National Business Book Award Announces Finalists

Leading business books focus on economic sustainability, conspicuous consumption and a high-profile memoir

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The three finalists for this year's National Business Book Award were announced today. The $20,000 award is presented to the author of the most outstanding Canadian business-related book published in 2011.

This year's book submissions reflect the increasingly global nature of Canada's economy and the issues that are inevitably part of this transition. The themes of the books demonstrate how Canadians continue to seek their place in the new world order, including how to become more responsible global citizens and, at the same time, more competitive players in the international markets.

An independent jury evaluates eligible nominations based on five key criteria including originality, relevance, excellence of writing, thoroughness of research and depth of analysis. The jury is chaired by Roger Martin, Dean, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. The panel includes Jane Cooney, Founder, Books for Business; William Dimma, Chairman Emeritus, Home Capital Group, Inc., Peter Mansbridge, Chief Correspondent, CBC Television Network; Deirdre McMurdy, Adjudicator; and The Honourable Pamela Wallin, Senator.

This year's finalists are:

• Conrad Black, A Matter of Principle, published by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Black, a publisher and author, offers a candid memoir of his indictment and trial, along with a critical account of what he perceives to be flawed in the U.S. justice system. The book offers an insider's glimpse at this high-profile case from Black's perspective.
• Bruce Philp, Consumer Republic: Using Brands to Get What You Want, Make Corporations Behave, and Maybe Even Save the World, published by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Philp, a veteran of the advertising and branding industry, argues that society has become addicted to constant consumption. Through comprehensive case examples, he demonstrates that consumers have the ability to influence brands into accountability.
• Chris Turner, The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy, published by Random House Canada. Turner, a journalist and well-established writer on sustainability and the global cleantech industry, argues that we have reached the end of business as we currently know it, and need to make a dramatic lateral leap to sustainability and proactive change.

Now in its 27^th year, the National Business Book Award is an annual celebration of Canadian authors of exceptional non-fiction, business-related books. The award has come to be recognized as one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards. It continues to gain attention from not only the Canadian business world, but also publishers, authors, journalists, academics, economists, politicians and business leaders around the world.

The winner of the National Business Book Award will be announced on May 28, 2012 at a luncheon in Toronto. The award is co-sponsored by PwC and BMO Financial Group.

Last year's National Business Book Award winner was Ezra Levant for his book Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Mary Ann Freedman
Freedman & Associates Inc. for the National Business Book Award
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.nbbaward.com