The Mobile News Awards recognise the organisations, initiatives and individuals driving progress across the mobile and channel ecosystem. Central to this recognition is a judging process designed to be independent, rigorous and trusted by the industry.

This page outlines how entries are evaluated and how award decisions are reached. Independent Judging All awards are determined solely on the merit of the entries submitted.

Our judging panel is made up of senior industry figures with extensive experience across the mobile landscape. Judges are selected for their expertise, objectivity and ability to assess submissions in the context of current market dynamics.

Commercial relationships  including sponsorship, advertising, partnerships or event participation —play no role in the judging process.

Our Judges

Each year we bring together a diverse panel with deep kmnowledge  of the mobile ecosystem. Their collective insight helps ensure that entries are evaluated thoughtfully and fairly. To maintain fresh perspectives, the composition of the panel is changed for each awards year.

Managing Conflicts of Interest

Integrity and fairness are fundamental to the awards. Judges are required to declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest and do not evaluate entries where such a conflict exists. Where necessary, submissions are reassigned to ensure a balanced and impartial review.

Entries are reviewed against the published category criteria using a structured scoring framework. Judges consider a range of factors, including:

Measurable impact

Innovation

Execution

Commercial success

Quality and clarity of supporting evidence

Judges work independently and confidentially, allowing for objective evaluation.

Determining the Shortlist

Shortlists are based on scoring outcomes and the relative strength of each category. Because entry volumes and competitiveness naturally vary from year to year, the number of finalists may differ between categories. This approach helps ensure that being shortlisted remains a genuine mark of industry recognition. The judges’ decisions are guided solely by merit.

Judges’ Discretionary Recognition

In some years, the judges may choose to recognise an entry that stands apart for exceptional industry impact, innovation or leadership. This discretionary recognition reflects the collective view of the panel and is only presented when clearly warranted.

Confidentiality

All entries, scoring and judging discussions are treated as strictly confidential. This allows judges to provide candid evaluations while protecting commercially sensitive information. Entrants may request confidential feedback following the awards.

Final Outcomes

All judging outcomes are final. The Mobile News Awards team oversees the process to ensure consistency and adherence to these principles.

We  regularly review judging procedures to ensure they reflect best practice and maintain the highest standards of credibility.