ONA21 will be virtual this June. This global journalism festival taking place June 22-25 offers interactive panels, workshops and networking events with some of the most innovative minds in digital news media, including audience and analytics professionals, news product, strategy and business executives and entrepreneurs. The lead-up to the event includes a dedicated Career Day and sessions targeting job seekers of all levels on June 21.
This conference offers our funders, sponsors and supporters several opportunities to connect with the community in ways that we know our supporters value and need in a virtual environment, including:
- Access to attendee profiles and ability to contact attendees
- Being a part of the deeper discussion
- Contribution to programming and sessions
- Clear, focused networking times and options
About the ONA Annual Conference Audience
- Nearly 50% of ONA20 attendees reported being primary decision-maker or having high or medium influence in purchasing decisions
- 20% of attendees were in senior management positions (director to C-suite)
- Attendee breakdown:
- 57%+ were on the reporting/editing/producing side of newsrooms
- 27%+ were part of audience engagement, 18% were part of social media and 15% in communications/marketing in general
- 16% were part of related technology and tools
- 50% of registered attendees actively used ONA20 networking tool (Grip) to make one-to-one connections to exhibitors and other partners.
- 65% of those activated chatted in the platform and/or scheduled an in-platform video meetings (benchmark for virtual events is 40%)
- 44% of meetings requested through Grip were accepted( benchmark 10-20% for similar-sized virtual conferences)
- 57% said they found 2 or more connections to new tools and technology, 74.4% said 1 or more
- 80% surveyed said they planned to continue communicating with new connections, 47% of respondents said they’ll follow up with 1-3 connections after ONA20
- Top four reasons for attending an ONA conference: access new ideas, learn practical tips, meet new people, discover new technology and tools
- Top 10 types of exhibitors/sponsors attendees requested for future events: training, social media platforms, data tools, immersive storytelling tools + equipment, J-schools and fellowship opportunities, content distribution platforms, CMS, verification tools, data security, and photos/art.
See the list of sponsors who have already partnered with ONA21.
Sponsor Packages
Presenting Sponsors of ONA21 will be highlighted for their support in multiple ways throughout the 2021 calendar year:
- Presenting Sponsors will co-host the Welcome Event on the first day of ONA21, held virtually on June 22. This premium sponsorship includes all branding related to the events and the opportunity to digitally address all attendees via our video network platform at ONA21, in addition to promotion leading up to and throughout the events.
- Presenting Sponsors will have the option to conduct up to two 45-minute sponsored sessions, held live or pre-recorded, at ONA21. ONA will actively work with Sponsor to ensure a quality experience for Sponsor, speakers and attendees. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding.
- Presenting Sponsors will each have the opportunity to develop a sponsored one-hour webinar hosted on the ONA platform at another time of the year. ONA will work with Sponsor on the programming content, and promote this branded webinar through its network and produce the event as a live or pre-recorded event. Sponsors would have access to the video after the event to share publicly, including on their own platform.
- This premium package also includes sponsorship of one of eight ONA-hosted virtual networking events taking place in 2021 and welcoming attendees to that event with brief remarks. ONA will work with Sponsor to select an appropriate focus/date for the event.
Benefits also include:
- Two 45-minute sponsored sessions on the official ONA21 schedule
- 20 conference passes for ONA21
- ONA one-year memberships for 10 registrants
- Message to all attendees about sponsored session via Intercom internal messaging system on ONA’s LMS
- A limited number of passes for other ONA programs held virtually and in-person in 2021.
- Inclusion in pre-ONA21 e-newsletter promotion highlighting sponsors
- 2 pre-ONA21 dedicated e-newsletter ads
- Top banner placement on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Logo listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+)
Sponsor branding and welcome for our daily stretch break. ONA will work with Sponsor to organize and host the events virtually for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding.
The **full** package also includes sponsoring one of eight ONA-hosted virtual networking events taking place in 2021 and welcoming attendees to that event with brief remarks. ONA will work with the sponsor to select an appropriate date for the event.
Benefits exclusively available for the **full** package also include:
- 10 ONA21 conference passes (total), with ONA one-year memberships for 5 registrants
- 2 ONA21 in-conference ads
- Platinum level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Logo listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
Benefits for partial package also include:
- Silver level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Gold), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
Benefits for full and partial package also include:
- Ten-minute presentation opportunity at the start of stretch break.
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- Inclusion in pre-event e-newsletter promotion
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
The middle two days of ONA21 (June 23-24) will end with a fun event meant to give attendees a moment to relax! Sponsor will host a 30-minute online event (previous examples include “Field Trip” with Field Museum Chief Curiosity Correspondent Emily Graslie and an Exclusive Virtual Tour of Ocean Voyage at Georgia Aquarium), welcoming attendees as part of the introduction. ONA will work with Sponsor to organize and host the events virtually for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote these as official events across our channels with your branding.
Benefits exclusively available for the **full** package also include:
- 10 ONA21 conference passes (total), with ONA one-year memberships for 5 registrants
- 2 ONA21 in-conference ads
- Gold level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Platinum), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Logo listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
Benefits for partial package also include:
- Silver level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Gold), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
Benefits for full and partial package also include:
-
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- Inclusion in pre-event sponsor e-newsletter promotion
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
Sponsor will conduct a 60-80-minute sponsored virtual training/workshop. Multiple options are available for producing this session, accommodating different levels of interactivity. ONA will actively work with Sponsor to ensure a quality experience for Sponsor, speakers and attendees. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding.
Benefits also include:
-
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- 5 ONA21 conference passes, with ONA one-year memberships for each
- Gold level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Platinum), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Inclusion in pre-event e-newsletter promotion
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Logo/name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
The middle two days of ONA21 (June 23-24) will end with a fun event meant to give attendees a moment to relax! Sponsor will host a 30-minute online event (previous examples include “Field Trip” with Field Museum Chief Curiosity Correspondent Emily Graslie and an Exclusive Virtual Tour of Ocean Voyage at Georgia Aquarium), welcoming attendees as part of the introduction. ONA will work with Sponsor to organize and host the events virtually for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote these as official events across our channels with your branding.
Benefits exclusively available for the **full** package also include:
-
-
- 10 ONA21 conference passes (total), with ONA one-year memberships for 5 registrants
- 2 ONA21 in-conference ads
- Gold level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Platinum), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Logo listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
-
Benefits for partial package also include:
-
-
- Silver level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Gold), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
-
Benefits for full and partial package also include:
-
-
-
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- Inclusion in pre-event sponsor e-newsletter promotion
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
-
-
Welcome attendees to this RSVP-only, 30-minute virtual chair or mat yoga-and-networking session. We provide the instructor! ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding.
Benefits also include:
-
-
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- 5 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
- Silver level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Gold), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Inclusion in pre-event e-newsletter promotion
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
-
Sponsor will conduct a 45-minute sponsored session, held live or pre-recorded. ONA will actively work with Sponsor to ensure a quality experience for Sponsor, speakers and attendees. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding.
Benefits also include:
-
-
- Listing on the official ONA21 schedule
- 5 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
- Gold level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Platinum), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Inclusion in pre-event e-newsletter promotion
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
-
ONA, with support from our partners, is offering hundreds of scholarships to ONA21. The following four opportunities are available and applications will open in the spring.
Sponsor branding would be included on each application page; access to reach out to applicants is included in this package. Partners can also select to sponsor more scholarships, with benefits adjusted accordingly.
Benefits also include:
-
-
-
- 3 ONA21 conference passes, each including one-year ONA membership
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
-
-
A dedicated time to connect and get valuable feedback about the products or services you are developing. This time would be scheduled during one of our Midway breaks, June 22-25. Benefits also include:
-
-
-
-
- 3 ONA21 conference passes, each including one-year ONA membership
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
-
-
-
Sponsor logo on the opening screen of our four daily Featured Session (keynote) events. Benefits also include:
-
-
-
-
-
- 3 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
-
-
-
-
ONA21 Midway
Midway sponsorship gives organizations the opportunity to pitch programming ideas about topics of importance to the ONA community for 20-minute sessions. Learn more about Midway Programming and Demos here. ONA will actively work with Sponsor to ensure a quality experience for Sponsor, speakers and attendees. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience and will promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding. (Participation in the Midway does not guarantee a programming slot.)
Additionally, being a part of the Midway includes a dedicated Sponsor page in the ONA Midway Center, with the ability to make connections with attendees, schedule virtual appointments, and host video meetings seamlessly.
ONA21 Midway Sponsorship — $3,000 (10 available)
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 3 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
-
-
-
-
-
ONA21 Midway Sponsorship, Nonprofit Rate — $1,500 (3 available)
This sponsorship is designed to support verified nonprofit and NGO organizations.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 2 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
-
-
-
-
-
-
Benefits for both levels also include:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
This sponsorship is designed to support new or emerging companies and tools. Companies must be two years old or newer to qualify. Application required.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 1 ONA21 conference passes, including a one-year ONA membership
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
-
-
-
-
-
ONA21 Career Day Participation
ONA will host a virtual Career Day on June 21, 12–3 p.m. EDT (16:00–19:00 UTC), the day before ONA21 begins. This event will feature opportunities both for career conversations in group settings and more personal one-on-one overviews, in addition to a limited number of programming sessions around career development.
All job seekers will be welcomed to join this event at no cost. Recruiters and Career Day sponsors will have access to the ONA21 Career Day resume database to reach out to eligible job and fellowship seekers in advance and set up interview and conversations, opportunities to post on ONA’s Career Center and will be included in all Career Day promotion leading up to the event
For information about combining your group’s participation with ONA Career Day and other ONA21 sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jessica Strelitz.
Your experience working with people seeking new opportunities — new jobs, upward mobility, academic growth, experiential learning, and more — gives you a unique insight that could benefit others in transition. We invite you to share your knowledge at the ONA21 Career Day. Email Hanaa Rifaey by June 1 to discuss your big idea.
Support 20 scholarships to ONA21 for students and new professionals, designed for journalists with 5 or fewer years of professional experience in digital journalism. Host a 30-min networking event during the ONA21 Career Fair on June 21, focused on this community, with the opportunity to welcome attendees. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the session as an official event across our channels with your branding. Branding would also be included on each scholarship application page. Sponsor access to reach out to scholarship applicants in this category is included in this package.
Benefits also include:
-
- Logo/Name included in ONA21 Career Day promotion, including but not limited to ONA Career Center, ONA21 newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20) and emails targeting early career and job seekers
- Opportunity to pitch ONA21 Career Day programming
- 5 ONA Career Center listings, to be used within one year
- 5 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
- Silver level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Gold), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Inclusion in pre-event e-newsletter promotion
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in general ONA21 conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
Benefits include:
-
-
- 1 ONA Career Center listing (with ability to add additional listings at the discounted conference rate of $150 each).
- Logo/Name included in ONA21 Career Day promotion, including but not limited to ONA Career Center, ONA21 newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20) and emails targeting early career and job seekers
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Opportunity to pitch ONA21 Career Day programming (details forthcoming)
- 2 ONA21 conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership, allowing access to the full virtual conference taking place June 22-25
- Eligibility to apply for Midway Programming.
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- Name listed in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20)
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
-
Benefits include:
-
-
-
- 1 ONA Career Center listing (with ability to add additional listings at the discounted conference rate of $150 each).
- Logo/Name included in ONA21 Career Day promotion, including but not limited to ONA Career Center, ONA21 newsletters (opt-in audience 13,000+, with an average 48% open rate during ONA20) and emails targeting early career and job seekers
- Bronze level listing on ONA’s Midway Center (alphabetical order, after Silver), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
- Opportunity to pitch ONA21 Career Day programming (details forthcoming)
- Rotating digital ad, ONA21 blog network
- Name listed on ONA21 digital sponsor signage
- ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)
-
-
Dedicated ad space between June 15 – July 15, 2021 on the ONA Career Center, and 5 job listings to be used anytime within a year.
Add-on options are available only alongside any ONA21 sponsor package. There are no additional benefits associated with these options.
Discounted rate for one 30-day ONA Career Center listing, to be used within one year. Sponsors may choose to add multiple listings to their package at the reduced $150 rate. (Outside of ONA21, the rate-per-listing is $200 for members and $300 for nonmembers.)
Add-on options are available only alongside any ONA21 sponsor package.There are no additional benefits associated with these options.
Additional Promotional Opportunities
The following opportunities are available with or without an ONA21 sponsor package. There are no additional benefits associated with the options below.
Reach 13,000+ opt-in readers in the digital media space around the world in the months leading up to the annual event. Because of the dedicated audience, this newsletter sees a higher engagement rate on average. One ad per issue, with discounts for multi-issue runs.
This newsletter is emailed only to conference registrants each day of the conference. The ONA20 daily newsletter saw open rates of 50%/avg. Two ads available per issue.
Dedicated ad space in our weekly newsletter (circ. 20,000+ opt-in readers) — examples here. Open rate of 20%+ year round. Only one ad per issue for full share of voice. Discounts for start-ups, educators and multi-issue runs. Available year-round.
With a digital ad, you will have the exclusive sponsor message on a given page. One ad per site.
ONA21 Confirmed Opportunities
The following sponsor packages are sold out for ONA21. If you are interested in a package that is no longer available, please email Jessica Strelitz to discuss potential alternatives or to be contacted for ONA22.
Support this key program, which brings together select students to produce content for the ONA21 website under the personal guidance of professional mentors. Includes branding as part of the official announcement, news, selection process and all-digital presence, as well as the opportunity to directly connect with the selected participants. This is a six-month long sponsorship and program, allowing the sponsor to receive promotion throughout 2021.
Address this group of conference-goers during this virtual 45-minute networking event. Each event begins with a short presentation or overview from the sponsor/host, followed by time for attendees to meet. ONA will work with Sponsor to host the event on ONA’s event platform for a seamless attendee experience. ONA would promote the reception as an official event across our channels with your branding.
Host this 45-minute targeted video networking reception for the 2021 Women’s Leadership Accelerator cohort, speakers, funders and attendees from past WLA programs as well as other women in news leadership at ONA21. The video networking platform will allow the Sponsor to address attendees and the attendees to connect with one another one-on-one or in small groups via video or text chat. Sponsor will be included in year-round WLA promotion, as well as branding on the invitation and listing on the official ONA21 schedule.
Dedicated advertising content spots on the main welcome conference page for ONA21 (our highest visibility page), the ONA21 lobby and schedule page.