Arkansas Publisher Weekly: February 2, 2023

7

President Joe R. Biden asked to call on Congress to pass the Journalism Competition and Preservation

Act

8

Guest Column:

We’ve got some explaining to do

By John Foust

Arkansas lawmakers floating legislation to overhaul state’s public notice requirements; APA is against

By Wesley Brown

As lawmakers seek to change the state’s long-held law on how public notices are disseminated, experts are warning that such legislation will erode transparency and decimate Arkansas newspapers.

Under draft legislation circulating at the Arkansas State Capitol, lawmakers intend to eliminate a requirement that local governments publish public notices in newspapers and instead allow them to post the notices on their own websites. The 12-page draft also amends certain public notice requirements for elections, delinquent taxes and local municipalities without newspapers.

Richard Karpel, executive director of the Public Notice Resource Center, which partners with state press associations, said the draft proposal is problematic.

“This bill primarily targets with almost surgical precision the exact types of notices that should absolutely remain in newspapers and on newspaper websites — election notices and delinquent-tax notices,” said Karpel. “Election notices require as much transparency as possible because of all the doubt that has been cast on our elections by election deniers. And newspaper ads have historically done a great job in helping to collect overdue taxes; taking them out of newspapers and off their websites will mean local governments will collect less revenue.”

“We don’t understand why someone would want to pass a law requiring all of these notices to be published on a government website, even though few people will see them there,” said Karpel. “Why one would want to eliminate them from newspapers and their websites — which many more people see than government websites — raises troubling questions.”

Newspapers across the nation have traditionally been the first means to post public notices for specific operations of the government and certain business activities in civil legal proceedings. As such, APA is against the draft proposal.

Why Public Notice Should Remain in Newspapers

Along with open meeting and freedom of information laws, public notice is an essential element of the three-legged stool of government transparency

Since the first U.S. Congress, public officials have understood that newspapers are the best medium to notify the public about official matters because they contain the essential elements of public notice:

vs

Archivability

Publishing notices on the internet is neither cheap nor free

Arkansas lawmakers floating legislation to overhaul state’s public notice requirements; APA is against

Continued from Page 1

Newsprint is inherently superior to the internet for public notice because reading a newspaper is a serendipitous process.

We find things in newspapers we weren’t expecting to see. On the internet, we search for specific information and ignore everything else.

Citizens continue to learn about vital civic matters from newspaper notices.

Documented examples of people taking action and alerting their community after reading a newspaper notice are reported on a regular basis. (See page 10)

Verifying publication is di fficult-toimpossible on the web That’s why the courts subject digital evidence to far greater scrutiny than evidence published in newspapers

Significant numbers of people in rural areas still lack high-speed internet access. Those who are older than 65 or who have lower incomes or lack high-school diplomas are also cut o ff from the internet in far higher numbers than the average.

Wimberley also noted that many rural communities across Arkansas still don’t have access to high-speed broadband services. Also, older Arkansans and those with lower incomes or lack high-school diplomas are cut off from the internet in far higher numbers than the average.

“Verifying publication is difficult to impossible on the web,” said Wimberley. “That’s why the courts subject digital evidence to far greater scrutiny than evidence published in newspapers.”

Moreover, the real digital divide for public notice is growing due to the massive migration to smartphones and other small-screen digital devices

Requiring independent, thirdparty newspapers to ensure that public notices run in accordance with the law helps prevent government officials from hiding information they would prefer the public not to see

Governments aren’t very good at publishing information on the internet. Unlike newspaper publishers, public officials aren’t compelled by the free market to operate e ff ective websites.

Grade

Rusty Turner, managing editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and APA Immediate Past President Ellen Kreth, publisher of the Madison County Record in Huntsville, both said the draft proposal eliminates both transparency and accountability on the part of government entities posting public notices. Turner said it leaves the responsibility for distributing this information solely to government agencies, while failing to say what penalties might ensue for not making this information accessible to the public.

“The value of publishing public notices via an independent third party like newspapers is well worth the cost. Citizens don’t have to rely on a single, government-controlled source for the kind of information found in public notices,” said Turner, an APA past president. “A local newspaper remains the best, most efficient ways to communicate information about elections, tax collections, government finances and any other matters to the general public. APA members publish this information in print and digital formats already, in searchable form and without charge to view it. Removing the requirement to do so makes the information harder to find.

“Making this information about how government works in as many formats as possible is good for our citizens and taxpayers,” continued Turner. “This bill would reduce the availability of it, and that won’t be good for anyone. It simply puts more power in the hands of the government.”

As part of a healthy democracy, Kreth said local communities depend on newspapers to deliver accurate and informative news to them.

APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley said the public understands there is a cost for government transparency, and even with that understanding, two-thirds of Arkansas adults believe public notices in newspapers should be required.

“One out of every two Arkansans rely on local newspapers for public notices and information regarding their local government. That is more than any other media source,” said Wimberley. “Newspapers across Arkansas still contain the essential elements of public notice: accessibility, independence from government, verifiability and archivability.” Continued on Page 3

“They know we hold government accountable and know they can count on us to be reliable and accessible,” said Kreth. “Furthermore, we are a group of small businesses in Arkansas. This would impact our industry financially. At a time when government transparency is needed the most, it would be unfortunate to attack a group of small businesses who provide hundreds of jobs and a vital service to our state.”

Under current state law, many government functions

Arkansas lawmakers floating legislation to overhaul state’s public notice requirements; APA is against

require notice to be published in a legal newspaper of general circulation. In the 2021 legislative session, APA successfully staved off any efforts to remove public notices altogether, thanks to the collaborative work of its membership. However, Arkansas lawmakers enacted a new law requiring cities and counties to disclose the cost of each public notice with each newspaper publication.

Act 954 of 2021 requires legal notices purchased by municipalities and counties in Arkansas to contain information about which public entity paid for the notice and how much was paid. The new requirement pertains to publications of new city or county ordinances, bid solicitations, delinquent tax lists, and other notices paid for by cities and counties. The requirement does not extend to any other public notices, and only those legally required publications placed by Arkansas cities or counties or entities of those cities are counties that are subject to the act.

According to the Association, 84% of Arkansans still see newspapers and their websites as their most trusted source for public notices. There are 100 legal newspapers in Arkansas covering all 75 counties.

“These newspapers are also small businesses and are important to the fabric of communities statewide,” said Wimberley.

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

In addition to public notices printed in local newspapers and e-editions, you can also visit arkansaspublicnotices.com to search Arkansas's public notices.

In addition to public notices printed in local newspapers and e-editions, you can also visit arkansaspublicnotices.com to search Arkansas's public notices.

In addition to public notices printed in local newspapers and e-editions, you can also visit arkansaspublicnotices.com to search Arkansas's public notices.

You may also subscribe by keyword on the website to receive email/text notifications.

You may also subscribe by keyword on the website to receive email/text notifications.

You may also subscribe by keyword on the website to receive email/text notifications.

411 South Victory Street, Little Rock AR 72201 (501) 374-1500 | arkansaspress.org

411 South Victory Street, Little Rock AR 72201 (501) 374-1500 | arkansaspress.org

APW scholarship

deadline is April 1

The 2023 Arkansas Press Women scholarship contest is now open for applications.

Arkansas Press Women awards a $1,000 scholarship each spring to an undergraduate student – male or female – who is planning a career in mass communications or journalism at an Arkansas college or university.

Malvern Daily Record promotes Cummins

Collie, urged her to apply for a vacant position.

In an article announcing the promotion, Cummins said she looks forward to continuing the traditions of the local newspaper while adding some new modern twists.

“I’m excited for the new things happening. We are growing and looking forward to being a part of this community for many years to come,” Cummins said. “New things are coming. Our newspaper looks better and better every day.”

Funding for this scholarship comes from APW’s Maudine Sanders Education Fund. Maudine Sanders, who died in 2011 at age 87, was a previous owner of the Springdale Morning News and a long-time member and past president of Arkansas Press Women.

The deadline to apply for the 2023 scholarship is April 1. Visit https://bit. ly/3wIxGI6 to apply. For more information, contact Angie Faller, scholarship chair, at amfaller@ualr.edu

The Malvern Daily Record has announced the promotion of Michelle Cummins, previously Advertising Manager, to General Manager.

Cummins was working as a preschool teacher when she was hired to be part of the advertising team by then-Publisher Richard Folds in April 2003, after another MDR employee at the time, Stephanie

Regional Publisher and Advertising Director Rhonda Overbey said, “Michelle is a natural leader who cares deeply for her community. There is no better person to lead the Malvern Daily Record with integrity and passion. Michelle is an advocate for community news and advertising. I know the Daily Record team and community appreciate her years of service and her plans for the continued success of Malvern’s local news organization.”

A Malvern native, Cummins lives in the community with her husband, Rodney, and sons Blake, Steven and Austin.

Seyler named managing editor at MDR

Randal Seyler, recently named managing editor of The Saline Courier in Benton, will also serve at the Malvern Daily Record in the same role. The two newspapers are owned by Horizon Publications of Marion, Illinois.

I admit that I am hopelessly hooked on the printed newspaper. I love turning the pages and the serendipity of stumbling across a piece of irresistible information or a photograph that I wasn’t necessarily intending to read.

Prior to returning to Arkansas, Seyler most recently served as editor of the Georgetown Times in South Carolina. He previously was managing editor of The Courier in Russellville, the Jonesboro Sun and the El Dorado News-Times. He has also worked at newspapers in New Mexico and Florida.

“To me, community journalism is important, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than telling the stories of local people and organizations,” Seyler said.

Seyler holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Arkansas State University, and began his journalism career in 1986 at the former Berryville Star Progress and Eureka Springs Times-Echo. He is also

the author of the books, “Heads Up! Self Defense for Journalists” and the “Jehovah Moon: Texas Ranger” series of western adventure novels, of which so far there are six.

—Jill Abramson

Randal Seyler

Michelle Cummins

UP TO SOMETHING

Recently named an Arkansas Business Trendsetter City in Tourism Development, North Little Rock is always up to something fresh and bold.. From the development of Argenta Plaza - a catalyst for more than $50 million in economic development (with more in the works) - to the transformation of an old rock quarry into a multi-phase bike parkNorth Little Rock understands that tourism and quality of life directly correlate to local economy. The North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau plays critical roles in marketing, selling and promoting North Little Rock as a destination for leisure visitors, sports groups, meetings and conferences, reunions, events and festivals.

Get in Touch: Stephanie Slagle Director

of Marketing

sslagle@northlittlerock.org

NorthLittleRock.org

@exploreNLR

Daily Guard, Daily Citizen change publication days

Paxton Media, owner of The Batesville Daily Guard and The Daily Citizen in Searcy, announced a change in the publication days of those newspapers.

Starting this month, the two newspapers will be delivered by the U.S. Post Office on Wednesdays and Saturdays. According to an announcement printed in January, the change in frequency will affect neither the quantity nor quality of the content of the newspapers.

“You will see more robust print editions each week, with more local news, columnists and sports,” read the announcement printed in each newspaper. “Our commitment to high journalistic standards from our columnists, editors, reporters and contributors is unchanged.

“We are not reducing our news resources or raising rates; we are choosing to invest in quality content.”

Rising costs of delivery and associated postal rate increases were cited as the reason for the change.

Arkansas newspapers in need.

The publication also lists available job openings and other opportunities at Arkansas newspapers and associate member organizations.

Cooper has 15 years experience writing technical manuals in the manufacturing industry and holds an associate’s degree from Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. He will cover the Harrison City Council, Boone County Quorum Court and the Harrison School Board.

Cooper is new to Arkansas, having recently moved with his wife, Autym, and their four children from Orlando to the small Boone County community of Lead Hill.

In the announcement of his hire published Tuesday, Cooper said he believes the writing side of his new role should come naturally after so many years working as a technical writer.

“I am looking forward to getting acquainted with the people in Harrison and engaging in the many challenges of my new career,” he said.

Log Cabin Democrat’s Rutherford chosen as one of “25 Under 35”

Kolton Rutherford, senior reporter at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, was announced on Wednesday as one of Editor & Publisher’s “25 Under 35” Class of 2023.

Rutherford first started at the Log Cabin Democrat with a nine-week internship through the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation in the summer of 2020. He joined the staff as a full-time reporter in December 2020, but briefly left to work at Easter Seals Arkansas in 2021. He returned to the Log Cabin Democrat as Senior Reporter in June 2022.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a journalism emphasis and a minor in sports management from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Editor & Publisher’s annual “25 Under 35” class features “deserving honorees who are young, bright, highly skilled and capable of tackling whatever the changing news climate throws at them.” Previous honorees from the Arkansas journalism community include Stephanie Highfill of

the Hot Springs Village Voice in 2019 and Eliza Gaines of the Arkansas DemocratGazette in 2021.

Read more about E&P’s “25 Under 35” at editorandpublisher.com/stories/eps-25under-35,241993

We want to know about your new hires, retires and promotions!

in the Arkansas Publisher Weekly.

The Harrison Daily Times announced the hiring of Jay Cooper as associate editor and reporter.

Jay Cooper

Kolton Rutherford

President Joe R. Biden asked to call on Congress to pass the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act

Seven leading journalism, media and pro-consumer antitrust advocacy organizations on Monday sent a joint letter to President Joseph R. Biden calling on him to highlight, in his upcoming State of the Union address on February 7, the importance of local journalism. The letter highlights the urgent need for congressional action to preserve a strong democracy and a free press. Specifically, the letter urges President Biden to call on Congress to advance the bipartisan Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) (S. 673 and H.R. 1735). The legislation will give small, local news outlets the ability to join together in negotiations that will level the playing field with Big Tech platforms. Small and local publishers currently do not have the ability to negotiate jointly for fair payment to counter the dominant power of Big Tech platforms. That imbalance allows tech monopolies to capture the vast majority of U.S. digital ad revenue, leaving local publishers with little to reinvest in the production of high-quality journalism.

The organizations that signed on to the letter include the News/Media Alliance, National Newspaper Association, America’s Newspapers, Authors Guild, American Economic Liberties Project, Inter American Press Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association.

The letter outlines the plight of local news, in which news publishers have been forced to play by Big Tech’s rules of the digital advertising playing field for years, resulting in the loss of more than a quarter of U.S. newspapers since 2005 and the spread of news deserts across the country. In their letter, the groups underscore the importance of passing the JCPA as the best solution to ensuring news publishers are compensated fairly for use of their content by the dominant tech platforms, asking President Biden to call on Congress to pass the bill, which was introduced in the 117th Congress in 2021 and successfully marked up by the Senate Judiciary Committee last September. In addition, the groups ask Biden to call on Congress to pass the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which would incentivize investments in local journalism through the tax code.

The letter states in part:

“While America has long been a beacon of light when it comes to freedom of the press, that light has grown dimmer due to the monopolistic shadow of the Big Tech giants. The largest tech platforms dominate revenue streams online, with Google and Facebook in control of an estimated 60 to 70 percent of digital ad markets. These anticompetitive behaviors are further highlighted in the Justice Department’s recently filed lawsuit against Google, which alleges monopoly abuse by the company in the online advertising market.

To stop that light from going out and allow America’s free press to continue to contribute to our nation’s resilience and serve as a model of democracy to the world, we need bipartisan action from Congress. The local news outlets we represent and others that prioritize a free press ask that you use your State of the Union address to call on the House and Senate to urgently advance key legislation to your desk

that will help save local journalism.”

The JCPA has broad support, not only in Congress in both the House and the Senate (on both sides of the aisle –including 90 total co-sponsors), but also from over 300 consumer interest groups, unions, conservatives, advocacy groups and third-party organizations that have shown support for the JCPA by sending letters of support to the bill sponsors. In addition, over 24,000 individuals have signed a Change.org petition for the bill and nearly 1,000 editorials and op-eds in support of the JCPA have been published in newspapers in 48 states across the country. In a recent poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research for the News/Media Alliance, 70 percent of Americans said they support Congress passing the JCPA.

View the joint letter here

For more information about the JCPA, visit JCPABill.com

We’ve got some explaining to do

By John Foust

People usually say “no” to things they don’t understand. It’s a salesperson’s job to help prospects understand what he or she is selling. What makes media choice A better than choice B? What’s all this talk about target audiences being better than general audiences? Doesn’t that mean fewer buyers? If a business has been successful for a long time, why spend money on advertising?

You’re probably not worried about these things, but more than a few of your prospects are. There’s a natural tendency to think our prospects are keeping up with what we’re saying, when in reality, that may not be the case. We have to get in step with them before we can expect them to get in step with us.”

Christopher, a veteran ad salesperson, told me about an unusual misunderstanding with a prospect. “When he called to say he wanted to discuss his advertising outlays,” Christopher said, “I immediately thought about the budgeting process. As the conversation progressed, I realized that we were on two completely different wavelengths. He was referring to ad layouts, not ad outlays. We can laugh about it now, but at the time, it took a few

minutes before I was able to adjust to the situation.”

Think of a camera. When you use the setting to focus tightly on a photo subject, the background is blurred. Sometimes, we concentrate so much on the center of attention – the person on the other side of the desk – that we lose sight of the things that might be blurred to them.

Here are a few ideas which may help:

1. Think of different ways to explain things. Have plenty of examples in your toolbox. In one case, an analogy might be your best choice and in another, a demonstration may be most appropriate. “Even when I use a map or a chart, I explain the information as simply as possible,” Christopher said. “A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a picture with no explanation is not worth much in a sales presentation.”

2. Break it down into small pieces. Don’t bombard the other person with everything at once. Build your case one point at a time. What good is point number three, if they don’t understand points one and two?

3. Check for clarity. Sure, your sales explanations are crystal clear to you, but

how does the other person see them? Unlike a camera, there is no viewfinder in a sales meeting. So, we use other techniques to see if anything is blurry to them.

The most reliable way is to watch for body language and ask questions: “How does this look so far?” “When others see this chart, they often have questions. Does anything come to mind?” “Before we go any further, let me ask if this kind of information is what you need at this point?”

Good selling is a matter of becoming a professional explainer. By eliminating the blurred edges, you can help your prospects and clients see a much clearer picture.

(c) Copyright 2023 by John Foust. All rights reserved.

John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training. Email for information: john@johnfoust.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 Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 151 — House State Agencies – 1-18-23. Meeting on Jan. 25.

SJR1

Sen. King

An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution amend provisions to create the Arkansas Apportionment Commission. The commission shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The commission shall retain all records related to reapportioning the state for senators and representatives, including without 2 limitation all

Pending Introduced on 1-25-23. No upcoming meeting dates.

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. 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.

Div. 3 - Circulation Over 10,000

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.

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

Classified 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.

LOGIN, UPLOAD & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

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.