Arkansas Publisher Weekly: January 13, 2022

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Guest Column: Into the Issues

Associated Press lets non-member weeklies republish its investigative story about 2020 election fraud

By Al Cross

APA Advertising Contest Rules and Categories

Arkansas Press Association

Publisher Weekly Vol.17 | No. 2 | Thursday, January 13, 2022 | Serving Press and State Since 1873

News-Leader supports Spanish-language Sunday school class and gets volunteer reporter/press operator in return for the ministry.

The offices of the News-Leader are in the old Nashville News building and are directly across the street from FBCN, where class members had children in English-language Sunday school classes.

Hall, a white man in his mid-60s, started the class seven years ago, as a service to local Spanish-speaking Baptists who could find no Sunday school class they could understand. Although he stopped working for FBCN in January 2021, Hall and his long-time friend, John Robert Schirmer, owner of the News-Leader, did not want the class Hall had worked so long to build to cease.

So, Schirmer offered the class space at the conveniently located newspaper offices, which are quiet on Sunday mornings.

La Vida Nueva, a Spanish-language Sunday school class, meets at 9 a.m. each Sunday at the Nashville News-Leader office. The group includes, beginning at front with the youngest member Arabella and her mother, Betty Organista; and clockwise, Betty’s other daughter Evelyn, David Santamaria, Ramon Barragan, Orfelinda Barragan, Don Hall, Jaree Hall, Kaylee Santamaria, Kaylee’s mother, Letti Organista, Teresa Organista and Hermilo Organista. Not pictured are José and Cristal Perez and their children José Jr. and Kimberly. The class marked its seventh anniversary Sunday, Jan. 2, and had breakfast at the newspaper office.

Of all the myriad ways Arkansas newspapers serve their communities, the Nashville News-Leader has found an unusual and appreciated service to offer.

From 8:30 to 10:30 each Sunday morning, a small group of Spanish-language speakers gather around a conference table in a tucked-away office and hold Sunday school. The story of this unconventional class location is one of Baptists and Methodists, Google Translate and of a

Wisconsin fly-in that led to a new volunteer career on the News-Leader staff.

Sunday space The arrangement started a year ago, when Don Hall’s Spanish-language Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Nashville (FBCN) was about to disband. Hall explains he had been on staff as music and education director, but left the congregation after he and the pastor decided they had different visions

A Spanish-language worship service previously offered had ended with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I wanted to keep the class going even though I was no longer at that church,” Hall says, “so they could keep worshipping there with their families.”

Schirmer even purchased a 10-seat conference table for the class. He says, “I was glad to offer a place for the members to meet. We try to serve the community in many different ways, and this is one way we could help.”

Hall’s wife, Jaree Hall, found new work in 2021 as organist at FUMCN, where she and Don began attending. Hall says the Methodist pastor, Rev. Daniel Kirkpatrick, wanted to help out the Continued on Page 2

News-Leader supports Spanish-language Sunday school class and gets volunteer reporter/press operator in return Continued from Page 1

small class of Hispanic Baptists who were studying Sunday mornings without a physical church home. The newspaper arrangement was working beautifully, so there was no need to find a classroom at the Methodist church. But Kirkpatrick had another suggestion.

“He said, ‘I wonder if you would let our church purchase the Sunday school literature for your class so it’s no cost to you. They won’t be United Methodists, but we’d like to support you in this ministry.’”

Hall recalls.

And so, Nashville’s Hispanic adult Sunday school class, meeting in the newspaper offices across from the Baptist church, is now sponsored by the Methodist church.

Spanish beyond sopapillas The origins of the class illustrate Hall’s intense personal commitment to the community.

When Hall had the idea for the ministry, his and Jaree’s Spanish didn’t stretch much beyond the menu at a Mexican restaurant.

When the class began meeting in January 2015, Hall could not speak the language in which he intended to teach the class.

“I would dedicate my day off to preparing for the class. It took me eight hours a week to prepare,” Hall says. “I would write out the lesson, everything I wanted to say, then I would paste it into Google Translate and spend the rest of the day practicing getting the words out of my mouth.”

He says one member of his class, Hermilo Organista, the minister of the pandemicended Spanish worship service at FBCN, was especially doubtful this was a good idea. “Hermilo was very, very skeptical that the old gringo who couldn’t speak Spanish is going to try to teach Sunday school in Spanish,” Hall laughs.

Hall says it was that awkward, sustained effort, Sunday after Sunday, that impressed the members. “I didn’t know until later that that’s one of the things that won them over, that I had spent so much time trying to learn their language so they could have a Sunday school class,” Hall says. “We’re all dear friends now.”

Meanwhile, by spending two hours immersed in Spanish every Sunday for Arkansas Publisher Weekly

seven years — no English at all is allowed in the class, as Hall wants the non-English speakers to be comfortable learning without linguistic pressure — the Halls became fluent.

Of planes and presses Schirmer’s original offer of space included something else for Hall: a job helping in the press room. Hall’s first career, before attending seminary and going into music ministry, was selling hydraulic and pneumatic engineering systems, so he had a mechanical bent. Considering himself retired and not wanting a job, paycheck or boss, Hall accepted, on the condition that he was strictly volunteering.

He began working as the pressman’s assistant, coming in two days a week to help print nine area newspapers. He says the pressman, Leeman Gilley, is a “wonderful” press operator. “I’ve been working with him for a year, and what he does is still magic as far as I’m concerned,” Hall says. “I’m pretty solid mechanically, but he has a mechanical talent. A good pressman has to have an artist’s eye. He’s got it.”

Then in July, Hall, who is also a licensed 2

pilot, attended the 2021 Oshkosh experimental aircraft fly-in, an annual Wisconsin event with 10,000 aircraft and 600,000 attendees. “I took a ton of photos,” Hall says. “When I showed them to Schirmer, he suggested I write an article about the trip for the paper.”

Schirmer says, “From there, he was hooked on writing.”

Hall’s story was so well received by readers, Schirmer invited him to write a piece each week. Hall agreed, still stipulating he would take no money for the work. He says he’s had a great deal of fun writing everything from features about nearby Cossatot State Park to reporting on the Mayor’s plans for the city.

“He has done a number of really good features for us, often on topics we might otherwise miss,” Schirmer says. “I’m really glad to have him. He’s brought a whole new dimension to our community coverage.”

Hall jokes that he’s finally getting paid what he’s worth. But he admits he accepts compensation for all those hours he volunteers. He says with a laugh, “Once a week, I get a free newspaper!”

January 13, 2022

Rex Rust — finance expert, community leader, athlete — dies at age 52

By Rick Fahr

Originally published in the Southeast Missourian, Saturday, January 8, 2022, republished with permission.

Rex Dearmont Rust, co-president of Rust Communications, died Thursday, January 6, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Rex, 52, was remembered for his community involvement, leadership, charitable work and positive, energetic personality.

“It has been a difficult year grieving for a brother and sisterin-law as he struggled against cancer,” said Jon K. Rust, co-president of Rust Communications and publisher of the Southeast Missourian. “But throughout, as was his character, Rex sought to make other people laugh. His devotion to Sherry and his celebration of friends has always been remarkable, and it was uplifting to see his affection returned to him over these last months in many, many beautiful ways. Thank you to all who reached out to him -- in letters, videos, messages and prayers.

It was meaningful. Rex, more so than anything else, was fun to be around, and he will be missed profoundly.”

Born Sept. 12, 1969, he was the son of Gary Rust and Wendy Kurka Rust and brother of the late Robin Rust, Penny Rochelle (Alan) Terry, Gary Wayne (Suzuyo) Rust II, Holly Rust (Richmond) Payne, Wynn Bradford (Kim) Rust, and Jon Kurka (Victoria) Rust.

In 2005, Rex married Sherry Johnson in a ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.

Education and early career Rex attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and graduated with honors after being named class president his sophomore, junior and senior years. While there, he displayed an athletic prowess that would become a hallmark. He won the Tom Ashley Award, given to the school’s top football player, and was captain of the Academy’s football, basketball and baseball teams.

In 1992, he graduated cum laude from Harvard, with a degree in economics. He was active in various groups at the university, including the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government, and he also played on the university’s baseball team, earning a “Major H” award.

Later, he would spend a semester studying at the London School of Economics.

In 1992, he began work with Smith Barney in New York City.

He would go on to work on Wall Street and in private-equity management roles in Chicago and Virginia – focusing on mergers and acquisitions totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

In February 2001, he and Jon K. Rust were named co-presidents of the family company, while their father, Gary Rust, continued to serve as chairman of the board of the company that owns more than 40 newspapers in eight states, numerous magazines and websites, as well as minority ownership of 17 radio stations.

Older brother, Gary Rust II, later joined the company as director of its digital agency, rustmedia.

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

Community involvement Rex served in a number of positions with civic, community and professional organizations. He served as president of several – Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce board, Old Town Cape, Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Boosters board and Inland Press Association board. He served on the boards of American Press Institute, Page Cooperative, state Division of Youth Services, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Guardians, a group formed to help meet financial needs of families of fallen law enforcement agents and firefighters. A member of St. Louis Young Presidents Association, he also was chairman of the finance committee at La Croix United Methodist Church.

Old Town Cape honored him with its 2020 Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award.

His involvement in another effort was much less heralded.

Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., senior federal judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, recalled Rex’s prison ministry.

“There was an incident some years ago when I called Rex to invite him to play golf on a Saturday. He said, ‘I can’t play,’ and then he told me why – he was due in Charleston [Missouri] to be part of a Saturday ministry at the prison,” the judge said. “As good as he was as a civic leader and businessman – and he was fantastic in those roles, he was an even better Christian.”

Continued on Page 5

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January 13, 2022

Rex Rust — finance expert, community leader, athlete — dies at age 52 Continued from Page 4

Tributes In recent weeks, community leaders and friends have offered various tributes.

A Dec. 28 letter from the City of Cape Girardeau, signed by Mayor Bob Fox and members of the City Council, hailed Rex’s civic mindedness: “You have impacted the future of Cape Girardeau and ensured its success for future generations. Your contributions to the community will impact the lives of generations, and for your innovation, the City will forever be grateful.”

Peter Kinder, former state lieutenant governor and state senator, honored him at a Jan. 5 meeting of Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club, of which Rex was a member. He praised his positive example.

“Thank you for your gift of encouragement.

Thank you for your dry sense of humor.

Thank you for joining us here at Lions,” he said.

John Mehner, former president of Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, said Rex had a dynamic personality.

Liz Haynes, director of Old Town Cape, pointed to Rex’s community service but said his faith was inspiring.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rex on several projects and in several organizations. He is a big personality and fun to be around. He may break out into song or he may pause and lead a prayer. Rex and Sherry did many things behind the scenes to help people in this community. I miss Rex tremendously,” he said.

“Rex’s faith in God is absolutely astounding. To be faced with the battle he has had and to remain steadfast in his belief in God has been such an inspiration to me,” she said. “I’ve so admired Rex and Sherry’s deep-seated love for one another.

What a remarkable union between two extraordinary individuals who are truly the loves of each other’s lives! I am forever grateful to have crossed paths with Rex.”

John Thompson, interim executive director, Cape Area MAGNET, spoke about his friend’s ability to connect with people.

“Rex is a handsome rascal, with an infectious smile that he uses to make all who he encounters feel very special. Truly a gift,” he noted. “And his humor? Well, let’s just say that Rodney Dangerfield doesn’t have anything over Rex.”

Rust Communications operates eight newspapers in Arkansas: Carroll County News in Berryville, Lovely County Citizen in Eureka Springs, NEA Town Courier in Blytheville, Villager Journal in Cherokee Village, The News in Salem, Osceola Times, Clay County Times-Democrat in Piggott, and Poinsett County Democrat-Tribune in Trumann.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette promotes Gaines to executive editor Eliza Gaines has been promoted to executive editor of the Arkansas DemocratGazette, Publisher Walter E. Hussman Jr. announced on Monday. Gaines is the first woman in the 143-year history of the newspaper to hold that position.

The last person to hold the title of executive editor at the state’s largest newspaper was Griffin Smith, who resigned in May 2012.

Gaines, who was named to Editor & Publisher magazine’s list of “25 under 35” rising stars in the newspaper industry in 2021, is Hussman’s daughter and the fourth generation of the Hussman family to be in the newspaper business.

For the past two years, Gaines has served as the Democrat-Gazette’s managing editor, the first woman to hold that position as well.

Prior to that, she was WEHCO Media’s vice president of audience development, an editor of The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs and a travel reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. Gaines earned a

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina in 2012, and sits on the APA Board of Directors.

“I’ve been impressed with the way Eliza has handled the increase in resources and responsibility,” said Nat Lea, president and CEO of WEHCO Media. “The move from The Sentinel Record to the DemocratGazette newsroom has gone very well. I know the time is right for Eliza to use this additional position to further improve our coverage.”

“I’m honored and thrilled to become the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s executive editor,” said Gaines. “My goal as executive editor is to devote more time and energy to the quality of our news products. We aren’t just a newspaper anymore, and we must maximize the technological capabilities of our digital platforms. We are the largest news source in the state, and I want to expose new readers to all of our products and remind existing subscribers why their investment matters.”

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Gaines and her husband Alec Gaines will welcome their fourth child in March.

She plans to take a leave of absence from the end of February until the beginning of September, but will be involved in newsroom decisions as executive editor during her maternity leave.

January 13, 2022

www.arkbar.com

Statewide Legal Association Founded in 1898, the Arkansas Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state.

As a voluntary organization of more than 5,000 members, we support leadership development and public service.

The Arkansas Bar Association is your link to experts in the legal profession The Arkansas Bar Association is where the leaders in the legal profession connect. We serve as the central point of engagement for educating attorneys, participating in pro bono work, educating the public about legal issues and helping to promote the integrity of the legal profession. Explore our website or give us a call today to connect with the experts.

Karen K. Hutchins Executive Director khutchins@arkbar.com 501-801-5663

Public Education Handbooks for young adults and survivors of domestic violence, as well as civic education videos can be found for free downloads on our website. Annual high school mock trial competitions are held annually.

Legislative Advocacy The association is the trusted and collective voice of Arkansas attorneys. We focus on improving the legal system in Arkansas and assisting in the enactment of laws.

Texarkana Gazette REMINDER - Input from weekly newspaper publishers sought for research study editor Busby to leave position Publishers of weekly The research team is led by Teri newspapers in Arkansas are being asked to complete this 5-minute survey giving input on what they think the industry’s future business model should be. The link to the survey is https://tinyurl.com/ weeklymodel. Those who complete the survey by January 23 can enter a drawing to win a $100 gift card.

Finding business model solutions for weekly newspapers is the top priority of 2022 for a multi-state team of journalism researchers, state newspaper association directors and journalists.

Finneman, a journalism professor at the University of Kansas, and also includes the South Dakota Newspaper Association, the Kansas Press Association and journalism researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Minnesota and University of Tennessee.

The team will spend the next year working on surveys and focus groups for publishers and readers to create sample business model strategies.

“We know there will not be a one-size-fits all solution, which is why it’s critical that we hear from as many publishers as possible, to know what can work and what can’t,” said Finneman. “We have a stellar team that knows community journalism working on this project and hope we can make a difference.”

New documentary showcases De Queen Bee

After more than three decades at the Texarkana Gazette, Christy Busby Worsham is leaving her post as managing editor for a position with a financial services firm.

Busby joined the Texarkana Gazette in 1990 after graduating from The University of Texas in Austin with a bachelor of journalism degree. During college she had internships at the Sulphur Springs News Telegram and Tyler Morning Telegraph.

She was promoted to associate city editor in 1996, then assistant city editor in 1997.

She became city editor in early 2002 and took the managing editor position in 2015.

“She will be deeply missed,” said Gazette editor Les Minor. “Christy excelled in every position she ever held at the Texarkana Gazette. She was a complete and exacting journalist.”

“Christy brought a balance and consistency to the day-to-day operations of our editorial department that I’ve not seen before,” said James Bright, general manager of the Texarkana Gazette. “Her talents will be missed, but I know she will do great things wherever she goes.”

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

A newly released documentary, “A History of the De Queen Bee Co.”, highlights the history of the De Queen Bee Co. and its newspapers, the weekly De Queen Bee and the former De Queen Daily Citizen.

The film is available on YouTube at https:// youtu.be/cs18Bz5Jb5k as well as at dequeenbee.com.

The 90-minute film was the creation of De Queen Bee editor Marty Bachman, who began the project in October to celebrate The Bee’s upcoming 125th birthday on June 4, 2022. The Bee was founded one day after the city of De Queen first incorporated, so both entities will turn 125 years old that weekend.

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The documentary features the experiences of past and present employees as well as avid readers from the community.

“The De Queen Bee Co. newspapers have played a leading role in the affairs of the city of De Queen and Sevier County these past 125 years,” said Bachman, who has been editor of the The Bee since September 2017. “For decades, The Bee and the Daily Citizen were the only sources of information available to people that lived and worked here and even today, at 125 years old, it continues to be the primary source of news and information exclusive to De Queen and Sevier County.”

January 13, 2022

Guest Column: Into the Issues:

Associated Press lets non-member weeklies republish its investigative story about 2020 election fraud

By Al Cross Almost a year ago, this column urged community newspapers to tell their readers the truth about the 2020 presidential election — that it was fairly held — to debunk the falsehoods believed by millions.

The truth has prevailed among most Americans, but not among most Republicans, and that’s a real problem for democracy – and for journalism, which is supposed to serve it.

A poll for the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research in October found that almost two-thirds of Republicans and Donald Trump voters thought votes in the election were not counted accurately. Worse yet, more than half said they didn’t think the counts in this year’s midterm elections would be accurate.

Another poll taken about the same time by Marist College asked, “How much do you trust that elections are fair?” Sixty percent of U.S. adults (and 60% of independents) said “a great deal” or “a good amount,” but the partisan divide was stark: 86% of Democrats trusted elections; 64% of Republicans said “Not very much” (36%) or “Not at all” (28%).

If tens of millions of Americans have lost faith in the democratic process, they must also be losing faith in democracy. This appears to be caused mainly by the lies and other falsehoods about the 2020 election.

In stories that mention those falsehoods, most major news media dutifully repeat the fact that there was no election fraud significant enough to change the outcome.

But most of the folks who believe those falsehoods don’t believe most major news media.

There’s a lot more trust in community news media, especially community newspapers. But most community papers are not inclined to wade into national issues, and Trump and the 2020 election have become so controversial and divisive that some community papers have even stopped carrying letters to the editor about topics beyond their localities, much less writing stories, columns or editorials.

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

So, should we stop telling certain truths because certain people don’t want to hear them?

Issues, so I asked for and received AP’s permission to republish the story on The Rural Blog.

No, and certainly not in this case. We cannot sit by and allow faith in democracy to be undermined; that is the beginning of the end of American journalism as we know it.

That seemed fairly easy, but I had another request: Allow weekly newspapers that don’t subscribe to AP to republish the story, and a sidebar story giving details on the investigation in each state.

How do we tell the truth? By putting in the news columns the most reliable and authoritative reports about the election, and amplifying them with editorials or columns.

The most reliable, authoritative and trusted news organization in the world is The Associated Press. In December, after months of investigation in the six states that were most closely decided in the 2020 election, AP published a story saying there were far too few cases of voter fraud in those states to make a difference in the election. Here’s the lede: “An Associated Press review of every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states disputed by former President Donald Trump has found fewer than 475 — a number that would have made no difference in the 2020 presidential election.

“Democrat Joe Biden won Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and their 79 Electoral College votes by a combined 311,257 votes out of 25.5 million ballots cast for president. The disputed ballots represent just 0.15% of his victory margin in those states.”

The story also said, “The review also showed no collusion intended to rig the voting. Virtually every case was based on an individual acting alone to cast additional ballots.”

This 454-word story probably didn’t get much play among AP members, since it merely confirmed facts that major news media had been reporting for almost a year. But what about news media that aren’t AP members?

Those news media are perhaps my largest area of service as director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community 8

Adam Yeomans, AP’s regional director for the South, took the request to his superiors, and it was approved. AP had its own requests, including that The Rural Blog include links to both stories, and that weeklies posting them also include the links (except in electronic versions of their print editions).

The AP executives also asked that we have a call this month, “what if any impact you found from the weeklies getting access to a report like this.” I want to be able to report that hundreds of weekly newspapers used the story.

But what about the impact?

A little over a year ago, in a column about pandemic misinformation, I wrote, “Changing strongly held beliefs is not a job for newspapers. But not all beliefs are strongly held, and a lot of people aren’t sure what to believe – partly because social media dominates the debate and amplifies the extremes.” So, there are readers who will pay attention to the story, and perhaps think differently about what happened in November 2020.

And if they do, will it make much difference in Americans’ warped public opinion about the election? Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Especially because that warped opinion undermines citizens’ faith in the democratic process, of which journalism is an essential part. We have to stand up for democracy, and for the truth.

Al Cross edited and managed rural newspapers before covering politics for the Louisville Courier-Journal and serving as president of the Society of Professional Journalists. He is extension journalism professor at the University of Kentucky and director of its Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, which publishes The Rural Blog at http://irjci.blogspot.com.

January 13, 2022

“Serving the newspapers of Arkansas since 1873”

Arkansas Press Association Board of Directors President Ellen Kreth Madison County Record, Huntsville First Vice President Lori Freeze Stone County Leader, Mountain View Second Vice President Eliza Gaines Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock Tom White Advance-Monticellonian Monticello Britt Talent Cleveland County Herald, Rison Kelly Freudensprung The Saline Courier, Benton John Robert Schirmer Nashville News-Leader Jennifer Allen Hot Springs Village Voice

Jim Perry Phillips Media Immediate Past President Rusty Turner Northwest Arkansas DemocratGazette, Fayetteville,

Ashley Kemp Wimberley Wimberley Executive Director

TO: APA Member Newspaper--Advertising Department FROM: Terri Cobb, Contest Coordinator Rulesand for 2022 APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest Subject: Rules Categories for 2022 APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest The APA Better Newspaper Advertising contest continues as an online format and process. Be sure and read the contest rules and categories thoroughly before starting. Instructions for submitting your entries are on the following pages but also on the APA Contest website: http://www.newspapercontest.com/Contests/ArkansasPressAssociation.aspx http://www.newspapercontest.com/Contests/ArkansasPressAssociation.aspx Contest Period: January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 DEADLINE for submitting entries is JANUARY 31, 2022.

Members of the Wisconsin Press Association will judge your online entries in February. You will be notified of winner’s names but specific award announcements and award plaques will be presented at the APA Advertising Conference in March.

Please give me a call or email (terri@arkansaspress.org ) if you have any questions or need to obtain your login information.

Good luck.

2022 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, 2021 - December 31, 2021.

3. DEADLINE for submitting entries is January 31, 2022.

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 - Daily Circulation 10,000 or less Div. 3 - Daily Circulation Over 10,000

Div. 4 - Non-Daily Circulation 3,000 or less Div. 6 - Non-Daily Circulation Over 3,000

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.

2022 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Advertising Contest | 1

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.

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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.

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Classified Ads 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.

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