Pop Media Prijs

The Pop Media Prijs is an award for outstanding music journalism in the Netherlands. Since 1994, the prize has focused on individual music journalists and innovative initiatives or publications that reach new audiences, cover under-represented music and/or display remarkable pop music journalism.

Sena Performers present the award and is awarded for the 32nd time at ESNS26.

The Pop Media Prijs is awarded in recognition of the lifetime achievement of a pop music journalist or media outlet. Particular attention is paid to outstanding achievements over the past year.

Candidates may be individuals, initiatives or projects from all sectors of the media: print, books, radio, television, online media, documentaries, film and photography. In all cases, the publications must focus on music.

Peter van der Ploeg wins Pop Media Prijs

Music journalist Peter van der Ploeg is the winner of the 2025 Pop Media Award. The jury praised him for his ability to flawlessly capture the voice and personality of artists in his writing. Artists recognise themselves in his interviews, which demonstrates a keen sense of tone and context.

Previous winners of the Pop Media Prijs:

2024 - Linda Hakeboom & Rolf Hartogensis
2023 – Justin Verkijk
2022 – Veronica van Hoogdalem
2021 – Timo Pisart
2020 – Beste Zangers
2019 – Rob Stenders
2018 – Fernando Halman
2017 – Roosmarijn Reijmer
2016 – Rotjoch
2015 – Rutger Geerling
2014 – Atze de Vrieze
2013 – The book projects Mary Go Wild (edited by Arne van Terphoven, Gert van Veen, Britta Moller and Alex Slagter) and Dutch Dance (written by Mark van Bergen, Xander Uitgevers).
2012 – Saul van Stapele
2011 – DWDD Recordings

2010 – Eric Corton
2009 – Sander Donkers
2008 – Jan van der Plas
2007 – Leo Blokhuis
2006 – John Schoorl
2005 – Leon Verdonschot
2004 – Lex van Rossen
2003 – Hester Carvalho
2002 – 3voor12
2001 – Gijsbert Kamer
2000 – Anton Corbijn
1999 – Herman van der Horst
1998 – Tom Engelshoven
1997 – Martin Bril
1996 – David Kleijwegt
1995 – Jip Golsteijn
1994 – Bert van de Kamp

Pop Media Prijs Jury

Marta Belay (Spotify)
Timo Pisart (3voor12, winner Pop Media Prijs 2021)
Linda Hakeboom en Rolf Hartogensis (winners Pop Media Prijs 2024)
Tim van der Zalm (Labeltje Labeltje)

The jury for the Pop Media Prijs consists of a diverse range of industry professionals – including musicians, music venue/festival representatives, journalists or press members with experience in written press, radio, TV, documentaries and online media. All jury members must be aware of recent developments in the media and pop music industries. Finally, it is a tradition that the winner of last year’s edition takes a one-time seat as a member of the jury.

The Pop Media Prijs is made possible in part by a contribution from the Sena Performers Fund.

Find out more about the procedure here