Reader’s Digest Announces First Annual “Nicest Place In America” Contest
Reader’s Digest today announced its first annual “Nicest Place in America” contest, a national crowd-sourced hunt for exceptional places whose people exemplify positive ways of life. Readers nationwide can submit their nomination for the “Nicest Place in America” at www.rd.com/nicest through the end of May. The winning place will be announced online this fall and featured on the cover of the November issue of Reader’s Digest.
“The idea for ‘Nicest Places’ was simple: At a time when half the country seems to be unhappy with the other half, why not honor the best of who we are?” said Bruce Kelley, Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer of Reader’s Digest. “We all know places where neighbors help one another in good times and bad and where strangers always feel welcome. Reader’s Digest wanted to celebrate those places that embodied that community spirit and remind us that there is still kindness in the world.”
Each submission must be a physical location in the United States (e.g. a town, neighborhood, building, park or a particular establishment, etc.). “Nicest Place” entries must include a headline, title or tagline, stories about the place and why it should be nominated, as well as pictures. Entries can also include videos, URLs or social media accounts to showcase the niceness of the people there.
Nominations will be narrowed down to five finalists and readers will have a chance to vote online for the winning “Nicest Place in America.” To determine the winner, Reader’s Digest editors will consider the voting tally and other relevant factors including, but not limited to, the embodiment of the spirit of niceness and the kindness of the people in the place.
During the month of May, the Reader’s Digest Instagram account will feature a photo and highlighted story from entries for the contest, which will encourage people to share their own stories and entries. Entrants and finalists are encouraged to share their nominations on social media and tag posts using #NicestPlaceinAmerica.
