Join Us as a Sponsor

ONA20 Everywhere is the world’s largest gathering of highly engaged digital journalists who are shaping the future of journalism and technology. We anticipate hosting thousands of publishers, technologists, newsroom decision-makers, educators, designers, product managers, innovators and all types of digital media professionals as part of our annual event.

This will be a virtual event, allowing participants to join from around the world Oct. 1 – 16.

New for ONA20: We are officially combining our Midway and exhibit hall spaces into The Midway. The Midway is a futures lab for tomorrow’s incredible journalism, which brings together the best thinking in the media technology, tools and workforce space, as well as unique programming from participating groups.

More questions? Read ONA’s Sponsorship, Donor and Gift Policy for guidance on how ONA solicits and accepts sponsorships, donations and gifts.

About the ONA Annual Conference audience

  • 20% of ONA19 attendees reported being the primary decision maker in purchasing decisions AND 61% reported having high or medium influence in decision making
  • 32% were in senior management positions (director to C-suite)
  • 31% of attendees were in management
  • 70%+ were employed in the journalism space (16% were in related technology and tools; 11 percent were academic)
  • 11% of all attendees were international
  • 85% of participants report visiting the Midway or sponsor lounges during ONA19

Top three reasons for attending ONA conference

  • Access new ideas
  • 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
  • Photos/Art

Top 5 ONA19 attendee titles

  • Manager: 31%
  • Director: 21%
  • Mid Career: 21%
  • Executive/C-Suite: 11%
  • Early Career: 11%

Sponsorship Packages ONA20 Everywhere

Presenting Sponsor — $50,000 (SOLD OUT) 
Co-Sponsor ONA20’s Welcome Event on Oct. 1, including all branding and the opportunity to digitally address all attendees via our video network platform. This premium sponsorship offers promotion leading up to and throughout the event, including three dedicated sponsored sessions and an AI-powered matchmaking session. Benefits also include:

  • Three (3) 45-minute sponsored sessions on the official ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • 20 conference passes (total)
  • One (1) branded Wave networking event, pairing attendees for a series of five-minute, one-on-one meetings based on preferences.
  • Midway Platinum Tier package (see below) with memberships for 5 registrants
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Top banner placement Midway
  • Dedicated Midway lounge
  • 2 pre-ONA20 dedicated e-newsletter ads, 5 ONA20 in-conference ads

Online Journalism Awards Banquet Sponsor — $25,000 (2 available)

Put your organization front and center during multiple ceremonies highlighting digital journalism’s preeminent awards during ONA20. Sponsor can offer brief remarks, during the final, live ceremony on Oct. 16. Sponsor also receives:

  • One 45-minute sponsored session, listed on the official ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Sponsorship acknowledgement during awards events, held several times during ONA20, as well as the final event on Oct. 16
  • 10 conference passes (total)
  • Midway Platinum Tier package (see below) with memberships for 5 registrants
  • 3 ONA20 in-conference ads
  • Logo and recognition in all targeted OJA emails
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)

Coffee + Stretch Break Sponsor — $3,000/each (7 available)
Sponsor branding and welcome for our daily coffee break, where attendees can meet up and chat via video and text chat. BYO coffee! Benefits also include:

  • 3 full conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership ** higher if bundled
  • Bronze Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center  ** higher if bundled
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 blog network
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

Diversity + Inclusion Reception — $12,500 (1 available)

Address this group of conference-goers during this 45-minute networking event hosted on a video networking platform that allows 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. 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 session as an official event across our channels with your branding.  Benefits also include:

  • Listing on the official ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway
  • participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

ONA20 Sponsored Workshop — $12,500 (SOLD OUT)

Sponsor will conduct a 60-90-minute sponsored training and text chat. 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 ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

ONA20 Sponsored Sessions — $10,000 (1 available)

Sponsor will conduct a 45-minute sponsored session and text chat. 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 ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

ONA20 official video reception/networking event — $7,500 (SOLD OUT)

Each day will end with a networking event! Sponsor will host a 30-minute event on a video networking platform that allows 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. 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 session as an official event across our channels with your branding. Perfect for events like lunches, breakfast conversations or topic-specific chats. Benefits also include:

  • Listing on the official ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

Women’s Leadership Networking Reception — $7,500 (SOLD) 

Host this 45-minute targeted video networking reception for the 2020 Women’s Leadership Accelerator cohort, speakers, funders and attendees from past WLA programs as well as other women in news leadership at ONA20.  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 ONA20 schedule. Benefits also include:

  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

ONA20 official networking event/Wave — $7,500 (1 available)

Each day will end with a networking event! Sponsor will host a 30-minute Wave —  a virtual networking equivalent to speed-dating, which pairs attendees for a series of five-minute, one-on-one meetings based on preferences. Each Wave begins with a short presentation or overview from the sponsor/host, then a series of meetings for attendees based both on their indicated interests, as well as any preferences they mark for each Wave event.   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 ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

Social Media Sponsorship — $7,500 (SOLD)

The only way to get your message onto ONA’s official social feeds during ONA20. Sponsor provides a series of 15 Tweets for the ONA20 account, 2 ONA20 Facebook posts and 2 Instagram posts that will run during the period of Sept. 28-Oct. 16.  Deadline for content — Sept. 17. Benefits also include:

  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

ONA20 Digital Sponsorship — $6,500 (SOLD)

Dedicated advertising content spots on the conference splash page of the ONA20, our highest visibility page, as well as the schedule page. Benefits also include:

  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

Lightning Session Sponsor — $6,500 (1 available)

This year’s theme — What will journalism look like after COVID-19  – is open for all registered ONA attendees.  Sponsorship includes pre-recorded welcome remarks and an opportunity to participate in the event, promotion alongside all Lightning session digital announcements (including blog posts) and on the schedule page. Benefits also include:

  • Listing on the official ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

Morning Yoga + Networking — $6,000 (SOLD)

Welcome attendees to this RSVP-only, 30-minute 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 ONA20 Everywhere schedule
  • Inclusion in pre-event Midway e-newsletter promotion (for all sponsored sessions/Midway participants)
  • Five full access conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center (see below)
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 Everywhere blog network
  • Logo/name listed on ONA20 Everywhere digital sponsor signage
  • Logo in conference email newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year past current expiration date)

Scholarship Support Sponsor — $5,000 (10 scholarships) + $7,500 (20 scholarships) – SOLD OUT
ONA, with support from our partners, is offering hundreds of scholarships to ONA20 Everywhere. The following four opportunities are available and application is open until Sept. 17.

Sponsor branding would be included on each application page; access to reach out to applicants is included in this package, as well as Midway Bronze Tier benefits (see below).

 To find out more, or create your own package, contact ONA’s Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer Jessica Strelitz at jessica@journalists.org or at (571) 212-1363.

Midway Packages ONA20 Everywhere

Midway Platinum Tier — $5,000 (3 available)

  • 5 full conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Platinum Level (2nd highest tier) placement on ONA’s Midway Center (alpha, after sponsors with Platinum listings), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
  • Opportunity to pitch Midway sessions  — CLOSED OUT, 9/18
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 blog network
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

Midway Gold Tier — $3,500 (SOLD OUT)

  • 4 full conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Gold Level (3rd tier) placement on ONA’s Midway Center  (alpha, after sponsors with Gold listings), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
  • Opportunity to pitch Midway sessions — CLOSED OUT, 9/18
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 blog network
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

Midway Bronze Tier — $2500 (SOLD OUT)

  • 3 full conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Bronze Level (4th tier) placement on ONA’s Midway Center  (alpha, after sponsors with Bronze listings), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
  • Opportunity to pitch Midway sessions
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 blog network
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

Midway Nonprofit Rate‚ $1500 (SOLD OUT)

This sponsorship is designed to support nonprofit and NGO organizations — must have 501(c)(3) or status or be a verified non-governmental organization to qualify.

  • 3 full conference passes, each including a one-year ONA membership
  • Bronze Level (3rd tier) placement on ONA’s Midway Center (alpha, after sponsors with Bronze listings), with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
  • Opportunity to pitch Midway sessions
  • Rotating digital ad, ONA20 blog network
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

Midway Start-Up Alley — $300 (SOLD OUT)

This sponsorship is designed to support new or emerging companies and tools. Companies must be two years old or newer to qualify. Application required. Learn more about the Start-Up Alley. Package includes:

  • 2 full conference passes
  • One ONA membership (must be one of the registered attendees)
  • Basic Level placement on ONA’s Midway Center, with ability to make connections with attendees/schedule appointments/host video meetings
  • Included in all Midway start-up promotion, including special programming
  • Opportunity to pitch Midway sessions
  • Name listed on ONA20 digital sponsor signage
  • Name in conference e-mail newsletters (opt-in audience 12,000+)
  • ONA Industry Directory Listing (1 year)

All Midway participants, sponsors and supporters receive:

  • Full access to the conference, Oct. 1-16
  • Pre-event attendee lists, 1 month and 2 weeks and 1 week in advance of ONA20 — as well as post-event list (no contact information, per ONA privacy regulations)
  • An opportunity to pitch Midway sessions for additional visibility
  • Listing on the Midway, including video and digital resources, meeting scheduling and  matchmaking connections via Grip. Grip is an online networking platform that ONA20 Everywhere will use to host individual and group networking opportunities in addition to the Midway virtual exhibit hall.
  • Pre-event training on Grip and other event tools (if sponsoring)
  • During event support for producing programming and general challenges
  • Post event retrospective, including a review of  your event experience and fulfillment of  remaining data and reporting needs

Add-ons and Advertising ONA20 Everywhere

ONA20 Newsletter  — Inquire for pricing

Reach 12,000+ 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 (30%+) and in September our average open rate is nearly 60%. One ad per issue, with discounts for multi-issue runs.

Career Center Banner Takeover – $1,500 – SOLD OUT

Dedicated ad space during the month of October on our official Career Center and 5 job listings to be used anytime within a calendar year after ONA20.

ONA20 Conference Daily — $1,250 per ad/issue

The newsletter goes only to conference registrants (estimated 4,000 for 2020) each day of the conference. The ONA19 daily newsletter saw open rates of 50%/avg. Two ads available per issue.

ONA20 Sponsored Blog Content — $1,000 – SOLD OUT

Sponsor will be responsible for producing content with high value to the ONA audience, which includes members, attendees, potential attendees and other interested parties in the digital journalism community. These posts will be displayed on the ONA20 website and shared via ONA social media platforms. Details:

  • Sponsor produces editorial content, up to 500 words, for one blog post
  • Can include embedded links, video, audio and art
  • ONA will review content prior to publishing
  • ONA will promote posts to its networks, including Twitter, Facebook and via the ONA20 e-newsletter (global reach of 100,000+ digital journalists

 ONA weekly e-newsletter  — $750/issue

Dedicated ad space in our weekly e-newsletter (circ. 13,500+ 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.