Leader takes honors in state newspaper competition

Shawano Leader/February 5, 2006

Stevens Point – The Shawano Leader received 15 awards Friday night in the annual Better Newspaper and Advertising Contest sponsored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

The Leader’s editorial department received six awards, while the advertising department received nine during the awards dinner held at the conclusion of the WNA annual convention.

"I’m extremely proud of our newsroom and advertising department," said Leader publisher Rod Christensen. "These awards are a recognition of the wonderful quality of work the Leader provides its readers and advertising customers."

In the editorial contest, the Leader competes with daily newspapers smaller than 10,000 in circulation.

The Leader’s sports pages received a first place award.

The judges wrote "The pages have a nice, clean look with excellent balance between local and pro sports. Photos look sharp and design is terrific. Great paper!"

"Sports editor Cory Dellenbach and sports reporter Aaron Wallender do a great job of reporting on a wide range of sports in our community," said Leader editor Kent Tempus. "They provide detailed stories about high school competition, but also include plenty of coverage of college and pro sports to satisfy local fans."

Wallender also received a certificate of merit, similar to an honorable mention, for his column.

The Leader’s advertising department received three first place awards for best special section, best use of color, and best circulation promotion.

Advertising manager Patti Peterson said she is proud of the work her staff has done.

"It’s all about teamwork," she said. "We work with a wide variety of products and people, and strive to create unique ideas for every occasion. I couldn’t ask for a better staff."

The Interiors special section, created by Peterson, took a first place award. The judges wrote that it was a "Nice looking product. I wanted to sit and read and learn how. It brought me in. Good idea!"

The first place award for best use of color was for an ad for Safe Haven, created by advertising representative Ron Henn and graphic designer Lynn Erdman. The judges’ comments included "Great Color. You portrayed the company well with the colors you chose. Awesome layout!"

The award for best circulation promotion was for the circulation promotion in Clintonville, designed by Erdman. The judges’ comments were "Consistent promotion, repetitive contact, cute flyers. After this they should know you wanted their business!"

Leader reporter Donna Hobscheid received a second place award for environmental reporter. Hobscheid’s entry included three stories published about Shawano Lake.

"This award has special significance, because this category is judged among all the newspapers in the state, not just those of our size," Tempus said. "Her stories helped readers better understand the conditions that affect the environmental health of the lake, and the local efforts to improve it."

A major series of stories about Dr. R.C. Samanta Roy and the organization he leads, SIST, received two second place awards, in the investigative reporting and the enterprise/interpretive reporting categories.

The series, published in October 2004, detailed SIST’s property purchases, Samanta Roy’s background and the relationship his religious followers have with local government. It was written by Tim Ryan.

"Tim’s series was one of the single best projects I’ve been associated with in more than two decades of working in the newspaper industry" Tempus said. "I’m proud to have been a part of it."

Ryan’s series, a total of 20 stories published over seven days, last month received a first place award for in-depth reporting in a nationwide competition sponsored by Suburban Newspapers of America.

The Leader also received a third place award for its lifestyle pages, which include the Sunday Accent section and the daily Hometown pages.

The Leader’s advertising department took second place awards for best use of color, best newspaper promotion, and best circulation promotion.

Peterson and graphic designer Kassie Ott were recognized for a Shawano Country Store Ad for best use of color. Peterson took a second place award in best newspaper promotion for "House Ad Your Community," and Erdman took a second place award for the "NIE flyer" for best circulation promotion.

Third place advertising awards went for best ad idea (series), best use of art service, and best use of local photography.

The third place award in best ad idea was for Henn’s D. Mitchell Interiors ads, with photography by Nathan Falk. The judges said "I’m sure having the owner’s picture in each ad created a lot of customer comments. They made me laugh and I’ll remember his name – that’s what an advertiser wants."

The third place award in best use of art service was for Floors Unlimited’s "Fair Price Everyday" ad, created by advertising representative Tina Biertzer and Ott, and the third place award in best use of local photography was for an ad for Heartland Healthcare Center called "Join Our Winning Team," designed by Henn and Erdman.