By Ayala Ben-Yehuda
The TimesLedger Newspapers won five awards this year in the annual Advertising and Promotions Contest of the Suburban Newspapers of America, a record for the chain of 14 Queens weeklies, the SNA announced last week.
The press association, comprised of more than 2,000 newspapers in the United States and Canada, gave the TimesLedger five awards in categories ranging from graphic design of a classified section to general-interest advertising special section.
“It’s nice to get the recognition for the service we provide our customers,” said TimesLedger publisher Steven Blank.
Combined with five editorial awards announced earlier , the total number of SNA awards won by the TimesLedger this year comes to 10 — a record for the newspaper, said Blank.
The Little Neck Ledger won a second-place award in the classified category for its Special Opportunities employment section. The Flushing Times won third place in the classified category for its Tax Guide, and the Whitestone Times placed third in the graphically designed classified section category.
The Bayside Times won third place for the best single black-and-white advertisement outside of a special section, and the TimesLedger chain won third place in the general-interest advertising special section category for its 2002 anniversary issue.
“It’s exciting to win so many awards from the SNA,” said art director Jewell Davis. “We hope to continue to be competitive.”
Davis said this was the first year the Tax Guide and Special Opportunities sections won SNA awards. The graphic design award was particularly gratifying to Davis because only original artwork, not pre-made designs, can be entered into the SNA competition.
Blank said the quality of ad design at the newspaper was on a par with that of an advertising agency, bringing a high response rate to advertisers.
Classified advertising manager Bonnie Reunis said it took a combination of “a great sales effort” and support from the Art Department to produce an award-winning special section.
“I’m very proud of my staff,” said Reunis.
The TimesLedger Newspapers have the largest classified advertising section of any Queens newspaper.
Reach reporter Ayala Ben-Yehuda by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
