Magazines Canada and the Circulation Management Association of Canada (CMC) announced today the Canadian Cover Awards, slated to take place at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown on Feb. 26, 2013. The Canadian Cover Awards evolved from the Canadian Newsstand Awards, launched in 2002, and is the result of a collaboration launched October between CMC and Magazines Canada.

The previous Canadian Newsstand Awards was a partnership between Masthead, CMC and HDS Retail (now LS Travel).

"It is a privilege to be part of this new venture alongside Magazines Canada, a tribute to the excellence in our industry," said CMC president Tony Danas in a release.

Like the Canadian Newsstand Awards, the Canadian Cover Awards will recognize successful magazine covers with consideration of newsstand sales numbers and cover design/lines. Half an entry's score will be determined by single copy sales figures and the other half by a panel of industry judges including a retailer, a wholesaler, a circ director, a national distributor and an art director. Newsstand Marketer of the Year will also be awarded.

The submission process opens Jan. 7 and closes Jan. 25. Entries can be submitted online. A single entry costs $95, same as before with the Newsstand Awards, but costs for multiple entries are now reduced at $75 for a second entry and $55 for each addition after that.

Eligible magazines can be English- or French-language, and must have single copies sold in Canada and contain a minimum average of 80% Canadian editorial (written and/or edited by Canadians in Canada).

The Canadian Cover Awards are sponsored by Masthead, Covers Sell, K9 Design Co., LS Travel, and the Alliance for Audited Media. For more info including a full list of categories, visit the Canadian Cover Awards website.