
Have Questions About Entering?
Join us on Sept. 29 at noon PT for a Q&A Webinar Register for the WebinarAbout the Awards
Everyone knows the media industry is critical in informing and serving our local communities. And we want to ensure that the companies and individuals within those organizations get the recognition they deserve! Through the Best of the West Media Awards, media companies of all shapes and sizes, individual employees, and aspiring media students in the Western U.S. have an opportunity to be acknowledged for their excellence in media and service to their communities.
This year, entrants will vie for a Best of the West Media Award in twenty categories designed to acknowledge company, individual, and student contributions. Everyone has a chance to win, from large-market media giants to small-town local shops. The competition is purposefully built for media organizations of all types, ensuring that outlets in different markets compete against those of similar sizes.
The competition will be open for entries beginning on September 14, 2022. Be sure to take advantage of the early bird entry fees available through October 15, 2022.
We can’t wait to see who will be honored this year! Please enter below!
Company Awards
Individual Awards
Student Awards
Info & Rules
View and download the 2022 Competition Rules.
Schedule
- Competition Opens: September 14, 2022
- Competition Deadline: October 31, 2022 (Note early bird pricing ends Oct. 15)
- Judging Period: November 4-14, 2022
- Winners Announced: November 30, 2022
Entry Fees
Company & Individual Entry:
- Early Bird Price (through Oct. 15) $45
- Regular Price $55
Student Entry:
- Early Bird Price (through Oct. 15) $35
- Regular Price $45
Award Boundaries
The Award boundaries will mirror the American Advertising Federation Western Region boundaries which includes the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the El Paso market area of Texas.
Promote
Access our promotional resources page for tips and tools for sharing the Best of the West Media Awards competition in your local market area. Thank you for your support.

Company Awards
Given to companies or organizations for excellence in media and service to the community

Radio Broadcaster of the Year
- Large Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 1-50)
- Mid-size Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 51-100)
- Small Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 101+)

Television Broadcaster of the Year
- Large Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 1-50)
- Mid-Size Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 51 – 100)
- Small Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 101+)

Newspaper of the Year
- Print Circulation 200,000 or more
- Print Circulation 50,000 – 200,000
- Print Circulation Under 50,000

Outdoor Company of the Year
- Large Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 1-50)
- Mid-Size Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 51 – 100)
- Small Market (Nielsen Markets Ranking 101+)

Magazine of the Year

Website of the Year

Blog/Podcast of the Year

Advertising Agency of the Year
- Over $50 million in billing
- $10 million to $50 million in billing
- Under $10 million in billing

Media Agency of the Year
- Over $50 million in billing
- $10 million to $50 million in billing
- Under $10 million in billing

Governmental Media Outlet of the Year
- Radio/TV/Internet

Locally-produced radio or television show of the Year

Public Service Campaign or Event of the Year

Best Coverage of a local news story of the Year
Individual Awards
Given to individuals for excellence in media and service to the community

Media Professional of the Year

Media Talent of the Year

Agency Professional of the Year

Young Achiever of the Year
Student Awards
Given to individual students and student media clubs/organizations for excellence in media and service to the community.

Best College Media Outlet of the Year
- Radio, TV, or Newspaper

Best College Website/Blog of the Year
