SJC Media Honoured Across Editorial, Visual and Advertising Categories at the 2025 National Magazine Awards

Toronto Life, Maclean’s and FASHION recognized for standout journalism, photography and storytelling across multiple categories.

SJC Media titles were recognized with multiple honours at the 2025 National Magazine Awards (NMA) and Digital Publishing Awards, celebrating compelling storytelling and  in-depth journalism. Toronto Life and Maclean’s were the two most-nominated magazines at this year’s NMAs, with 16 and 11 nominations respectively. Winners were announced at the NMA gala, held in Toronto on June 13, 2025. From long-form features and service journalism to photography and advertising, the awards highlight the broad scope of content produced across our media brands this year.

Editorial Excellence: Gold Award Wins

Toronto Life received a Gold in Long-Form Feature Writing (6,000+ words) for The Cult of Wellness by Olivia Stren, a deep dive into Toronto’s booming wellness scene, exploring how upscale studios, designer supplements and mindfulness marketing are reshaping health culture —and who gets left out.

Toronto Life also received a Gold in Profiles for The Mensch by David Sax, a look at how chef David Schwartz built a Chinese food mini-empire in Toronto and why his latest venture, a deli-inspired steakhouse, is all about honouring his mom.

Maclean’s received a Gold for Best Emerging Writer for Boom Town by Alex Cyr, which examines how Charlottetown has sustained the highest immigration rate in Canada for more than half a decade. The story explores how this influx has reversed population decline, while also revealing the challenges of rapid growth in a small city.

FASHION earned Gold in Short Feature Writing for Pocket Change by Annika Lautens, which explores the history and enduring inequality of pockets in women’s clothing, revealing how a simple design detail reflects deeper cultural and gender dynamics.

Silver Awards Across Categories

In addition to its two Golds, Toronto Life received five Silver awards:

• Long-Form Feature Writing for One Holy Mess by Nicholas Hune-Brown, which tells the story of a monastery garden in Toronto that some believers saw as a site of miracles. When a developer purchased the land to build condos, it sparked a clash between faith and real estate and raised questions about what cities choose to preserve.
• Investigative Reporting for Sins of a Small-Town Doctor by Lauren McKeon, an account of how a trusted physician’s hidden misconduct upended a close-knit Ontario community.
• Service Journalism for Where to Eat Cheap by Rebecca Fleming, a guide to the city’s best affordable meals. The feature highlights 20 standout takeout options under $10, timeless budget favourites and chefs’ top picks for eating well without spending much.
• Best Editorial Package for Everything’s Fine by Anthony Milton, Alex Cyr and Jean Grant. The special issue takes a wry but practical look at how to prepare for modern-day crises, from climate disasters to economic collapse and digital overload.
• Cover Grand Prix for Secret City, led by art director Colleen Nicholson and editor-in-chief Malcolm Johnston. The National Magazine Awards jury praised the cover as “a masterclass in balance and playfulness,” highlighting its “polished typography” and “dynamic interplay” that “exudes elegance, sparks joy, and invites curiosity.”

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Maclean’s received a Silver in Portrait Photography for The New Arrivals, a photo series by photographer Ian Brown capturing the faces and stories of recent immigrants to Canada, during a period of record-breaking migration.

At the Digital Publishing Awards also announced on June 13, Maclean’s received a Silver for Best Feature Article for A Killer Among Them by Rachel Browne, which investigates the disappearance and deaths of four Indigenous women in Winnipeg and looks at how the city is confronting its failures in the face of a national crisis.

New Category: Ad Campaigns in Canadian Magazines

This year’s awards introduced a new category recognizing advertising campaigns that creatively and effectively use magazine media to tell brand stories. Holding four of the seven finalist positions, SJC Media was recognized with both awards:

Gold for Pet Valu x Chatelaine “Catelaine,” a one-issue editorial and branding collaboration with Pet Valu. The campaign included a temporary rebrand of the magazine’s masthead, custom editorial content focused on feline health and care, original photography and a dedicated digital hub, all designed to connect meaningfully with devoted cat lovers across Canada. Read more about the campaign. 

Silver for Grey Goose Vodka x FASHION’s  “Couture Cocktails,” a collaboration with Grey Goose that blended fashion and spirits through a multi-platform execution. The campaign featured custom editorial content, high-end photography, a digital hub and a custom event that brought together media, influencers and tastemakers to celebrate personal style and cocktail culture. Check out the case study. 

Congratulations to all of this year’s NMA nominees and winners. Your work continues to demonstrate the importance of trusted, high-quality journalism and the kind of storytelling we need now more than ever. See the full list of 2025 winners.

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