Arkansas Publisher Weekly: February 9, 2023

8

House

3 Guest Column:

campaign highlights importance of public notice

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Association Publisher

time to take inventory of your newspapers

As Arkansans get back to normal after three years of a global pandemic, one Garland County newspaper is finding that the best way to emerge from the COVID-19-induced isolation is by taking the village to the world.

To that end, the Hot Springs Village Voice has partnered with Premier World Discovery to offer its loyal readers and friends an opportunity to travel together to top vacation destinations across the globe. Based in Redondo Beach, California, Premier World is a global travel agency that specializes in escorted tours, unique rail tours, river cruise charters and other traditional travel programs.

Jennifer Allen, publisher of the Voice, said a Premier World travel representative approached her last year about offering a travel package to the newspaper’s readers. Although the travel agency had offered packages to some Arkansas banks, the Garland County weekly is the first newspaper in the state to partnered with them.

“They have a rep here in Arkansas, and he is very familiar with Hot Springs Village and us being a retirement community. They had partnered with other newspapers across the country, and he thought Hot Springs Village would be a perfect place for a travel club,” said Allen.

She also noted that the community no longer has a local travel agency to help assist residents with travel plans and vacations, so that opened the door for the newspaper and Premier World to introduce an online travel club to the community of more than 16,000 residents.

“We used to have a travel agency in The Village pre-COVID, but they ended up closing,” said Allen. “So, this (travel club) appeared to come at the perfect moment.”

On May 14, the “Hot Springs Village Voice Travel Club” will depart from Arkansas for its first destination, the “Great Trains, Great Canyons” tour. That six-day, all-inclusive excursion will begin with a flight from the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock to Phoenix. There, the Arkansas travel club will board a luxury motorcoach and journey north to an upscale retirement and artist community in Sedona, Arizona, near Oak Creek Canyon.

HSVV offers readers a chance to travel the globe

Continued from Page 1

Over the next five days, that resort in Sedona will serve as the home base for the Arkansas travelers as they make daily excursions by rail or motorcoach to several memorable and historic Arizona destinations, including Grand Canyon National Park, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Chapel of the Holy Cross. For the remainder of 2023, the newly created travel club has plans for other multi-day excursions in both the United States and abroad. They include the “Cape Cod & The Islands” tour in the Boston area in August and the “New York City holiday” tour in early December. The overseas trips include the “Treasures of Ireland” tour and “Burgundy and Provence, France River Cruise” that will depart on Oct. 17 and 25, respectively.

Allen said she has been surprised by the “overwhelming response” from the newspaper-sponsored travel club. The Voice publisher said more than 160 people attended a series of informational meetings in late January announcing the travel plans.

“We have had a really good response from people buying the trips,” said Allen. “One thing that is interesting is that we’ve had several people sign up who are single and don’t have a travel partner. They said this is kind of a safe way to travel and see and do things, and be with a group of people you already know.”

Allen will be participating in the first trip

to Arizona and will likely write stories and take photos for the local weekly. The trip will be the first time she has participated in a multiday group travel excursion.

“I will see what group travel is all about, and this will be my first time,” Allen said laughing. “I would love to go on every single one of them, but I don’t think it is possible.”

The first trip to Arizona is almost fully booked with only a few limited spaces left, and Allen said the summer tour will be sold out by the end of the month. Spaces for the other four multi-day tours, which will have a maximum of 40 to 50 travelers, are already starting to fill up, she said.

Allen noted that participants in the newspaper-sponsored travel club largely include Voice subscribers, Hot Springs Village residents and their family members. But, other travelers outside the private community have learned about the trip from the newspaper, travel brochures, or by word-of-mouth. Also, some travel club members have decided to join two or more of the tours.

“Within the first week of that we made our announcement and had our (in-person) seminar, we sold several dozen trips,” said Allen, adding that she did not want to divulge the exact number of sales. “It has been very popular, and people are coming from all over.”

Founded in the early 1970s, Hot Springs Village is the largest private, gated

community in North America. Known for its natural beauty and scenic location at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, the retirement community stretches across 26,000 largely wooded acres in Garland and Saline counties and offers many amenities, including 12 lakes, 9 golf courses, 30 miles of walking trails and more than 200 clubs, churches and other organizations.

Over the past decade the community has seen rapid growth. The community population jumped 24% from 12,807 in 2010 to 15,861 residents, according to 2020 census data. In the three years since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, that total has jumped another 5.76% to 16,776, U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

That strong growth provided the Hot Springs Village Voice with an opportunity to offer something unique to its readers and subscribers, said Allen.

“Basically, we just saw an opportunity. We are taking a chance to see how it goes this year. We are really pleased with how it is going at the moment, and I am thinking this is something we will continue to do in the future,” she said.

Anyone interested in the Hot Springs Village Voice Travel Club tours can get more information on the destinations online at hotspringsvillagevoicetravelclub. convertri.com or by calling toll-free 1-877953-8687.

House ad campaign highlights importance of public notice

Last week, APA released a series of five house ads drawing attention to the importance of public notice and the dangers of relying on government-based websites for notice dissemination.

APA asks that member newspapers run the ads as often as possible, both in print and on social media, to reiterate the importance of transparency and printed public notice in Arkansas’s newspapers.

“As the legislative session continues, it is vital we communicate the importance of public notice in Arkansas newspapers,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley

“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 still contain the essential elements of public notice: accessibility, independence from government, verifiability and archivability.”

The ads were sent by email to every member newspaper on Wednesday, Feb, 1, and in JPEG format on Thursday, Feb. 2. If you would like to request them again, or have any questions about the campaign, email ashley@arkansaspress. org

The upside of web-based journalism is that everybody gets a chance.The downside is that everybody gets a chance.

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APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest deadline approaches; ad conference keynote speaker set

Graphic designers and advertising professionals at APA member newspapers have just over two weeks left to gather their most creative and eye-catching work from the 2022 calendar year for submission to the annual APA Better Newspaper Advertising Contest.

The contest recognizes the best advertising categories including single ad, ad campaign, special section, best photo in advertising and many more.

This year’s entries will be judged by members of the Mississippi Press Association. Award announcements and first-place plaques will be presented at the annual APA Advertising Conference at the Red & Blue Events Venue in Little Rock on April 28.

Marianne Grogan, president of Coda Ventures in Nashville, Tenn., will be the keynote presenter at this year’s ad conference. Grogan’s primary focus is working with newspaper clients to deliver high quality, innovative audience and strategic research to help sustain and grow revenue. In her session, she will take participants through the results of the Arkansas statewide study commissioned by APA to show how the data can be used by newspapers to have successful sales conversations.

Entry deadline for the ad contest is Tuesday, Feb. 28. Complete contest rules and instructions for entering are on the APA contest website at newspapercontest.com/Contests/ArkansasPressAssociation.aspx. If you have questions about the contest or the online submission process, contact Terri Cobb at (501) 374-1500 or email terri@arkansaspress.org

Journalism educator Keith honored by Press Women

Arkansas Press Women recently honored Dr. David Keith, journalism lecturer and advisor of The Echo, the student newspaper, at the University of Central Arkansas.

Keith, the recipient of the organization’s Carol M. Griffee Memorial Scholarship in 2014, received a certificate of recognition from APW President Kristin Netterstrom Higgins for “embody[ing] the personal qualities for which Carol Griffee was widely known and respected: integrity, commitment to accuracy and excellence, and unwavering support of the First Amendment and the Freedom of Information Act.”

“Carol would be proud of him, and how he fosters the next generation of journalists,” Higgins said.

Keith has been teaching at UCA since 2005. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in journalism from Arkansas State University and University of Arkansas-Little Rock respectively, and completed his Ph.D in Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2021. Prior to joining the faculty at UCA he worked for 15 years at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, 11 of those as managing editor. He also worked for many years as a reporter for the Jonesboro Sun

Keith said that he was “absolutely floored” by receiving the honor.

“It was completely unexpected and I would say unwarranted, but I am very appreciative of it and thankful for the recognition,” he said. “When it happened, it made me think a lot about what I have done over the past eight years since I got the scholarship, about Carol, and how I have grown as a journalist, student and professor since then. I appreciate Arkansas Press Women for thinking of me this way.”

Arkansas Press Women is an association of professional communicators in journalism, public information, business, education and government and is affiliated with the National Federation of Press Women. Organized in 1950 as Arkansas Newspaper Women and incorporated in 1975, APW is open to communications professionals of any gender.

SPJ 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards open for entries

The Society Of Professional Journalists

Arkansas Pro Chapter is accepting entries to the 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards. Open to professional and student journalists and freelancers, participants can submit entries on their own or have entries submitted on their behalf by the news organizations that published or broadcast their work.

Several Diamond Honors awards are named for notable late APA members.

The Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award for focused coverage of a community or neighborhood is named in honor of the late Garrick Feldman, publisher of The Leader in Jacksonville and a proponent of strong local journalism. The Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award is named in honor of the late Charlotte Schexnayder, publisher of the Dumas Clarion and Arkansas legislator, recognizes journalism that seeks to benefit society through extensive coverage of an issue facing a community, state or region. Finally, the Robert S. McCord FOI Award honors coverage that focuses on the public’s right to know and carries on the legacy of the late journalist Robert McCord, a former national SPJ president who is considered the father of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Entry deadline is March 31. Membership in the Society of Professional Journalists is not required for entry. For more information or to enter, visit arkansasspj.org.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Information Act signed into law

Next Tuesday is the 56th anniversary of the signing of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act into law.

The FOIA was drafted in 1966 by Sigma Delta Chi, now the Society of Professional Journalists. Both houses of the legislature approved the bill without a dissenting vote.

Signed into law on Feb. 14, 1967, the Arkansas FOIA provides guidelines on what constitutes a public meeting and provides requirements for notifications when regular or special meetings of public governing bodies are scheduled. The FOIA also establishes what qualifies as a public record and provides guidelines for public access to those records.

In this photo, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller signs the Freedom of Information Bill (Act 93) into law on Feb. 14, 1967. To the left is Sigma Delta Chi President Robert McCord, party to the lawsuit Laman v. McCord which led to the 1968 decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court that established the framework for interpreting the state FOIA in ways that favored public access to meetings and government papers. On the right are Sen. Ben Allen and Rep. Leon Holsted

Guest Column: Prime time to take inventory of your newspapers

By Jim Pumarlo

Here’s a periodic action item for every newspaper: The exercise can be quite revealing in evaluating how you are connecting with various audiences. It is even more important in today’s fractured media landscape and as everyday interaction can still be challenging in the aftermath of the pandemic.

For starters, ask reporters to identify the community newsmakers in a brainstorming session. Better yet, divvy up newspapers from the last several weeks and circle the names and faces in the stories and photos.

Then identify those folks who appear with some regularity. Several individuals are likely to be on the list, no matter the community: for example, the mayor and city council president; the superintendent and school board chair; the county’s chief administrator and the county board chair; local legislators.

You get the drift. Newsrooms by and large do a commendable job of writing for the source, especially when it comes to public affairs reporting. Public officials speak, and their statements are recorded. They issue press releases, which often are published verbatim. They are fixtures in many photo ops.

Make no mistake: What public officials say and do warrant notice.

At the same time, newspapers are shortchanging their readers – their customers – if they do not expand their definition of newsmakers in community conversations. That means exploring and talking with all the players – those affected by the news as well as those making the news.

For example, consider a city council debate over whether to provide tax incentives for a big-box retailer to anchor a new strip mall on the edge of town. Broaden your reporting beyond the required public hearings. Will the discount store strengthen the city as a regional retail center? What’s the anticipated impact on downtown merchants? Investigate the experiences of similar developments in other towns. Do a man-on-the-street interview. Why should this commercial development receive special treatment when others have not?

Seeking and reporting these additional perspectives will enrich the community conversation on this important decision. The extra research will provide new names and faces.

Equally important in this exercise is examining daily routines. It’s only natural that content often is framed by your regular connections, How often do you get out of the office to connect with folks firsthand? Do you take the same route to and from work? Do you eat lunch at the same restaurant with the same friends? Do you attend the morning coffee roundtable at a local cafe? Do you belong to any service clubs? Do you ever talk with the individual or company who is the focus of a government proceeding?

Try this for starters. Connect with a new face – someone beyond your usual network –once a week, every other week, each month. These new contacts will appreciate the outreach, and you’ll be surprised how conversations may enrich news content.

Editors and reporters must constantly ask: Are we relevant to our community? Are

print and digital platforms dominated by the same set of newsmakers, or are we looking beneath the surface to identify the full cast of characters?

Scrutinizing coverage goes beyond examining the meetings and decisions of local governments. Routinely brainstorm all aspects of everyday coverage. It can be as easy as tracking down and inserting other voices beyond those provided in a press release or presented at an event.

Invite other members of the newspaper family to assist in the conversation; employees across your operations often represent a cross-section of the community. As you tackle a bigger news project, convene a roundtable of selected residents and solicit their ideas.

Expanding your bucket of newsmakers is all about going beyond the story served on a platter. Indeed, digging beneath the surface takes legwork – and it produces long-term benefits. The enhanced coverage is more interesting and relevant, and you’ll likely pick up some new readers.

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 pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com.

94th Arkansas General Assembly

Legislative Report

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

Bill No. / Author Short Description

HB 1099

Rep. Collins

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

https://bit.ly/3HcRslh

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

APA Position

Current Status

Passed

Supports Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 151 — House State Agencies – 1-18-23. Meeting on Jan. 25.

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.