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A deep dive into the 2025 Worldwide Digital Media Awards winners
The 2025 edition of the Worldwide Digital Media Awards winners list features an even spread of entries from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America – showcasing a truly global wave of digital innovation in journalism.
WAN-IFRA has announced the winners of the 2025 Digital Media Awards Worldwide, recognising the most innovative and impactful digital media projects from around the globe. Each entry showcases the ambition and creativity of our industry, highlighting its resilience and commitment to serving audiences in meaningful ways – even in the most challenging environments.
The 674 projects submitted for this year’s competition represent outstanding work from across five key regions: South Asia, APAC, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
The results were made public during the Digital Media Awards Gala at the World News Media Congress 2025 in Kraków, Poland.
“While we talk a lot about the challenges facing news publishers, WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Awards are an opportunity to spotlight exciting innovations around the world,” said Vincent Peyrègne, WAN-IFRA CEO. “The winners of our international competition are living proof that the news media is on the rise. There is a lot to be learned from these inspiring projects.”
The judges, made up of an international jury of distinguished media experts, gave weight to effective strategies, with a strong commitment to a journalism that informs, engages, and serves communities around the world.
The 2025 Digital Media Awards Worldwide Winners
BEST USE OF AI IN THE NEWSROOM
Así nos habló Milei: 9 trucos del relato libertario para construir un nuevo sentido común (Thus spoke Milei: 9 deceits of the libertarian narrative to construct a new common sense) – La Nación, Argentina
This groundbreaking investigation by La Nación uses artificial intelligence to dissect the rhetoric of Argentina’s President Javier Milei across his first year in office. By processing 142 speeches and interviews, totalling 89 hours of audio, LA NACION was able to present an insightful political analysis with impact. Key to this was the combination of technology, artificial intelligence, quantitative data and design. The findings reveal the disruptive logic with which Mileii intends to transform Argentina. The article received 50,000 page views, attracted an average reading time of over two minutes, and led to new subscriber conversions. The piece drew further attention across various television and radio programmes, where it was praised for its originality as an unconventional but in-depth analysis of Milei’s first year in office. Watch the summary video.
The jury said:
“This use of AI enabled a level of depth and precision that only the combination of advanced technology and journalistic rigour can deliver. Its implementation clearly contributed to a more impactful and insightful form of journalism.”
BEST DATA VISUALISATION
After a deadly high-rise fire in Valencia, Spain, Reuters sought to uncover why and how flammable cladding contributed to the blaze, and what lessons from London’s cladding-fuelled Grenfell Tower fire seven years earlier have been missed in Europe. Given the lack of a central database on fires in high-rise buildings with flammable cladding, Reuters investigated by reviewing fire reports, consulting experts, and conducting safety experiments. The team traced building materials through various stakeholders and used advanced visual techniques such as 3D reconstructions and scroll-driven animations. Exclusive footage from Imperial College London and fire simulations helped illustrate the risks of the “stay put” strategy. Access the investigation.
The jury said:
“This is an outstanding investigation. The data visualisations are seamlessly woven into the narrative and are exceptionally well developed. They are both innovative and effective, enhancing the depth of the journalistic research. The phenomenon is clearly explained from the individual tree to the entire forest. A truly excellent piece of work.”
BEST NEWS WEBSITE OR RELAUNCH OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS
FAZ.NET – Relaunch – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany
FAZ.NET underwent a complete redesign, intent on transforming into a next-generation news platform that seamlessly converted first-time visitors into loyal readers and paying subscribers, all while delivering a superior user experience. They achieved this by combining user-specific advertising, content recommendations, and paywall management – all dynamically tailored based on user needs, time, and location.
Key innovations include interaction-based user clustering, flicker-free server-side personalisation, and real-time homepage customisation. The results: faster load times, higher engagement, and improved subscription conversions. By shifting personalisation to the server side and integrating dynamic solutions throughout the platform, FAZ.NET has set a new standard for scalable, data-driven news experiences. Take a closer look.
The jury said:
“This is an impressive approach to a website redesign, especially because it focused on the use of technology to create an exceptional user experience. Quality content and their dedication to serving the needs of their readers are a powerful combination, and it shows in the way this website is thoughtfully built and organised.”
BEST NEWSLETTER
How to Become a Millionaire – The Telegraph, United Kingdom
The How to Become a Millionaire project is designed to help readers navigate this new financial world. Launched amid political and economic uncertainty in the UK, the six-week course breaks down personal finance topics like budgeting, investing, pensions and tax into actionable advice, presented with warmth, clarity, and a touch of wit. The series stands out for its interactive approach, including real-life participation from the Telegraph’s own journalists, fostering a sense of community and accountability. With high engagement and conversion rates, the project not only educated readers but also reinforced The Telegraph’s reputation for trustworthy financial expertise. View it here.
The jury said: “Among the many newsletters produced by newspapers,’Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” stands out for its originality. Presented as a six-week email course on personal finance, it moves beyond service journalism to become a smart educational tool. It identifies a real-world concern and offers a practical, well-structured solution. The content is rich with actionable advice and cleverly ties into the newspaper’s evergreen material in a thoughtful and strategic way.”
BEST DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION/READER REVENUE PROJECT
“SCMP Plus” – South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, China
In June 2024, the South China Morning Post launched SCMP Plus, a new premium news platform aimed at business leaders and China watchers. As well as reiterating SCMP’s position as a global leader for insights into China, SCMP Plus was used to effectively acquire, retain, and upsell subscribers, generating revenue by providing increased value for those subscribers seeking world-class expertise, insight and analysis on China-centric topics.
The service offers exclusive newsletters like The Daily Pulse; early access to expert opinion pieces; interactive data visualisations, and subscriber-only events. With strong engagement metrics and positive feedback from readers, SCMP Plus has successfully attracted and retained a premium audience while strengthening SCMP’s brand as a global authority on China. Learn more about the project
The jury said:
“SCMP has developed a long-term strategy with its new subscription model, offering useful services to readers such as quick reads, in-depth analysis, forward-looking content, and personalisation. The experience allows for smooth navigation between the main site, the premium content behind the paywall, and the ePaper sections. A successful launch – congratulations to the team!”
BEST USE OF AI IN REVENUE STRATEGY
“The triple impact of AI: Boosting revenue through advertising, newsroom innovation, and platform engagement” – United Daily News, Taiwan
United Daily News went under a significant transformation, leveraging AI-driven strategies to enhance its revenue streams. Focusing on three core areas: targeted advertising, content curation, and recommendation systems, these strategies were underpinned by a robust data ecosystem that integrated information from the CMS, websites, apps, newsletters, CRM systems, and most importantly, audience behavior. By synchronizing data across these platforms, UDN ensured seamless operations and a comprehensive understanding of its audience. The results speak for themselves: an over 200 percent boost in ad click-through rates, a 200 percent increase in article conversions through curated content, and a 120 percent rise in article scroll depth. Their advanced recommendation engine, powered by algorithms and collaborative filtering, also achieved a 200 percent increase in CTR among loyal users, all supported by a scalable cloud-based infrastructure. You can check the video of this project on this link.
The Jury said:
“UDN’s AI rollout was systematic and transformative, bringing cultural change not only to the editorial side but also across revenue generation, operational efficiency, and user experience.”
BEST FACT-CHECKING PROJECT
“Promesas Chequeadas: qué dicen los datos sobre el cumplimiento de los compromisos asumidos por Milei ante el electorado (Checked promises: the data on Milei’s promises to the electorate)” – Chequeado, Argentina
Promesas Chequeadas 2024 is an accountability initiative that tracks whether Argentine President Javier Milei is fulfilling his campaign promises. Since 2016 Chequeado has applied this methodology to each government’s four-year term. In the 2024 edition, they analysed Milei’s promises since taking office in December 2023. In its first week, it reached over one million people and was widely cited by media and experts, becoming a vital tool for holding President Milei accountable, offering verified information on his campaign promises. By combining fact-checking with accessible formats, the project has sparked informed debate, encouraged citizen engagement, and reinforced the role of transparency in a healthy democracy while encouraging critical thinking and evidence-based debate, a much-needed resource in a context where polarization and misinformation can distort public discourse. Here is the video explaining the project.
The jury said:
“Chequeado follows a clearly structured fact-checking methodology. The initiative effectively extends the debate beyond its own platform and into social media, encouraging users to share verified content. This is a strong and deliberate effort to promote audience engagement and participation.”
BEST USE OF VIDEO
“VG’s Video Revolution: How We Redefined US Election Coverage” – Verdens Gang (VG), Norway
In an increasingly polarized media landscape, where younger audiences primarily consume news through social media, VG wanted to ensure its journalism resonated broadly and fostered a shared understanding of events. For the biggest news event of the year, where all eyes were on the US elections, VG wanted to make sure young users were able to understand and engage with the news as deeply as possible. Breaking away from traditional TV-style election coverage, they reinvented live video reporting with a mobile-first, interactive experience. The project introduced vertical live-streaming with split-screen technology, real-time audience interaction, and a new reporting style. The format allowed users to comment and ask questions live, making election night coverage dynamic and participatory. The results were remarkable: a 500% growth in weekly video views, 400% increase in daily users, and double the engagement rates compared to traditional video formats. 50% of comments came from users under 34, setting a new standard for interactive, mobile-first journalism. You can check the video of this project on this link.
The jury said:
“A brilliant redesign of mobile broadcasting that not only breaks new ground but also delivers strong results in audience satisfaction. Bravo! It will be interesting to see whether other broadcasters follow this example. VG has clearly set a new course!.
BEST IN AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
“Premios Somos 2024” – Grupo El Comercio, Peru
At the end of 2023 El Comercio faced a steep decline in unique users from previous years. 53% of them were casual visitors who engaged minimally with the platform. In 2024, the Audience Team at El Comercio, in collaboration with the Editorial Team, set the objective of transforming anonymous readers into engaged, registered users by leveraging their strong connection to Peruvian gastronomy. Inspired by the deep connection Peruvians have with their cuisine and the editorial content of Somos magazine, they launched the Premios Somos campaign to drive engagement with an interactive voting platform where readers selected their favorites across 42 categories, recognizing the leading figures in Peru’s gastronomy. Supported by a 360° strategy across digital, print, and social channels (including personalized onboarding and remarketing), the initiative generated over 51,000 new registered users, boosted engagement by 200%, and culminated in a live gala event celebrating Peru’s rich gastronomic heritage. Here is the video of the project.
The jury said:
“From a measurement perspective, this campaign directly addressed the sharp decline in audience numbers between 2022 and 2023. Its goal was not only to recover lost users but also to build loyalty through registration and engagement, using Premios Somos as a catalyst. By highlighting Peru’s vibrant culinary scene, the team effectively targeted reader frequency, conversion, and long-term retention.”
BEST INNOVATIVE DIGITAL PRODUCT
“Manifesto MAYHEM!” – Daily Maverick, South Africa
Manifesto MAYHEM! was a project that aimed to transform the way political manifestos were consumed and understood in the run-up to the 2024 South African national elections. Recognising that traditional manifestos are dense, jargon-laden, and widely ignored, the project aimed to make election information engaging, accessible, and highly shareable, without compromising depth or credibility. With this in mind, Daily Maverick reinvented the presentation of political manifestos to voters. Manifesto MAYHEM! turned dense party platforms into playful, game-inspired collectible cards, summarizing key promises on critical issues like jobs, energy, and crime. Designed for shareability on WhatsApp and social media, the campaign reached diverse audiences, especially young and first-time voters, making credible election information as viral and accessible as the misinformation it seeks to counter. The result: a fresh, engaging approach to civic education and democratic participation. Check the project here.
The jury said:
“There is a lot to celebrate about this innovative digital product. For starters, the audience-first focus is inspiring. Through non-traditional storytelling and compelling design, they provide readers with an invitation to engage with their content. On the surface, the concept appears simple. But that’s exactly the point; take a complex subject like politics and make it digestible, accessible, relatable, and shareable. Way to go!.”
BEST DIGITAL ADVERTISING PRODUCT/INITIATIVE
“The Hindu Made of Chennai” – The Hindu, India
The Hindu ‘Made of Chennai’ (MoC) campaign redefined content marketing with its city-wide celebration of Chennai’s 385th birthday. In its second edition, this 40-day celebration unified diverse communities, enhanced brand affinity and rekindled pride through an eclectic mix of experiences that resonated with audiences across platforms. The campaign featured a blend of activities tailored to reflect Chennai’s culture and interests, building on the successes of the first edition with live concerts, photography contests and quizzes, while introducing new experiences such as art exhibitions, stand-up comedy shows, social impact initiatives and more. The project transformed local pride into meaningful audience connection and advertising success. Here is the video of the project.
The jury said:
“The Made of Chennai campaign is a standout example of originality and forward-thinking, transforming civic pride into a multi-platform community celebration. By blending emotional storytelling with cultural events, celebrity-driven reels, and long-form narratives, it fostered deep civic engagement and digital innovation. The ‘Life in a Day of Chennai’ theme served as a compelling emotional and creative anchor. The campaign delivered a fully integrated, 360-degree experience through a mix of print, digital, social media, video, radio, ambient media, and on-ground events, connecting meaningfully with a wide range of audiences.”
BEST USE OF AUDIO OR PODCAST
“Necesito Poder Respirar: La Vida de Jorge González” – Podium Podcast – PRISA MEDIA, Chile
This compelling podcast series tells the story of Chilean music icon Jorge González, using rare archival recordings and immersive sound design. The series was sparked by the discovery of ten previously unreleased cassette tapes containing the most extensive interview González ever gave, revealing deeply personal reflections on his childhood, politics, addiction, and the breakup of Los Prisioneros. Built on this rare material, the production team conducted over 30 interviews, sifted through hundreds of hours of archival footage, and uncovered exclusive recordings. The result is an immersive narrative that blends testimony, historical documentation, and original sound design, connecting intimately with the artist’s music. The podcast launched with weekly episodes and a strong media and social media campaign, quickly becoming the most-listened-to show in Chile, surpassing 700,000 streams in its first month, holding a spot in Spotify’s top 3, and being listed among the 10 best Spanish-language podcasts of 2024 by El País.
The jury said:
“It is a truly impressive production. An excellent narrative enhanced by immersive sound design, this podcast seamlessly integrates interviews and a compelling story arc that keeps listeners fully engaged from start to finish. The team worked with a powerful, deeply human story, told with the depth and structure of an investigation, which makes it even more compelling.”
This year’s winners reflect the power of creativity and technology to elevate journalism and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. As the industry continues to evolve, WAN-IFRA remains committed to supporting media professionals who innovate with purpose and integrity.
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JURORS
Raquel González
Deputy Director, Busines Development and Special Projects
raquel.gonzalez@wan-ifra.org
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, is the global organisation of the world’s press. Its mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. We provide our members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. It derives its authority from its global network of 3,000 news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs, and its legitimacy from its 40 member publisher associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries.