SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spotlight News received five awards in The New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest at its two-day trade convention on Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs.
Spotlight News earned accolades in the categories of Best Small Space Advertising, Innovative Ad Project and Coverage of the Arts. The most prestigious recognition was bestowed upon both The Spotlight and Colonie-Loudonville Spotlight, with each paper earning certificates for the Past Presidents’ Award for General Excellence.
“It’s always an honor to be named among the best newspapers in the state,” said Spotlight News Publisher John McIntyre. “To have two of our papers earn the Past Presidents’ Award is unfathomable. Last year, we introduced TheSpot518, increasing our coverage of the local arts and music scene. We knew we were heading in the right direction after our readers responded favorably. Now, we can thank those readers for encouraging us.”
The Spotlight received a third place certificate (in Division 2 or 3) for the Past Presidents’ Award, placing behind The Southampton Press-Western Edition, of Westampton Beach, and The News-Review, of Riverhead, accordingly.
“Plenty of local content that is first rate,” stated an anonymous judge.
The Colonie-Loudonville Spotlight earned honorable mention (in Division 1).
“Tons of local content, neighborhood news, lots of info boxes on front page,” stated another judge.
Managing Editor Michael Hallisey and Reporter Ali Hibbs each earned a second place certificate for Coverage of the Arts (Division 1), behind The Shelter Island Reporter, of Shelter Island. Judges noted the paper’s “great design” and “good in-depth coverage.”
Vice President of Advertising Bo Berezansky earned a second place certificate. The paper’s Football Challenge was “well done” as it earned honors under the category of Innovative Ad Project (Division 1).
Art Director David Abbott received a third place certificate for Best Small Space Ad (Division 1), an advertisement encouraging readers to floss by incorporating a “Star Wars” theme. Spotlight News was among 546 award winners in this year’s NYPA Better Newspaper Contest. In all, 184 newspapers submitted 2,957 entries to compete for awards in 67 different categories.
Over the same weekend, Spotlight News received two awards through Free Community Papers of New York, earning first place for Online Presence in Facebook and third place honors for Online Presence for its website, www.spotlightnews.com.
Spotlight News is headquartered out of Delmar, where it produces three weekly newspapers — The Spotlight, The Colonie Spotlight and The Spot 518 — for the Capital District. The group began in 1955 with The Spotlight.