The Leader won 18 awards last week in the Arkansas Press Association’s advertising design contest. The honors were presented during a banquet on Friday at Petit Jean Mountain.
In all, the family-owned independent community newspaper won five first places, seven second places, four third places and one honorable mention, which earned it the grand prize sweepstakes award.
John Henderson, the paper’s general manager, said, “It’s always a real honor to receive the awards from the APA, especially the sweepstakes award. It is a tangible acknowledgement of the pride and care we take in our work as a team here at The Leader. It’s also proof again that we are the best large non-daily newspaper in Arkansas.”
Clay Knupp and Lisa Tigue produced the award-winning ads.
“It is really rewarding knowing that we have designed ads worthy of awards from APA. Lisa and I try to come up with interesting ad designs that will emphasize advertisers’ products and services and bring in more customers to their business,” Knupp said.
Advertising account executive Susan Swift, whose customers’ ads received awards, said, “the awards highlight the best work created among all APA newspapers in the state. It was such an honor for us to be awarded 18 awards this year.”
Matt Robinson, The Leader’s publications manager, said, “It’s the highest honor to win sweepstakes from the Arkansas Press Association and being part of The Leader management staff. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff. We always try to go one step higher for our advertising customers to make sure they get the results needed to make their businesses a success.”
In the category for single ad 10 inches and under, Sandy’s Pet Grooming (see page 9A) won first place, and another one for Southern Oaks won second place.
A special page reminding readers not to drink and drive for New Year’s won third place in the multiple-advertiser category.
An Easter advertisement for Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke won first place for its use of color. Another for Iron Skillet restaurant won second place. The Leader’s special football section won first place, and our basketball section won third place.
The annual football section also won second place for best cover design.
The home-improvement section took home an honorable mention.
The paper also won a second place for original photo for a missing dog ad for Lonoke resident Will Simpson.
The elves in a Christmas ad for Crafton’s Furniture won first place for clip art. One for Jacksonville Community Center’s underwater Easter egg hunt won third place.
For most original idea, an Easter ad for Greystone Nursing won third place.
The single-supplement design for Gwatney Chevrolet won first place, and Windows and More grabbed second.
For best real estate ad, one for Doug Wilkinson took second place.
In the employment category, Harps Grocery in Cabot won second.
Managing editor Eileen Feldman, said, “We are proud of our advertising staff and graphic artists and glad that their creative commitment to The Leader ideal has been recognized.”
