THIRD SCOTTISH WEEKLY PRESS AWARDS CONFIRM LOCAL PAPERS CUT THE MUSTARD

With over 150 entries across 10 categories, the 2007 SNPA Scottish Weekly Press Awards accolade for Best Overall Advertisement was claimed by the Falkirk Advertiser, at a celebratory lunch staged at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on Thursday (3 May 2007).

Accepting the Award, Kieran Koszary, advertisement manager for the Falkirk Advertiser, had a chance to go track-side at Scotland's home of rugby. As well as taking back the framed winner's certificate to his Johnston Press (Falkirk) colleagues, he earned himself and his team a magnum of champagne.

The winning ad had been entered under the category of Best Non-Client-Led Advertisement Feature for what the independent panel of judges assessed as a highly creative and engaging promotion, involving participating retailers as well as readers in its 'Big Bother' vote-out.

The Non-Client-Led category had proved especially hard to judge, as the volume and standard of entries had been higher than in previous years.

New for this year's Awards was a category geared to recognising synergy across online and offline channels. Secured by Scottish & Universal Newspapers for its 'Find It' cross-platform approach, the judges were keen to see competition in the category intensify over the coming year.

Leading the field as the newspaper group which scooped the most awards was Scottish Provincial Press. In total, it took nine out of the 20 prizes awarded, with advertisement manager Sue Pilkington wearing out the carpet as she left her seat to receive award after successive award.

Commenting on the Awards scheme, current president of Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA), Bill Laidlaw, said: "Looking at all the entries received, it's clear that the event achieved the objectives we'd established for it; to showcase, celebrate and stimulate success in local newspaper publishing.

"Scotland's local weekly press helps to inform, promote competition, stimulate demand and oil the economic wheels of the communities they serve. They're at the heart of the democratic process. What's more, free market innovation and public service are watchwords in our business.

"The Scottish Weekly Press Awards were borne out of a realisation by our own industry colleagues that the nation's local press deserved their own showcase. With three highly successful years behind us, we can look forward to staging the fourth Awards in 2008."

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Note to editors: The judging panel comprised: Mairi Clark, editor, The Drum; Chris Dempsey, chief marketing manager, Scottish Executive; and Caroline McGrath, managing director, The Media Shop Scotland.
 

Issued by Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association
For further information, please contact:
Simon Fairclough

t 0131 220 4353 m 07710 472731 e sfairclough@spef.org.uk

8 May 2007

RESULTS
The 2007 SNPA Scottish Weekly Press Awards
- The Winners -

Best Run of Paper Advertisement
Winner – Forres Gazette
Runner-Up – Northern Scot Midweek Extra

Best Classified Advertisement
Winner – Highland News
Runner-Up – Musselburgh News

Best Classified Section
Winner – Northern Scot

Best Client-Led Advertisement Feature
Winner – Inverness Courier
Runner-Up – Dumfries & Galloway Standard

Best Non-Client-led Advertisement Feature
Winner – Ross-shire Journal
Commended – St Andrews Citizen
Commended – Kirkcaldy Herald

Best Promotional House Advertisement or Campaign
Winner – Falkirk Advertiser

Best Supplement
Winner – Ross-shire Journal
Runner-Up – Fife Free Press

Best Niche Publication
Winner – Stornoway Gazette
Commended – Falkirk Herald
Commended – Northern Scot

Most Unusual and/or Successful Revenue-Producing Idea
Winner – Northern Scot
Runner-Up – Buchan Observer

Best Cross Platform Solution
Winner – Scottish and Universal Newspapers

Best Overall Advertisement
Winner – Falkirk Advertiser
 

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