The best in local journalism will be celebrated this fall when the Press Club of Toledo hosts the 2025 Touchstone Awards at the Valentine Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Touchstone categories
- Digital/Print: Hard News
- Digital/Print: Feature
- Digital/Print: Sports
- Digital/Print: Arts and Entertainment
- Digital Video/Television: Hard News
- Digital Video/Television: Feature
- Digital Video/Television: Sports
- Digital Video/Television: Arts and Entertainment
- Photojournalism: Digital/Print
- Photojournalism: Videography
- Audio Production: Radio
- Audio Production: Podcast (News/Opinion)
- Audio Production: Podcast (Sports)
- Audio Production: Podcast (Arts and Entertainment)
- Social Media Campaign
- Blog/Website
- Public Relations Campaign
- Student: Digital/Print
- Student: Digital Video/Television
- Student: Radio or Podcast
Touchstone nominations
Entries are eligible if the work was produced or published between May 15, 2024 – May 14, 2025 and were not submitted for previous Touchstone award consideration.
All work will be judged by a panel of journalism professionals from outside the Toledo region.
Nominations will be accepted between May 15 and July 15, 2025.
Once you have submitted your work, pay the entry fee(s) online or by mailing a check, payable to The Press Club of Toledo, to Press Club of Toledo, P.O. Box 2469, Toledo, Ohio 43606.
Entry fees are:
- $10: students
- $25: Press Club members
- $50: one submission and a new individual Press Club membership
- $75: nonmembers
Entries will not be judged if the entry fees are not received.
Remember, the steps to nominate are:
- Complete the entry form for each nomination.
- Pay your entry fees online or by mail.
New for 2025: Emerging News Media Professional
In support of its vision and mission, the Press Club of Toledo is introducing a new award category for the Touchstones Awards: Emerging News Media Professional. The award recognizes new voices that exemplify journalistic integrity and public service.
Eligibility: anyone who has worked in the news media industry for fewer than five years and has made an impact on the audience or community they serve.
Criteria: Nominations will be judged by a panel of Press Club of Toledo past-presidents and former board members. Judges will use the following criteria when making their selections:
- Quality of the nominee’s body of work
- Impact the nominee’s achievements has had on audiences and the community
- Use of creative storytelling techniques and platforms
- Nominee’s commitment to service and dedication to the profession of journalism
Nominations will be accepted between May 15 and July 15, 2025 and should be from someone who has employed or worked directly with the nominee. The winner will be notified in August 2025 and presented the Emerging News Media Professional award at the 2025 Touchstones Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 25.