The Abbotsford News has earned another five awards, adding to its impressive collection of 23 honours so far this year.
Last week, the Local Media Association announced the winners of its annual Editorial Contest. The contest includes newspapers across North America.
The Abbotsford News was presented with five awards. They included a first place award for Best Sports Writing for Dan Kinvig’s story Tristan’s True Grit, which told the tale of W.J. Mouat basketball player Tristan Etienne’s courageous return to the court after open heart surgery.
News editor Andrew Holota took second place for Best Opinion Column for his three columns, Into The Breach, Ecstasy and Putting Faces To Crooks.
The News also picked up two third place awards, Best Special Section for Abby in Action and Best Entertainment/Lifestyle Section for MyCity.
The News also garnered an honourable mention for Best Front Page.
The news picked up two more editorial honours when the Canadian Community Newspapers Awards were announced.
Photographer John Morrow won first place for Best News Feature Photo while reporter Vikki Hopes took third in Outstanding Reporter Initiative.
Newspapers Canada Great Ideas Awards honours excellence in advertising and once again the Abbotsford News team garnered high recognition, netting 11 accolades.
“On behalf of The News and Black Press, I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating the many staff who have been acknowledged with awards of excellence this year. It is extremely rewarding to be able to work with such a dynamic team of professionals and as always it is our objective to continue to serve our readers with the very best in content and design,” said News publisher Andrew Franklin.
In the category of Newspaper Marketing and Promotion, Jenn Schotts took first for the The Abbotsford News Open House event.
The Promotional Campaign award saw the news take second spot for the Abbotsford News Drive in for End Polio Now event for Rotary, designed by Susan Lanphear and third for the Save On Foods Milkvember promotion by Karin Lee.
The News picked up another two honours in the Advertising - Print category as Karin Lee and Linda Clark took second for their Brambles Bistro/Tanglebank Country Gardens ad. Third went to Don Barbeau and Cristine MacDonald for the SHOCKING Deals advertisements.
The Special Section category saw the News take second for Abbotsford In Action 2012 by Heidi Franke, and third for The Pulse by Jenn Schotts.
It as a similar story in the Magazine category as The News took second for the My City Community Guide by Susan Lanphear and third for Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Guide, also by Lanphear.
Finally, the News took top spot in the Digital Innovation category for the online My Sick Civic campaign by Don Barbeau. Second spot went to Cristine MacDonald for the Feel the Rumble.
“Being named the best in digital innovation reflects our extensive portfolio of products both in print and online. During the last four years The News has received 98 industry awards which sets the highest record of any paper in Canada,” said Franklin.”
The News has also been nominated for five British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspaper Awards (BCYCNA) which will be presented on April 20.
The nominations mean the News will finish in the top three in the following categories:
- Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Ad Campaign Award : Heidi Franke and Karin Lee: Venier Dental Group Grand Opening
- Columnist Award: Andrew Holota: Ecstasy, with a good chance of death
- Canada Safeway Ma Murray Community Service Award: Abbotsford News staff: Drive in for Rotary International End Polio Now
- BCAA Special Section Award, Over 25,000: Susan Lanphear: The A-List 2012
- Port Metro Vancouver Website & Online Innovation Award: Helen Dyck: Cutest Pet Contest
With 23 awards so far this year, the News is hoping to add to its total when the Local Media Association announces its advertising awards in September.