Manitoba magazines got their due as the inaugural Manitoba Magazine Awards (Maggies) were given out on Friday as part of the annual Magazines Weekend Conference in Winnipeg. The Beaver, the province's oldest title (established in 1920), was named magazine of the year, a capper to a great year for the Canadian history book, which, among other accomplisments, posted record-breaking newsstand sales for every issue throughout the 2008 calendar year. The magazine also took home the awards for best editorial package and best regular column or feature (written by Chris Moore).

Other winners on the night:

• Best Initiative (recognizing ancillary activities that build the magazine's brand): Winnipeg Men for "Test Drive"
• Most Innovative Marketing Initiative (recognizing achievement and creativity in marketing and promotion of a magazine): Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids
• Most Effective Web Activity (for a website, online event, contest, or social networking initiative): Outwords
• Most Effective Use of Words: Prairie Fire for "Animalia"
• Best Cover: Prairie Fire for "Atwood"

Manitoba Magazines also launched a new program for Red River Community College students in the Creative Communications program.

Students work on a magazine concept over several weeks developing a business plan as well as a prototype for a new magazine. The Association will contribute $1500 annually in prizing for the top student projects.

This year's student award recipients were: Bonnie Seidel, Gina Nasuti, Emily Baron Cardloff and Sean Ledwich for Packrat: A Backpacking Magazine.

Finalists were:

• Rachel Hawryluk, Shayna Wiweirski;, Erica Zawadowski, Matt Prepost and Thor Blondal for Quarkz: a magazine about quirky people and things.
• Mitchell Clinton, Melanie Fatouros, Rheanne Marcoux and Kalen Qually for Sugarthread: a magazine about candy.