The 2014 National Print Awards truly marked the end of an era, as next year's award season is now set to take on a very different flavour. The state-based Printing Industries Craftsmanship Awards (PICAs) have been canned in light of dwindling numbers and decline in sponsorships, with the NPAs reverting to a direct entry model for the 2015 Awards.
The decision came off the back of a comprehensive review of the awards system undertaken late last year by Stephen Anstice, former CEO of IPMG. Facing industry-wide rationalisation, Printing Industries has laid down the law in a bid preserve the Awards' ongoing relevance and viability. With events already scheduled the WA, Tasmania and Queensland PICAs will still go ahead, but Printing Industries CEO Bill Healey confirms that to maintain a fair playing field companies in these state will also be eligible for direct entry to the NPAs.
Healey goes on to explain that the national award categories will also be overhauled to better represent the changes in technology and industry culture. An initial list of the new categories will be drawn up and be available for entrants by August 2014.
"A new subcommittee of Printing Industries, chaired by deputy president Susan Heaney and including external industry representatives will be formed to oversee the awards and to work with the chairman of judges to select judges, review categories annually and manage the judging process," said Healey.
The review submitted by Anstice did recommend that the distinction between digital and offset process categories continue, with additional digital categories added to mark its increased prevalence. The jury is still out on the future of the business awards, or whether they might be spun off into a separate event. Emphasis throughout will remain on print quality.