By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Not only is The Leader the best editorial newspaper in its category, it is also the best in advertising, too.
The paper won the general excellence Sweepstakes award Friday at the annual Arkansas Press Association Better News-paper Advertising banquet. The Leader garnered 17 awards in all: the Sweepstakes award, six first-place honors, three second-place awards, five third- place finishes and two honorable mentions.
General Manager John Henderson, who won a number of awards in the contest, said, “We are very proud to receive this honor from the APA. It just further shows that we are the best large non-daily newspaper in Arkansas. We have now won the general excellence, or sweepstakes award, eight out of the last nine years.”
Publisher Garrick Feldman said, “I’m proud of our outstanding team of award-winning professionals.”
The Nebraska Press Association judged the entries.
The Leader won first place in best use of spot color in its AR Care Customer Appreciation ad developed by graphic designer Clay Knupp and Henderson. “Sometimes less is best. The minimal use of the blue color makes this stand out,” said the judges.
The paper also took first in the adverting special section (general, newsprint) category with its LRAFB 60th Anniversary tab produced by Creative Editor Christy Hendricks, Knupp and the Leader sales staff. “Very nicely put together with lots of information and pictures. A great piece!” according to the judges.
Another first place award was won for best use of clip art in a Crafton’s We Feel Lucky ad by Knupp and sales representative Susan Swift. The judges said they really loved this one.
The Remax ad in the LRAFB 60th anniversary tab netted another top award. The ad was created by graphic designer Lisa Tigue and Henderson. “Love the layout, the great layers, the great cropping and placement,” the judges said.
The Leader took another first with the best Real Estate Classified Display ad created by Tigue and Publications Manager Matt Robinson. “Very clear headlines and easy to read,” commented the judges.
Another first place award won was in the employment classified display ad category with its Des Arc Nursing LPN ad. “Good use of a photo and boxes to keep it organized and simple,” the judges said.
The paper won second-place awards in the special section cover-magazine category with its Cabot library grand opening tab cover produced by Henderson, Hendricks and photographer David Scolli; and second for its Greystone Nursing Dietary Aide in the employment classified display ad. Tigue and Swift designed the ad.
Third-place honors went to Knupp and Swift for their Cabot Zonz Kidz Spotz in the best use of spot color category and for their Crafton’s Storewide Explosion ad in the best use of process color category.
Hendricks netted a third-place award for her 2015 Home, Lawn and Garden tab cover in the category of special section (magazine cover).
Knupp and Swift took third place in the most original idea competition with their Crafton’s “The Tax is on Us!” ad.
The pair took another third in the best single supplement category with their Michele Phillips ad.
Honorable mentions went to Henderson and Tigue for their Community Theater Costume Rentals in the Best Single Ad (10 inches and under).
Knupp and Feldman also received honorable mention in the Best Single Ad (half page and over) category with their Knights – 4th of July Sellathon.
