The award categories were Best Reader Engagement for its coverage of the World Chess Championship and Best Outstanding New Product for godt.no.
“I’m extremely proud on VG’s behalf. This is further proof that we are up there with the digital leaders. That’s where we are now, and that’s where we intend to stay. We will develop new products and deliver services of world-class standard. Winning these two awards is a great honor for the entire media house,” says Espen Langfeldt Olsen, Managing Editor of VG.
The jury’s citation for the Best Reader Engagement award reads: “A very high standard of work, and a comprehensive strategy for integrating numerous elements that generated considerable reader engagement and a powerful viral buzz in social media.”
“I’m both humbled and inspired by this award. It’s fun to see that we created something that appeals to people and engages them. We tried to translate something mystical into an understandable narrative without compromising the complexity of it. Much of its success is probably down to VGTV and its broadcasting, how they managed to focus not only on what was going on in the game itself but also around it, and on the personalities. It’s been a good partnership,” says Henrik Odiin, editorial project manager.
VG’s chess coverage has already carried off awards at the Nordic Media Festival, the European Digital Awards in London, and at the Schibsted Journalism Awards for Best Innovation.