The Hudson Reporter newspapers recently received awards for nine of their best newspaper stories and advertisements, in the annual Better Newspaper Contest run by the New Jersey Press Association.
The company’s staff writers won two awards for stories that appeared in the Hoboken Reporter, Bayonne Community News, and the Jersey City Reporter. Members of the graphics and sales staffs won six awards for ads that appeared in the Weehawken Reporter, Bayonne Community News, Hoboken Reporter, and Jersey City Reporter, and the company’s classified department won an award for Best Real Estate Display ad.
The newspaper chain, with offices in Hoboken and Bayonne, publishes nine newspapers: The Hoboken Reporter, Bayonne Community News, Weehawken Reporter, Jersey City Reporter, Secaucus Reporter, North Bergen Reporter, Union City Reporter, West News York Reporter, and Midweek Reporter.
Two awards for news stories
Both a news story and a series of stories were singled out by the NJPA for recognition, both of them team efforts.
First place in the Fresh Approach to Routine Reporting category went to the entire staff for a tongue-in-cheek backward glance at the July 2009 FBI political corruption arrests of public officials. “Dining With Dwek,” in the Jersey City Reporter, focused on the fact that most of the contacts between government informant Solomon Dwek and various officials took place at a handful of restaurants throughout Hudson County. The reporters discussed the meals eaten by the politicians who met with Dwek, and how they got their just – er, desserts.
The story was written by beat reporters E. Assata Wright, Adriana Rambay Fernandez, Stephen LaMarca, Santo Sanabria, Ray Smith, and Al Sullivan.
Wright, Smith, and Sullivan also were awarded third place in the very competitive Responsible Journalism category for a series of articles in the Bayonne, Jersey City, and Hoboken papers about the trend toward Hudson County’s hospitals being purchased and turned for-profit. The trio wrote numerous stories about sales of hospitals in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken.
“It’s easy for people to forget some of the really big issues we shine a light on every week, and the award for our continued reporting on the hospital situation – a life-and-death matter for some – really showed our reporters’ dedication to public service,” said Editor-in-Chief Caren Matzner. “The hospital coverage by Assata, Al, and Ray wasn’t anything sensational, just important community journalism that took hours. I’m proud of all of the awards and of all departments for working together to create such a worthwhile product every week.”
She added: “The Dwek story was a light way to get people’s attention about the heavy topic of corruption and its consequences. Anything that entices more readers to look at hard news is a worthy endeavor.”
“This year’s awards demonstrate the collaborative effort needed to put out a quality newspaper from all departments.” – Dave Unger
___________
Advertising awards
In the retail portion of the contest, Art Director Jennifer Martiak and the entire sales staff won first place statewide in the Best Newspaper Promotion Ad or Series category for an ad titled “Too Hot to Cook” that appeared in the Weehawken Reporter.
“I am truly blessed to work with such creative people,” Martiak said. “Both our graphics and editorial personnel work so hard and under such tight deadlines, that it is an honor to see them recognized.”
Another First Place for Best External Special Promotion was awarded to Senior Graphic Designer Lisa M. Cuthbert and sales representatives Toni Anne Calderone and Joe Calderone for an ad titled “Hey Baby… It’s You!” that appeared in the
Hoboken Reporter. In the same category, Cuthbert and the sales staff won second place for an ad that appeared in the Jersey City Reporter titled “Pump it up.”
“I want to congratulate my colleagues on their achievements,” said Cuthbert. “Personally, I feel honored to have won so many awards, as it’s always an accomplishment to be recognized by your peers.”
Senior Graphic Designer Pasquale Spina and sales representative Ron Kraszyk received second place for Best Single Ad of any size for an ad in the Bayonne Community News for the European Day Spa.
“Recognition like winning the 2011 NJPA awards is applauding the individual and team spirit within our company,” Spina said, “which believes every day in itself to make it happen.”
Two third-place awards were given for ads that appeared in the Bayonne Community News. In the Best External Promotion category, “Spring Home Improvement” by Cuthbert and Ron Kraszyk was recognized. In the category Best Special Pages, “Bayonne Town Center Holidays” won third place for Cuthbert, Advertising Manager Tish Kraszyk and sales rep Ron Kraszyk.
First place for “Best Real Estate Display Ad” was awarded to Martiak for an ad titled “Shore Lifestyle: Wonderful Family Community” that appeared in the Weehawken Reporter.
“I’m very pleased that the NJPA has recognized our fine team of writers and artists,” Advertising Director Kraszyk said. “Their talent and creativity generates enthusiasm among the advertising team and helps make our jobs a little easier.”
Publishers pleased
Newspaper co-publishers Lucha Malato and Dave Unger were very pleased with the awards.
“The staff of the Hudson Reporter is dedicated and conscientious,” Malato said. “They do excellent work and I am very proud to have this recognized by a group of their peers.”
Unger said, “This year’s awards demonstrate the collaborative effort needed to put out a quality newspaper from all departments. It’s rewarding to have our efforts recognized by our industry peers. I’m very proud of our staff and the work they do every day.”
The Spring Awards Banquet for retail and classified advertising and online advertising winners will be held on Thursday, April 12 at The Manor in Hamilton. Press Night for editorial, online (editorial) and photography awards will be presented during Press Night at The Manor on Thursday, April 26.