The annual awards from the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) have opened to entry, inviting submissions from magazine publishers across 22 categories.

The PPA Awards 2012 include two new categories, a diversity award for the magazine which has shown "an ongoing commitment to recognising diversity within its pages" and a front cover of the year prize where members of the public can have their say "on the most iconic magazine cover".

"The PPA Diversity Award is an innovative and exciting addition to The PPA Awards in 2012," PPA CEO Barry McIlheney said in a release.

"The rich content produced by magazine publishers creates an important connection with millions of people across the UK, and this new award is a chance to celebrate the important role our members play in representing all those readers and their interests."

All other categories are outlined on the awards website and include prizes for titles, such as magazine of the year, or digital product of the year, as well as recognition for individuals such as editor of the year, writer of the year and columnist of the year, with separate awards available for consumer and business media.

This year's awards saw womens' lifestyle magazine Red named Consumer Magazine of the Year. Award winners for 2012 will be announced in London on 20 June.

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