Arkansas Publisher Weekly: January 20, 2022

8

Guest Column:

Are you ready for the new year? Take inventory, prepare calendar

By Jim Pumarlo

9

APA Advertising Contest Rules and Categories

Arkansas Press Association

Publisher Weekly Vol.17 | No. 3 | Thursday, January 20, 2022 | Serving Press and State Since 1873

Editor explores the Blue Light Rapist case in fiction and in nonfiction Timothy Kessler, former editor of The Eagle-Democrat in Warren, has 42 years of journalism under his belt and authorship of two books on a true crime case that in the late 1990s drew national attention and terrified Arkansans.

The South Dakota native based his 2017 novel, “A Long Road to Nowhere”, on the Blue Light Rapist case after reporting for the Wynne Progress on the arrest and trial of Robert Todd Burmingham, the man ultimately convicted for two of the rapes, 20 years prior.

“The case stayed with me over all these years; I’ve never forgotten it,” Kessler says. “I don’t think Arkansas has had many serial rapists, and it’s one of the more sensational cases I’ve encountered.”

Then, in November, he published a second book about the case, “Death of the Blue Light Rapist”, this one a nonfiction true-crime account heavily based on documents he received from the Arkansas State Police as part of a comprehensive FOIA request. Both books are available for Kindle through Amazon.

“The documents didn’t come organized, just this record here or there,” Kessler says, “so most of my time was spent studying them and putting them in chronological order to make sense for readers.”

Continued on Page 2

APA advertising contest opens; Wisconsin Press to judge entries It’s time for APA member newspapers to submit their best advertising work from the past year to the 2022 Better Newspaper Advertising Contest, which honors the most innovative and effective ads and campaigns in newspapers across the state. All entries must have been published in 2021, and the Jan. 31 deadline to submit is fast approaching.

This year, Arkansas entries will be judged by volunteers from the Wisconsin Press

Association in February. The specific awards and their plaques will be presented at the 2022 APA Advertising Conference in March, though winners’ names will be released in advance.

“This is always a fun time of year for us to see all the creativity and advertising expertise published by our members.

No matter the size of the publication, the submissions always show the advertising excellence coming out of Arkansas.

I’m excited for the Wisconsin Press Association to see it, too”, says APA Executive Director Ashley Wimberley.

All entries must be submitted online at https://bit.ly/33T9UOo. Entrants are cautioned to read the category descriptions and instructions carefully before beginning their submissions. Please contact Terri Cobb at terri@ arkansaspress.org or 501374-1500 if you have any questions about the process.

Editor explores the Blue Light Rapist case in fiction and in nonfiction Continued from Page 1

From 1995 to 1997, a man posing as undercover police would put a blue flashing emergency light on top of his car, then pull over unsuspecting drivers, primarily women. The man would assault, kidnap and rape the blindfolded women before freeing them. Although the police only filed charges in four cases and got convictions in two, Kessler says there were a dozen rapes that occured with this modus operandi, and twice as many stops by the perpetrator that did not result in sexual assault. He believes a copycat rapist also being active during that time is not out of the question.

In 1997, Burmingham was tried and convicted for the rape and kidnapping of a 17-year-old girl. She had pulled over for what she thought was police before the ski-masked man pulled a gun on her, blindfolded and repeatedly raped her, then left her in a field. He was subsequently convicted of another rape that took place at the home of a 35-year-old woman in Wynne. Burmingham received two life sentences for the convictions.

Burmingham died in May 2020 at age 54 of COVID-19 while incarcerated at the Cummins Unit. After the prison experienced an early-pandemic outbreak of cases. At the time of Burmingham’s death, Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said the Blue Light Rapist investigation remains one of the largest investigations in Arkansas history, involving more than 50 state troopers in addition to officers of local police departments in central and eastern Arkansas.

Kessler says the title, “Death of the Blue Light Rapist”, doesn’t only refer to

Burmingham’s 2020 death. “It refers to the fact that after they convicted him, they really dropped the case,” Kessler says. “They had at least a dozen rapes committed, but only tied him through DNA to three and only tried two of the cases.

They also had at least two dozen stops using the blue light.”

He says one law enforcement official involved in the case was quoted in the New York Times, saying it could possibly be the work of a copycat. “They left open the possibility that there might have been more than one person,” Kessler says.

“But they never did pursue any of the other cases either against Burmingham or anyone else, despite having taken blood from a dozen men suspected during the investigation.”

Although Kessler says one or more copycats is a possibility, his aim in the nonfiction account was to present the never-before released facts of the state police investigation and let readers decide. “People can follow along with each turn of events, and they can draw their own conclusions from the evidence that is presented there,” he says.

A 2014 change in Arkansas’s criminal law regarding rape opened up the possibility for technological advances in DNA processing to reopen the unsolved Blue Light Rapist cold cases. “As long as you can get a DNA profile, there is no statute of limitations on the crime,” Kessler explains.

“They could still come up with DNA today and charge someone for the others. Of course, the technology has improved over the years, so they could get a better DNA profile these days.”

Two other laws sprang from the case. In 1997, following Burmingham’s arrest, the Arkansas Legislature made the purchase of blue police-style lights illegal for anyone outside law enforcement. Then in 2017 legislators passed Shannon’s Law, named after Shannon Woods, one of Burmingham’s victims. The law increased the penalties for not just purchasing illegal police lights for vehicles, but also possessing or selling blue lights, blue lens caps or any insignia that would help a person impersonate law enforcement, a change Kessler applauds.

Kessler’s journalism career stretches from his first newspaper internship at a South Dakota weekly in 1978 through stints at newspapers in Nebraska, Kentucky and South Carolina. He worked for several Arkansas publications including the Ashley News-Observer in Crossett, the nowdefunct Hope Star, the Wynne Progress and East Arkansas News-Leader and the El Dorado News-Times before his 10 years as editor of the Eagle-Democrat.

And, he’s still at it, even in retirement, which he enjoys with his wife, Melinda Kessler and their family. Besides writing and publishing books, although he has no current plans for more, and hiring himself out as a professional genealogist, Kessler reports he’s also been freelancing for the Saline River Chronicle, a wholly digital publication based in Warren.

“I didn’t quite make the 50 golden years the Press Association has an award for,” Kessler says,” but I’m writing for this online newspaper, so I’ve got 42 years and still going in the newspaper business.”

Arkansas Press Women Arkansas Press Women Arkansas Press Women Encouraging communicators since 19491949 Encouraging communicators since

Arkansas Press Women

Encouraging communicators since 1949

J O I N T O D A Y A T Encouraging J O I communicators N T O D A Y since A T1949 arkpresswomen.wordpress.com arkansaspresswomen.org J O I N T O D A Y A T arkpresswomen.wordpress.com arkansaspresswomen.org arkpresswomen.wordpress.com J O I N T& O D A Y ADevelopment T Contests,arkansaspresswomen.org Networking Professional arkpresswomen.wordpress.com arkansaspresswomen.org Contests, Networking &&Professional Developmen us @ArkansasPressWomen Contests, Follow Networking Professional Developmen

Contests, Networking &@ArkansasPressWomen Professional Development Follow us Follow us

Follow us Arkansas Publisher Weekly

2

@ArkansasPressWomen

@ArkansasPressWomen

January 20, 2022

Successful newspapers employ many hands.

Partner with us to optimize business annoucements, classifieds,obituraries and more.

Publish’s Life Stories

Set up a demo. devlyn@modulist.news 701-241-5545

Carson retires 2022 APA press decals distributed after 42 years at newspaper

Arkansas Press Association member newspapers are advised to watch their mail for the new 2022 “PRESS” auto window decals that were distributed this week.

The decals themselves offer no specific privilege or protection, but they are an easy way to signal to law enforcement officials and others that a vehicle is owned or operated by a working member of the press. Each APA newspaper will receive two 2022 decals, which are intended for publishers, editors, reporters and photographers.

Clay Carson, director of information technology for the Arkansas DemocratGazette, retired on January 10 after 42 years with the newspaper.

Carson became interested in photography during high school, and bought his first camera in 1978. After graduation he was a stringer for the Arkansas Gazette shooting football games. In 1979, he walked into the Arkansas Democrat and applied for a job.

“He got the job only because they needed someone, and he had a camera. He was told he had the job until they found somebody better. Thankfully, they had found the best, and he stayed for 42 years,” wrote his wife, Janet Carson, in an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article announcing his retirement.

Carson quickly established himself, first as a sports photographer, then as chief photographer, then as photo editor. In 1984 he started working with home computers, a novelty at the time. After the merger of the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette, he was asked to join the IT department as the newspaper became increasingly more digital. He ultimately accepted in 1991, and spent 30 years in the department until his retirement.

APA also produces working press ID cards which, like the window decals, are another benefit of association membership and offered free of charge to publishers, editors, reporters and photographers at APA member newspapers.

To request ID cards or additional car decals, email presscards@arkansaspress.org.

Times Record, Gannett moving to digital Saturday editions The Times Record in Fort Smith announced it is changing its publication schedule, eliminating Saturday home delivery and single-issue sales. Instead of a printed newspaper, starting March 26 subscribers will have access to a robust digital edition each Saturday. The digital replica paper will have the same look and feel, with news, advertisements, features and games. The digital edition will also have access to 200 USA TODAY replica editions from across the country and the USA TODAY crossword puzzle through the USA TODAY Network.

“Our commitment to covering Fort Smith and the River Valley has not changed, but as we focus on the future and adapting to the way people read news, we must change,” said Dann Miller, Arkansas state editor for the USA TODAY Network,

in a Jan. 14 story announcing the change.

“Many years ago, we only printed a newspaper but that transformed into a robust multi-media news operation that delivers news and information online, through email and mobile apps. Our printed newspaper continues to be an important part of the Times Record and our future. This shift in delivery frequency reflects the changes we have seen in our subscriptions and from our advertisers.”

Gannett, which owns the Times Record and the USA TODAY Network, announced it is making this change to digital Saturday editions at most of its daily newspapers.

The media company owns more than 100 daily newspapers and nearly 1,000 weekly newspapers, including four weeklies in Arkansas.

“Clay loves computers and technology,” wrote Janet Carson, “but he never lost that love of photography. In later years, he started covering high school football as a stringer again, and being the resident photographer on gardening tours he went on with me.”

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

4

January 20, 2022

Nominate publishers AP: Reporting Omicron stats requires who “do it right” extra diligence, not just case numbers Editor & Publisher magazine is now accepting nominations of publishers to be included in the annual March story, “10 News Publishers That Do It Right.”

The high-profile piece is not a “10 Best” list, but a compilation of news operations that have done something new and noteworthy. For example, the publisher might have completed a successful innovation, implemented a fresh costsavings procedure, earned a notable achievement at the outlet or developed exciting programs that have generated revenues or increased audience and reach.

Submit your nomination at editorandpublisher.com/stories/nominateyour-company-today-for-eps-10-thatdo-it-right,214799. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Jan. 31.

One of the few constants during COVID-19 pandemic has been that guidance on how to most accurately report the scope of the infections is always changing. That’s especially apparent with the sweeping Omicron surge, the Associated Press reports, as news outlets recalibrate how to report the latest figures in meaningful ways. The Associated Press has instructed its reporters not to focus on the increasingly unreliable case counts and one-day daily records of new cases in states or countries, and instead reframe stories through the lens of the surge’s effects.

Katherine Wu, a staff writer at The Atlantic who has been reporting on COVID-19, calls it “a data disaster.” Although news organizations are trying to tread lightly as they determine the most meaningful data to report, it is not a simple problem.

“It’s how journalism works,” Wu said. “We need the data. We need to show receipts to readers. But I try to do it carefully.”

That’s because the infections are more widespread than the reported daily cases, as few report positive home COVID-19 test results, and many more never get tested, either because they have concluded without testing that they have it, or don’t realize they are carrying the virus.

INDUSTRY QUOTE “ Why journalism? when students learn to make sense out of their world, they become the people who will transform it.

“

-John Spencer

LET’S GET SOCIAL

Numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have long been considered the true standard of the virus’ damage, says Tanya Lewis, senior editor for health and medicine at Scientific American, but she says with Omicron, hospitals are reporting seeing more incidental positive cases in patients hospitalized for other things, who test positive while there. The Atlantic’s Ed Yong, a Pulitzer-prize winner for his pandemic reporting, argues that those incidental COVID-19 patients still require extra care and isolation by already-drained clinical staff, and that the virus’ attacks on multiple systems is often the reason those patients’ primary diagnoses are requiring

hospitalization. But the data is murky.

NBC News has in the past week referred to the “skyrocketing” cases and the “tidal wave” of new infections, rather than emphasizing specific numbers. Likewise, other media organizations including CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post and New York Times have experimented with statistics such as reporting five-day averages, one- or two-week trends, or metrics such as the states with the highest reported numbers. A Jan. 10 Associated Press story, “Omicron explosion spurs nationwide breakdown of services,” featured numerous stats on hospital admissions and staff shortages, but eschewed mentions of case counts.

Josh Hoffner, an Associated Press editor who works on its pandemic reporting, said the case counts do have value but that the organization is encouraging reporters to “dig a little deeper and be more specific in reporting.”

Gary Schwitzer, a University of Minnesota School of Public Health instructor and publisher of HealthNewsReview.org, which monitors health coverage in the media, said the case counts matter because they illustrate which areas are being hit especially hard or where the surge may have peaked. Being able to predict which areas need more hospital staffing, for instance, depends on understanding the local stress put on the health system by infections.

“These are stories that may not be told adequately if only hospitalizations and deaths are emphasized,” Schwitzer said.

Lewis said another constant is that the dynamics of COVID-19 have proven often hard to predict. “We’ve been surprised time and again,” she said. “We don’t know everything about the course of the pandemic. We still need to be humble and keep an open mind in terms of where things are going.”

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

@ArkansasPressAssociation

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

@ARPressAssoc

5

January 20, 2022

Telling the Story of Giving in Arkansas At Arkansas Community Foundation we engage people, connect resources and inspire solutions that help build local communities. We’ve partnered with newspapers for 45 years to

Our aspirearkansas.org provides health, education, family and economic

spread the word about grants and programs available to nonprofits in all corners of our state.

Thank you for helping tell the story of local giving that helps

development data for all 75 counties.

meet community needs forever.

The Arkansas Nonprofit

Since 1976, the Foundation has provided more than $318

Directory at

million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. We want to help you tell your readers how smart

arcf.org/directory makes it easy to find

giving can improve communities. the nonprofits in your county that are working to make your community a better place to live.

Jessica Ford Chief Communications Officer jford@arcf.org 501-372-1116 arcf.org

Guest Column: Are you ready for the new year? Take inventory, prepare calendar

By Jim Pumarlo It’s standard procedure at many newspapers to chronicle headlines in year-end editions. The continuing social and economic impact of COVID-19 is certain to capture a lion’s share of attention in most communities. Other noteworthy events can include the passing of key individuals; the success, or maybe failure, of a civic project; milestones in sports achievements, election results or key community benchmarks.

That begs the question: Are you ready for 2022? All newsrooms should prepare an editorial calendar and review it regularly.

Yes, we are already weeks into the new year, but it’s not too late to develop a plan of action.

Many of the things you cover spanning hard news and features are the same year after year. Use the opportunity to explore new ideas and approaches for coverage.

When was the last time you’ve really examined reports on local government budgets, a community’s citizen of the year or United Way kickoff, the start of another school year or high school sports season, a civic fundraiser, the months-long election season?

Think across the spectrum of your community as you prepare a calendar.

Here are three areas.

Public affairs always demand attention beginning with meetings of local government bodies. Do you preview the important agenda items? Do you go beyond the votes and explain the impact of actions in real and understandable terms? Think outside meetings. Trace the process of how a recommendation reaches an elected body. Government bodies spend weeks, even months, preparing budgets before adoption.

Capital improvement projects are previewed – sometimes including a tour. A

What’s new this month?

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

school board seeks feedback on a variety of fronts before deciding whether to close and/or consolidate schools.

Also, consider stories that warrant special coverage. Has a longtime public official announced that this will be his or her last term? In that regard, look at the private sector, too. Is a company’s founder retiring, selling the firm? Are single issues dominating a government body or community-wide debate?

Sports present a staple of stories: the preview, the continuum of the regular season, the playoffs. Team performance can present challenges and opportunities.

How do you keep readers interested if a team suffers through a losing season, possibly not even winning a single game?

In contrast, what stories can be pursued if a team is headed for a championship season, maybe even going undefeated?

Again, brainstorm stories that may warrant special coverage. Is an athlete on the verge of achieving a scoring milestone? Might a coach notch a noteworthy victory? Is this the last season for a school in a sports conference due to league realignment?

Has a team suffered a revolving door of coaches in recent years?

Civic clubs are the fabric of communities.

The number of groups and the range of contributions mean editors are routinely approached with requests for coverage.

The “asks” range from the Lions Club annual brat feed fund-raiser to volunteer of the year recognition to a candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters. It’s impossible to produce a story and photo for each event. Communicate with organizations early and discuss the two elements of publicity: promotion and actual coverage. An even better idea is to produce guidelines that can be distributed to publicity chairs.

Some items warrant special coverage here as well. Is a club celebrating a significant anniversary? Is a local officer rising through the ranks in an affiliated state or national organization? Does a fund-raiser or other project have extra significance for a community?

Planning a calendar can be overwhelming.

These are but three areas in your entire menu of news. So take a slow approach.

Explore and outline your editorial calendar for the everyday regimen of news.

Then identify one new area where you’d like to bolster coverage. Announce it in a column, and set up a process for soliciting community feedback. Develop a plan of action and present it to readers.

Every newsroom is stretched for time and resources as you strive to produce stories that people like to read and stories that people should read. The pandemic continues to demand regular attention, making your tasks even more challenging.

Any additional time you give to planning your calendar is a win-win-win scenario for your newspaper, your readers and your community.

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.

CALENDAR 7

January 20, 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.

2022 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Advertising Contest | 2

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.

2022 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Advertising Contest | 3

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.

2022 Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Advertising Contest | 4