The Jack Award

The Jack Award, named for its first recipient, Jack McClelland in 1993, honours an individual within the Canadian publishing industry or media, who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Canadian authors and books. The annual award is presented by the Book Promoters' Association of Canada.

Award for Promotional Excellence (APE)

In 1997, the Book Promoters' Association of Canada (BPAC) established an annual award named the Award for Promotional Excellence (or "APE", as in "guerrilla" marketing) to recognize the contribution publicists and marketers, long the unsung heroes, make to a book's success.

There are two APE awards given by the Association. The first is for freelance members only and is given for significant contribution to the media exposure of a particular title. The second award is given to the marketing department, including freelance publicists, of a publishing house. This award is given for an entire marketing campaign which includes advertising, personal appearances, media exposure and point of sale material. 

Email us at bookpromoters@gmail.com for 2007-2008 submission deadlines.

IN-HOUSE AWARD
For an entire marketing campaign which includes advertising, personal appearances, media exposure, point of sale material, and any other pertinent marketing efforts. All houses that have at least one BPAC member are eligible. Nominations can be made by any BPAC member, but must be made in co-operation with the house. A maximum of three campaigns per house may be submitted.

Submission Requirements: Please submit three copies of each nomination, one for each of the three judges.

Proposals should include the following:

A. A short summary:

•The team leader, team members, book title and budget
•The scope of the campaign materials created
(in the case of a distributed title, please detail materials obtained from the originating house).
•Freelance publicists used
•Challenges presented by the author, the proposed timeline
the particular dates that were set, or any other challenges presented
•Any acts of heroism performed by any member of the team

Please do not exceed two pages in length. And please note: the budget figure must be included or nomination will be considered invalid.

B. A detailed marketing plan: Including plans for speaking engagements and other public appearances, advertising, bookstore events, point of sale materials, media tour schedules and any other marketing plans.

C. Copies of all materials

D. Copies of all final media schedules

E. Copy of the catalogue page

F. Any other item supporting a claim to excellence

FREELANCE PUBLICIST'S AWARD
For significant contribution to the media exposure of a particular title or campaign. All freelance publicists who are BPAC members are eligible and nominations can come from any author, member of the media or BPAC member. Self-nominations are welcome. A maximum of three titles or campaigns may be nominated by any one individual.

Submission requirements: Please submit three copies of each nomination, one for each of the three judges. Proposals should include the following:

A. A short summary: 

• Title, author, publishing house.
• Who within the house assigned the title?
• City of operation
• Timeline (date the project was assigned, when books and press material were received, when books were sent out, date of media day.)
• Level of involvement of the originating publisher (what did they do to support or direct your efforts?)
• Materials provided by the house.
• Materials created by the freelance publicist
•Challenges presented by the author, the proposed timeline, the particular dates that were set, or any other challenges presented.
•Any acts of heroism that were necessary or thrust upon the freelance publicist.

(Please do not exceed one page in length.)

B. A copy of all materials.

C. The final media schedule

D. A copy of the Publisher's catalogue page

E. Any other item that supports your claim to excellence

THE JUDGES
There will be two separate juries with three judges each. The jury for the In-House Award will consist of one member of the media, one publishing professional and a publicist (in-house or freelance) who is also a BPAC member. The jury for the Freelance Publicist's Award will consist of one member of the media, a publishing professional, and one in-house publicist who is also a BPAC member. The awards co-ordinator will submit the six names to the BPAC executive for approval along with alternative judges.

THE AWARDS CO-ORDINATOR
The past president of BPAC will co-ordinate the awards. If that individual is unable, for any reason, to perform these duties, the executive shall elect another executive member to act as awards co-ordinator. The co-ordinator is responsible for promoting the awards to BPAC members, obtaining and co-ordinating all submissions, submitting names of judges, liasing with the judges and the BPAC executive, obtaining the shortlist in a timely manner, promoting the shortlist to the media, and presenting the award on behalf of BPAC to the recipients.

Complete submission packages should be sent to:

The Book Promoters Association of Canada
Attn: APE Awards
Hudson's Bay Postal Outlet, The Wicket
20 Bloor St. E, P.O. Box 75114
Toronto, ON M4W 3T3