Arkansas Publisher Weekly: January 20, 2023

Better

Advertising Contest now open for entries

Guest Column:

Resolve to be accessible, stay relevant

By Jim Pumarlo

Arkansas Press Association Publisher Weekly

Flowers reflects on Act 1028; hopes to strengthen law

By Wesley Brown

After Arkansas lawmakers approved Act 1028 of 2019 requiring all public meetings to be recorded, state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) proponents across the state cheered the new law as critical to public accountability and transparency.

Under the 2019 legislation, sponsored by Rep. Vivian Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, public bodies must record all regularly scheduled and special meetings with exemptions for executive sessions, volunteer fire departments, second-class cities and incorporated towns.

Act 1028 was one of few substantive improvements to the FOIA in recent years. The proposal, which has since been codified into law as A.C.A. Section 25-19106 (d)(1) of the Arkansas FOIA Act, also requires those sound recordings, video and analog broadcasts of public meetings to be maintained by public entities for at least a year. The recordings are to be made available to the public upon request.

Flowers filed the bill that would become Act 1028 after a constituent raised concerns to her about inaccuracies in the meeting minutes of one local governmental entity. Minutes are extremely formal documents that may describe in just a few words what government leaders took two hours to debate, Flowers said at the time, and sometimes important comments get cut from minutes entirely.

Recordings would contain the entirety of the meeting along with nuance and context that minutes lack. “Things are just so accessible now,” she said in 2019. “Friends, family and employees are expected to be available because they

know you have a smart phone, but we’re not making our government nearly as accessible.

“Hearing audio and seeing video makes the experience of getting to know people in leadership much more honest, much more personal and much more specific than reading one page of notes.”

The bill gained bipartisan support, including, as Flowers noted, “both arch conservatives and arch liberals.” For her work to make government more accessible and to strengthen the Arkansas FOIA, Flowers received the Arkansas Press Association Freedom of Information Award in 2020.

The recording mandate is of particular benefit to journalists, Flowers said.

Reporters who may not have been able to attend a meeting, or those who may be working on long-term special projects, are now equipped with a tool under FOIA to do better reporting.

“I think this helps to create a stronger foundation for investigative reporters,” she said. “If you’re trying to go back and figure out what happened, or who said what in a public meeting, then this is really helpful.”

Act 1028 fully took effect on July 1, 2020. Now, two and a half years later, several lawsuits have been filed across the state due to increasing violations of the updated FOIA law.

“It is happening in small towns. It’s happening on school boards, and we have been seeing it now for several months,”

Rep. Vivian Flowers (left), with Rep. Jamie Scott, speaks on the floor of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Flowers received APA’s Freedom of Information Award in 2020 for sponsoring this bill.

reflects on Act 1028; hopes to strengthen law

The Arkansas FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Handbook

attorney. “In this instance, they were misquoting things that he was saying, and per the law, he wanted the audio, video or some kind of digital or analog broadcast recording, and they didn’t have it.”

community members as well.”

At the State Capitol on Jan. 18, Flowers said she is pleased so far that most public officials are embracing Act 1028. That legislation had 20 co-sponsors during the 2019 session when it received 87 yea votes in the House and 19 in the Senate.

Akr a nsasFreedom of Informati on tcA Since 1967 Co-Sponsors

For Act 1028 to have more teeth in the future, McCutchen said one of the cures is making sure that public officials are educated on the requirements of the Arkansas FOIA.

“There needs to be training on what are the new FOIA laws and these (violations) should never happen again,” McCutchen said.

In the ongoing legislative session that began Jan. 9, Flowers and other proFOIA lawmakers are discussing a possible measure to expand parts of Act 1028 to mandate video recordings or live streaming at public meetings.

Open records, open meetings, open government for all Arkansas citizens

APA partners with the Arkansas Attorney General’s office to produce the Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook, with the most up-to-date information on Arkansas FOIA laws and open meeting requirements, every other year after the legislative session. In December, APA distributed 10 copies of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook to each member newspaper.

She noted that she received strong support for her 2019 bill after she assured some reluctant lawmakers that her proposal did not burden public bodies with additional costs to maintain audio, video and digital recordings.

With technology continuing to advance, she said that the COVID-19 pandemic caused government officials and public bodies to consider alternatives to assembling people to conduct meetings.

said Joey McCutchen, a partner in the McCutchen Sexton Napurano law firm in Sebastian County.

McCutchen said he is preparing to file a lawsuit against the City of Branch in Franklin County for a violation of the updated FOIA law. He said his client is a local citizen who filed a FOIA request for recordings of several months of city council meetings but was told by Branch city officials they did not exist.

“We got a response that there were no such recordings,” said the Fort Smith

“Open meetings and public records requests are used by reporters in their information gathering and fact-checking processes, and also citizens have the right to public information under FOIA. However, sometimes there are obstacles to the smooth execution of the request, including delays in responding and a lack of understanding about how the process works,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley.

“We urge each member newspaper to distribute the handbooks to local city and county officials and school board members, and to make them available to

“Everybody is streaming Facebook live now. I don’t think it would be too difficult,” Flowers said of live streaming public meetings.

So far, four FOIA-related bills have been filed during the 94th General Assembly. They include House Bills 1035, 1099, 1102 and 1118.

If you or your newspaper need additional copies of the Arkansas FOIA Handbook, please email ashley@arkansaspress.org or call (501) 374-1500.

Better Newspaper Advertising Contest now open for entries

Calling all APA member advertising directors and account executives! The annual APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest is now open for entries.

Collect your best work from the 2022 calendar year and upload to bit.ly/3XlWP7q by Feb. 28. Contest rules and categories for this year’s contest can be found at the above link and also on page eight of this week’s Arkansas Publisher Weekly.

Members of the Mississippi Press Association will judge the entries. Award plaques will be presented at the APA Advertising Conference on April 28 in Little Rock.

Call (501) 374-1500 or email terri@arkansaspress.org if you have any questions or need to obtain your login information.

Jan Roberts

ISWNE editorial-writing contest open for entries; deadline to enter is Wed., Feb. 1

The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) is accepting entries for its annual Golden Quill editorial writing contest. Deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.

Entries should reflect the purpose of the ISWNE, which is encouraging the writing of editorials or staff-written opinion pieces that identify local issues that are or should be of concern to the community, offer an opinion and support a course of action.

All newspapers of less than daily frequency (published fewer than four days per week) are eligible to enter. Onlineonly newspapers must be considered community news sites. Syndicated columnists are not eligible.

Cost is $10 per entry (each editorial or column) for ISWNE members, $15 per entry for non-members, and $5 per entry for students. There is a separate division for student entries. Two entries are allowed per person.

Grassroots Editor, ISWNE’s biannual journal, will reprint the 12 best editorials in the Summer 2023 issue. The Golden Quill winner will be invited to attend ISWNE’s annual conference in Reno, Nevada, June 21-25. The winner will receive a conference scholarship and travel expenses up to $500.

APA has learned of the death of former Ashley County Ledger advertising director and bookkeeper Jan Roberts this past June. She was 66.

Roberts died Thursday, June 9, 2022 in Crossett. A native of Long Beach, California, she worked for the Ledger in Hamburg for over 30 years until her retirement in August 2015.

Roberts was preceded in death by her husband, Corporal Dennis J. “Shooter” Roberts, and her parents, H.W. “Bill” and Dorothy Edwards Allen. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Kristin and Phillip Sharp of Crossett; son Joshua Roberts of Bastrop, Louisiana; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Cecile Thomas of White Salmon, Washington; father and mother-in-law Ken and Kathy Roberts of Crossett; brother-in-law Randy Roberts of Greenville, Mississippi and two grandchildren.

Services were held June 16, 2022 in Hamburg.

Entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

Information on how to prepare and send entries can be found at iswne.org. For specific questions, please contact ISWNE Executive Director Chad Stebbins at stebbins-c@mssu.edu

Bachlet named chief operating officer of CherryRoad Media; will focus on strategy

beginning of 2022, and in coordination with owner/CEO Jeremy Gulban, oversaw acquisition and integration strategies as the company expanded. He also worked on long-term strategy as the company began to take shape. He has both metro and small market experience, having been the publisher of more than 20 newspapers at the former GateHouse Media, now Gannett. He has also been a reporter and editor during his career.

“It is time for our company to mature, and we have to step back and look at our structure,” Gulban said in a press release announcing the promotion.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

CherryRoad Media has announced the promotion of industry veteran Lee Bachlet to the role of chief operating officer.

CherryRoad has more than 70 newspapers in 15 states, including seven in Arkansas. Since acquiring its first newspaper in late 2020, it has quickly become one of the most far-reaching community journalism operations in the country.

Bachlet joined CherryRoad at the

“While we will continue to grow, and Lee continues to work on those efforts, we also need to refine our structure so we can successfully transition from rapid acquisition mode to a sustainable model that helps us continue to serve our communities. We felt like Lee, with his breadth of and varied experience in this industry, is the right person to help us take those next steps.”

“I am truly honored to have this opportunity,” Bachlet said. “I believe so strongly in the CherryRoad Media mission, to build sustainable local media outlets for our communities and to help our industry remain viable as a whole.”

Little River

applies for APA membership

The Little River Journal, a weekly newspaper covering Ashdown and Little River County, has applied for full membership to the Arkansas Press Association. The APA Constitution and Bylaws require three notifications of the application to APA membership. This is the third of three notifications.

The Little River Journal is owned and published by Mark Keith. It was first printed in January 2021 and publishes on Thursdays. The newspaper, having now been published weekly for more than two years, is eligible for full APA membership.

Any APA member who objects to the Little River Journal’s membership in APA may provide a written letter of objection to APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley, 411 S. Victory St., Little Rock AR 72201 or email info@arkansaspress. org

Guest Column: Resolve to be accessible, stay relevant

By Jim Pumarlo

Surviving in today’s fractured media landscape depends on your ability to identify, collect and deliver the relevant community news. That job becomes more challenging if readers become frustrated in their attempts to connect with reporters.

The normal channels of communication took a serious hit during COVID-19 as isolation was the norm for reporters and news sources alike. Though the worst of the pandemic is behind us, communication remains splintered in many circles.

I encourage newspapers to put at the top of their New Year’s resolutions: Make it easy for readers to connect with you.

I’m passionate in my belief that community newspapers can still compete in today’s communications dynamics – if they stick to and excel in the basics. That means owning the franchise for aggressive reporting of local news. That will occur only if readers have a direct pipeline to editors and reporters.

Yes, I understand the important and necessary role of social media both in collecting and reporting the news – in connecting with readers. Social media was integral when I led communications and media relations for a statewide business advocacy organization.

But nothing replaces direct, one-onone conversation. It’s truly amazing the barriers that many newspapers place between themselves and their readers –their news sources.

I routinely surf a variety of websites, often looking for contact information. If I can’t track it down within five minutes, I likely give up. If I am successful, the frustration

often continues with no phone numbers. Some companies may list a general number, and we’ve all been there. We punch numerous extensions, hoping to get a live voice with someone who can assist.

Why can’t we make it simpler? Here are a handful of tips from someone who has sat on both sides of the editor’s desk:

• Post your contact information or a link to the listing – prominently – on the home page of your website. Include phone numbers as well as email addresses.

• Provide the direct phone numbers and individual email addresses for staff, if available. Readers have no assurance that a general voice mail or email boxes are regularly monitored and messages forwarded to appropriate staff. List cell phones.

• Keep contact information current. If you have voice mail, change recordings daily so readers know whether you are on the job and whether you are monitoring messages. Ditto for email; use your “out of office” message when applicable.

• If you must use automated phone answering services during regular business hours, callers still should have an opportunity to connect to a “live voice.”

• Be responsive to customers. Be prompt in returning phone or email inquiries whether the message is sent directly to an individual or submitted through an online form.

Phone calls translate into a conversation, an instant exchange of ideas. You may well miss a chance for a great story if the

telephone is your communication of last resort.

Listing cell phone numbers is essential as many companies have eliminated physical offices or greatly reduced hours. Remote offices have become the norm in today’s work environment.

I can hear the naysayers who resist being available 24/7. I recall the days before cell phones and social media when some editors and publishers had unlisted home phones. They didn’t want to be bothered “after hours,” especially by an upset customer.

I welcomed all calls – no matter the hour and no matter the reason. I welcomed the fact that our newspaper was on someone’s mind at all hours of the day.

Remember, while some may view the calls as an interruption in their personal schedules, I viewed them as an opportunity – to resolve a delivery issue, to accept an ad, to explore a potential news story. Those are the connections that keep you relevant to your communities.

Jim Pumarlo is former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in SmallTown Newspapers.” He can be reached at www.pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo. com.

94th Arkansas General Assembly

Legislative Report

APA is monitoring the following filed bills of interest to our industry and the public:

Bill No. / Author Short Description

HB 1099

Rep. Collins

An act to expand the Arkansas FOIA - Expands the time a custodian, requester, or the subject of certain public records can seek an opinion from the Attorney General on whether the decision by a public-records custodian to release those records is consistent with FOIA.

https://bit.ly/3HcRslh

APA Position Current Status

Supports

Referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs- House

2023 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Advertising Contest Rules & Categories

1. ELIGIBILITY: Contest is open to daily and weekly newspaper members in good standing of the Arkansas Press Association. Entries must be submitted by the newspaper, not by an individual.

2. CONTEST PERIOD: All entries must have been published during this period — January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

3. DEADLINE for submitting entries is February 28, 2023.

4. ALL ENTRIES should be uploaded as PDFs. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page showing name of newspaper and date of issue. Login information and uploading instructions are on the following pages.

5. ENTRY FEE: $25 per newspaper PLUS $ 5.00 per entry.

6. ALL ADS entered MUST BE ORIGINAL with your newspaper. They must be conceived and sold by your newspaper staff.* Clip art is acceptable but no ready-made ads should be submitted, such as those from advertising agencies, and advertiser-produced. All ads must be from your regularly printed newspaper. Do not submit ads from your other publications (ex. monthly magazines, real estate guides or other niche publications submitted in Category 19).

7. A SINGLE AD should not be entered in more than one category. Exception: a single ad may also be entered as one of a campaign (Category 4); or a color entry may also be entered as one of a campaign (Category 4). The spirit of the contest is to recognize as many clever, creative ideas, people and advertisers as possible. (That translates: don’t take an entry you’ve submitted for a single ad and enter it as a color entry and a most original idea entry. Choose one BEST CATEGORY for each entry.) And please do NOT repeat ads from previous years.

8. “COVERS” are not ads: DO NOT submit special section covers as ads -- they are covers. There is a category (Category 11-12) to recognize special section covers.

9. In order to judge a category there must be at least three (3) entries from three (3) newspapers, otherwise those entries will be judged with the next division.

11. DIVISIONS: Your newspaper has been pre-assigned a division based on your circulation.

Div. 1 - Circulation 500 -10,000 Div. 4 - Circulation less than 2,000 Div. 3 - Circulation Over 10,000 Div. 5 - Circulation 2,000 - 5,000 APA holds the right to re-assign a newspaper’s division to insure a fair number of newspapers are distributed in each division.

With the changes in our industry where larger corporations own several newspapers of various sizes in the association, and new operating alliances, the levelized playing field becomes more difficult to maintain. It is not always evident the extent of help received by the home office or sister papers, and we’ve been told in some cases “no help is received so it is unfair to make us compete with higher circulation papers.” There is no easy solution and we rely to a high degree on the integrity of the newspaper, SO please enter according to the guidelines.

*Work done by freelancers or work outsourced may be entered, but the work must have been done exclusively for the newspaper entering the material.

If you have any questions or problems submitting your entries, please call Terri Cobb at 501-374-1500 or 800569-8762.

Categories

CATEGORY 1 – Single Ad 10” Inches and Under May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white ads only. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be ROP for a SINGLE ADVERTISER. Judges will consider the basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 2 – Single Ad Over 10”and Under Half page May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. B/W or Color. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be ROP for a SINGLE ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 3 – Single Ad Half page and OVER May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. B/W or color ads. NO HOUSE ADS or section covers. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be ROP for a SINGLE ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality. Includes ads over two pages, including double trucks. Please use category 20 for your automotive ads.

CATEGORY 4 – Ad Campaign, Any Size May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white ads OR color. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Include any online ads that are a part of the campaign. Each entry consists of at least three but not more than five ads for a SINGLE ADVERTISER, with a continuing, common theme. May be ROP or classified display campaign. Judges will consider the basic idea, layout, copy, headline, typography, originality and the development of the theme. Ads may vary in size but keep within the same theme and advertiser.

CATEGORY 5 – Multiple Advertiser Ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the fullpage tearsheet. Entry may be any size, including those up to and including double trucks, which features two or more advertisers under a common headline or theme. Judges will consider basic idea, layout, copy, headline, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 6 – SPOT Color Ad (Use of ONE Color, plus Black)

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO SECTION COVERS OR HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Judges will consider basic idea, copy, layout, headline, type, originality and appropriateness and clarity of color. May be single or multiple advertisers, ROP or classified ads.

CATEGORY 7 – Use of PROCESS Color in an Ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO SECTION COVERS OR HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Judges will consider basic idea, copy, layout, headline, type, originality and appropriateness and clarity of color. May be single or multiple advertisers, ROP or classified display, and may be any size.

CATEGORY 8 – Best Advertising Special Section - GENERAL INTEREST- NEWSPRINT

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. For each entry, submit a single PDF of the entire section. See instructions attached for combining multiple pages into one PDF file. This is a separate, pull-out, stand-alone section of GENERAL INTEREST (NON-SPORTS) printed on NEWSPRINT (magazine stock paper, see category 9) inserted into your newspaper. Judges will consider basic idea, originality of theme used in ads and editorial content, as well as the section cover. Use of color is a bonus.

CATEGORY 9 – Best Advertising Special Section - GENERAL INTEREST- MAGAZINE

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. For each entry, submit a single PDF of the entire section. See instructions attached for combining multiple pages into one PDF file. This is a separate, pull-out, stand-alone section of GENERAL INTEREST (NON-SPORTS) printed on MAGAZINE stock paper (not printed on newsprint, see category 8) inserted into your newspaper. Judges will consider basic idea, originality of theme used in ads and editorial content, as well as the section cover.

CATEGORY 10 – Best Advertising Special Section - SPORTS

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. For each entry, submit a single PDF of the entire section. See instructions attached for combining multiple pages into one PDF file. This is a separate, pull-out, stand-alone section with a SPORTS theme inserted into your newspaper. Judges will consider basic idea, originality of theme used in ads and editorial content, as well as the section cover. Use of color is a bonus.

CATEGORY 11 – Special Section COVER - NEWSPRINT

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Submit only the cover. Judges will consider design, layout, typography, artwork and use of color. The entry cover must have been from section inserted in the newspaper not the cover of your niche publication.

CATEGORY 12 – Special Section COVER - MAGAZINE

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Submit only the cover. Judges will consider design, layout, typography, artwork and use of color. The entry cover must have been from section inserted in the newspaper not the cover of your niche publication.

CATEGORY 13 – Use of Photo in an Ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO HOUSE ADS OR SECTION COVERS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. The ad must feature the original photography of a staff member. Judges will consider originality, quality, appropriateness of ad theme, clarity and appeal. May be ROP OR classified display; single or multiple advertisers and be any size.

CATEGORY 14 – Use of Clip Art in Ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO HOUSE ADS OR SECTION COVERS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. May be any size, black and white or color; ROP or classified display; single or multiple advertisers. Entries should show clever and creative use of art supplied by a clip art service. Overall idea or theme of the ad should be original; don’t submit “ready-made” ads. Judges will consider originality, appropriateness of art and other related advertising factors.

CATEGORY 15 – Newspaper Promotions and House Ads, Single ads and/or Campaign

HOUSE ADS ONLY. May submit up to five (5) entries per paper. May be any size, black and white or color. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. The ads may promote the entire newspaper or any of its operations. For example, did you have subscriptions contests, NIE promotions, readership ads, newspaper contests, etc.? Judges will consider the basic idea, originality, layout, copy, headline, illustrations and other elements which go into the ads that contribute to the overall promotion of the newspaper. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet.

CATEGORY 16 – Most Original Idea

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad may be any size, black and white or color. This includes not only ads which are particularly unique, fresh, weird, creative and outstanding, but also any ads which just don’t fit any of the other contest categories.

CATEGORY 17

– Use of Humor in Advertising

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. NO HOUSE ADS Ad may be any size, black and white or color. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Judges will consider all aspects of the ad (basic idea, layout, copy, headline, typography and originality) plus special emphasis on how funny the ad is.

CATEGORY 18

– Special Events & Festivals Ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white OR color ads. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be ROP for a SINGLE ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 19

– Single Supplement ad

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white OR color ads. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet from your special section or other advertising supplement. Ads can be from any category or customer. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality. Any size ad is acceptable.

CATEGORY 20 – Automotive Ads

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white OR color ads. Any size ad. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be for a SINGLE AUTOMOTIVE (CAR DEALER) ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 21 – Real Estate Ads

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white OR color ads. Any size ad. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be for a SINGLE REAL ESTATE OR PROPERTY ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

CATEGORY 22 – Employment Ads

May submit up to five (5) entries per newspaper. Black and white OR color ads. Any size ad. NO HOUSE ADS. Each entry submitted must be a PDF of the full-page tearsheet. Ad must be for a SINGLE EMPLOYMENT (HELP WANTED) ADVERTISER. Judges will consider basic idea, headline, layout, copy, typography and originality.

Step 1 – Acquire your login information from APA. Contact Terri Cobb at Terri@arkansaspress.org.

Step 2 – Login at www.newspapercontest.com/arkansas. You will see a page showing any entries you have already submitted. Complete rules for the contest are available above. Some browsers, such as Safari, will open the rules in a new window; others will require you to download the PDF file to your computer.

Step 3 – Click on the “Add New Entry” link.

Step 4 – On this page, select your newspaper name. A lot of information will autofill. If that information is incorrect, please contact APA. Your division will be selected for you based on your circulation. Fill in the preparer’s name. (The preparer is the person uploading the entry into the online contest platform, not the staffer that will be credited for any award.)

Step 5 – Select the Newspaper Group from the drop-down menu for the contest you are entering. You must select Open, All Daily, All Weekly or Contests By Division.

Step 6 – Select the contest category from the drop-down menu. When you select the category, special instructions will appear below it. If you don’t see the category you’re looking to enter, make sure you’ve selected the correct Newspaper Group (See Step 5). This field will clear each time you save an entry, so you must select a category for each new entry.

Step 7 – Enter the title/cutline for your entry. When uploading full-page PDF files, make sure the entry name matches the headline on the page so the judges can find it easily.

Step 8 – Include the name of the person or people who should be credited for any award. This is generally the writer, photographer, graphic artist, cartoonist, etc.

Step 9 – Add your file or files. You can drag and drop files or use the “Add files” button to navigate your files.

Step 10 – IMPORTANT: When you have completed your submission, click the “Save” button. If you click the “Back to list” button, you will lose the entry you just completed. After clicking “Save,” you will be directed back to the list of your entries.

Step 11 – To submit another entry, click “Add New Entry.” As long as you have not logged out of the system, your newspaper name will still be in place and you can simply start at Step 5 again. You may log out and log back in later to continue adding entries. You will need to select your newspaper name each time you log in.

Step 12 – If you are done submitting entries, please review the list. You may not change an entry, but you may delete an entry and resubmit it. When done uploading all your entries, click the “Billing” button on the last page. This will take you to a page where the entry fees are generated. You may click the PayPal Link to pay by credit card or mail your payment to: APA Contest, 411 S. Victory St. Little Rock AR 72201. Once payment is made, we will mark your newspaper paid and complete.