ACES: The Society for Editing is pleased to announce the 2021 National Headline Contest winners. The organization’s premier contest aims to reward exceptional headline writing in all types of media, from newspapers to social networks.
Individual winners in professional categories won between $75 and $300, and individual winners in student categories won between $50 and $125. The winners each submitted multiple headlines. The complete list of winners and a sampling of headlines are below.
2021 HEADLINE CONTEST WINNERS
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Industry or Public Relations
- 1st: Martin Henderson, Over The Top Marketing, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “An Easy Answer for Vertigo That Will Make Your Head Spin”
- 2nd: James Tehrani, Sphera Solutions, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Dinosaurs 2.0? Not If We Get to Work on Sustainability Issues Now”
- 3rd: Samantha Chaney, Mad Men Marketing, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “When You Can’t Keep Mold On A Leash: How Exposure Impacts Your Pets”
- Honorable Mention: Jaime Brockway, Freelancer, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “The Key to Living With More Spontaneity Is Planning Ahead”
National News Organization
- 1st: Wendy Fawthrop, Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “This film is Cage at his most Cage-y”
- 2nd: Dave Bowman, Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Thin Mints on your phone? Enable those cookies”
- 3rd: Sean Ernst, The New York Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “In Riverside Park, Bleating Around the Bushes”
- Honorable Mention: Mark Olson, Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Buying a yacht? Might have to skip 'er”
Regional/Local News Organization
- 1st: Phil Cornell, NJ Advance Media, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “She wants a sundae kind of love”
- 2nd: Amanda Erd, Daily Herald Media Group, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Can’t let this one slide”
- 3rd: Khari Williams, CQ Roll Call, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “A pay raise? Aides aren’t banking on it”
STAFF AWARDS
Industry or Public Relations
- 1st: Over The Top Marketing, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Adopting a Shelter Dog: Unleash Healthy Benefits That Are Mutual”
- 2nd: Guerrero, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Mover, Shaker, Mask-Maker”
- 3rd: AFCEA/SIGNAL Magazine, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Army Brings Space Capabilities Down to Earth”
- Honorable Mention: Military Officers Association of America, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Now Sea Here”
National News Organization
- 1st: The New York Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Sawing Someone in Half Never Gets Old. Even at 100.”
- 2nd: Christianity Today, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “The Devil Is (and Isn’t) in the Details”
- 3rd: Minneapolis Star Tribune, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Celestial etch a sketch”
Regional/Local News Organization
- 1st: The Dallas Morning News, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “If you see locusts, better hide”
- 2nd: Omaha World-Herald, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Curd it get any better? Friday is the day to celebrate fried cheese”
- 3rd: CQ Roll Call/FiscalNote, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “At the Races: Debt the Halls”
Student Publication
- 1st: The Baylor Lariat, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “You have a lot on your plate - make sure food is on there too”
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Headline Contest. Start collecting headlines now for next year’s contest!
Headline Contest
