The Online Innovator Award recognizes the achievements of a leader whose commitment to digital media directly influences the direction and success of his or her company and inspires change throughout the industry. The winner embodies the spirit of innovation that drives the growth of online publishing, actively shares lessons learned and acts as a mentor to others.

Nominations for the Online Innovator Award are from the Digital Media Federation Board of Directors and general membership. The Board reviews the nominees and selects three finalists. The winner is selected by a vote of the full Federation membership.

For more information, please contact Beth Lawton, NAA manager of digital media, at (571) 366-1037 or beth.lawton@naa.org. .

Past winners:

• 2007: Steve Yelvington (yelvington.com)
• 2006: Lisa DeSisto (Boston Globe Media)
• 2005: Rusty Coats (MORI Research, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.)
• 2004: Michael Romaner (Morris Digital Works, Augusta, Ga.)
• 2003: Christian A. Hendricks (The McClatchy Co., Sacramento, Calif.)
• 2002: Michael A. Silver (Tribune Interactive, Chicago)
• 2001: Rob Curley (Morris Digital Works, The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal)
• 2000: Howard I. Finberg (CNI Ventures, Phoenix, Ariz.)
• 1999: Peter Levitan (New Jersey Online, Jersey City, N.J.); Melinda Gipson (Newspaper Association of America, Vienna, Va.)
• 1998: Robert S. Cauthorn (The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Ariz.)
• 1997: Chris Jennewein (Knight Ridder New Media, San Jose, Calif.)
• 1996: Frank Daniels III (Nando.net, Raleigh, N.C.)