The first crop of finalists in the 2011 Canadian Online Publishing Awards includes 68 online and digital titles, ranging from large newspaper, magazine and broadcaster groups to new online-only operations.

A second group of finalists in remaining categories will be released later this week; visit Masthead or watch our Twitter feed @Mastheadmag.

So far, CBCNews.ca is leading the pack with six nominations, followed by Sparksheet and The Globe and Mail with five each, and Cyberpresse with four. Several other titles have multiple nominations.

COPA winners will be announced Monday, Oct. 24 at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Online event registration will be opened shortly.

This year, the awards ceremony will be preceded by a new one-day conference for editorial-based digital publishers, also at the Gladstone Hotel. COPA+ will feature keynote presentations, panel sessions, networking events and a vendor market. Click here for more information.

Finalists listed in alphabetical order
More finalists in remaining categories to be released later this week

BEST COMPANION WEB SITE
Red Division (Consumer Magazines) Blue Division (B-to-B Magazines) Green Division (Newspapers/Broadcasters)
BEST WEB DESIGN
Red Division (Consumer Magazines) Blue Division (B-to-B Magazines) Green Division (Newspaper/Broadcasters)
BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Red Division (Consumer Magazines) Blue Division (B-to-B Magazines) Green Division (Newspaper/Broadcasters)
BEST ONLINE-ONLY ARTICLE OR SERIES
Red Division (Consumer Magazines) Blue Division (B-to-B Magazines) Green Division (Newspaper/Broadcasters)
BEST E-NEWSLETTER
Red Division (Consumer Magazines) Blue Division (B-to-B Magazines)
BEST SMARTPHONE APP
All divisions
BEST MOBILE-OPTIMIZED SITE
All divisions
BEST DIGITAL EDITION (Replica)
All divisions
BEST TABLET APP
All divisions