winners (second tier winners) are featured on NAPPAAwards.com and Parenthood.com. Print coverage of Gold winners also directs readers to the Honors coverage online.
How and when are NAPPA entrants notified of the results?
NAPPA Children’s Products winners are notified by email or phone between by October 1st of the year of entry. NAPPA Parenting Resources winners are notified by email or phone April 1st.
All Gold and Honors winners will receive an official winner’s packet with an award certificate, promotional suggestions and seal information shortly after notification.
All entrants will notified of the results via e-mail. We regret that we cannot notify non-winning entrants individually.
All NAPPA Children’s Product winners will be featured for one year on NAPPAAwards.com as of November 1. All NAPPA Parenting Resources winners will be featured for one year on NAPPAAwards.com as of June 1.
When and where does NAPPA coverage appear?
Coverage of NAPPA Gold Award-winning Children’s Products appears in the November and/or December issues of more than 30 regional parenting publications (NAPPA Editorial Partners) in top metro markets nationwide – just in time for the gift-buying season. Both Gold and Honors winners enjoy front-and-center coverage at NAPPAAwards.com beginning Nov. 1.
NAPPA Gold Award-winning Parenting Resources are presented to parents and parents-to-be in the June or July issues of approximately 30 regional parenting publications (NAPPA Editorial Partners). Both Gold and Honors winners reap the benefits of coverage at NAPPAAwards.com, starting June 1, and readers are directed to the coverage throughout the year by editorial references in regional parenting publications.How long is my product considered a NAPPA winner?
For "tangible" products, "once a NAPPA winner, always a NAPPA winner" as long as the design and content remain the same, and the quality of materials, manufacturing process and safety standards are upheld. If a winning product is later re-released with significant new features, it will be considered a new product (and should be re-entered into the competition to qualify for a NAPPA seal). For example, a new edition of a book with an additional chapter or an expansion pack on an existing software program would make that product eligible for re-entry as a new product.
In the case of "evolving" product winners – such as websites, magazines, newsletters, etc. – these winners may display their award seal for a full year: Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 of the competition year for Children’s Products winners and June 1 – May 31 of the competition year for Parenting Resources winners. Winners who wish to continue using the NAPPA seal beyond that point, or to reference their product as a current NAPPA winner, need to submit their product again for judging.
Does it cost to use the NAPPA seal?
There is a reasonable charge to purchase self-stick seals to affix to packaging and printed marketing materials. However, winners are under no obligation to purchase sticker seals. There are no hidden costs associated with winning a NAPPA award.
How do I order award seals?
Once you have been notified that your product has won, you will receive an email confirmation of your award and an order form for preprinted self-stick seals along with a link to order directly online. Winners are urged to order seals in advance of trade shows and to display their NAPPA seal to brand their product as a NAPPA Gold or Honors Award winner.
How did NAPPA come about?
NAPPA has been in existence for more than 20 years! The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) was founded by L.A. Parent magazine in 1990. The Children’s Products division of NAPPA was designed to help parents make the best, most age-appropriate choices in children’s books, toys, music, DVDs, software and spoken-word recordings for their children, from newborn to adolescents. In 1998, the Parenting Resources division was added to provide parents with a filtered list of the best products to help raise and educate themselves and their children. NAPPA is now owned and administered by Dominion Media (DM) and NAPPA coverage is featured in DM magazines, as well as dozens of independent parenting magazines nationwide.
What is Dominion Media?
Dominion Media (DM) is a division of Dominion Enterprises Inc. DM publishes eight award-winning regional parenting magazines in markets ranging from Los Angeles to Boston. These free publications are distributed where parents live, work and play – through local libraries, private schools, preschools, hospitals, doctors’ offices, museums and specialty retailers. DM’s monthly print circulation is nearly 1 million, with an audited nationwide readership of about 2 million. DM also owns and operates the award-winning Parenthood.com Website.
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What is Dominion Enterprises?
Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 40 market-leading websites reaching more than 17.6 million unique visitors monthly, and more than 280 magazines with a weekly circulation of 2.4 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 4,900 employees in more than 186 offices nationwide. For more information, visit www.dominionenterprises.com.
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What if I still have questions?
Please email nappa@parenthood.com.