PRESS RELEASE - Las Vegas – Newspapers’ best online news, interactive communication and advertising programs received acclaim tonight during the presentation of Digital Edge Awards by the Newspaper Association of America’s New Media Federation. The 12th annual presentation of the “Edgies” took place at a ceremony held during NAA’s annual Marketing Conference at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Jan. 28-31.
The Digital Edge Awards, founded in 1996, recognize online publishers from newspapers of all sizes that engage online audiences with Web-enhanced news coverage and effectively deliver advertisers’ interactive marketing messages. This year’s winners were selected from 199 entries in nine categories – Best Overall News Site, Most Innovative Multimedia Storytelling, Most Innovative Visitor Participation, Best Design and Site Architecture, Best Classified Innovation, Best Use of Interactive Media, Best Advertising Program, Best Local Shopping and Directory Strategy, Best Local Guide or Entertainment Site.
“The Edgie Award winners are at the cutting edge of a changing industry,” said President and CEO of MediaNews Group Interactive and New Media Federation President Eric Grilly. “The winning sites and finalists exemplify the best in innovation and raw talent that NAA member organizations have to offer.”
The list of Edgie winners follows.
Online Innovator
Steve Yelvington, Media Strategist for Morris Digital Works and Blogger, Yelvington.com
Best Overall News Site
Circulation less than 75,000
Naplesnews.com, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
Roanoke.com, The Roanoke Times
Circulation Greater than 250,000
washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post
Most Innovative Multimedia Storytelling
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Studio 55 vodcast
Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
John Muir Trail blog, The Fresno Bee
Circulation Greater than 250,000
Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune Interactive
Most Innovative Visitor Participation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Savannahnow.com, Savannah Morning News
Circulation Greater than 250,000
Gasparilla – The Movie, TBO.com
Best Design and Site Architecture
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Lawrence.com, World Online
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Statesman.com/austin360, Austin American-Statesman
Circulation Greater than 250,000
StarTribune.com, Star Tribune, Minneapolis
Best Classified Innovation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Gainsville Sun online classifieds and GainesvilleList.com, The Gainesville Sun
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Hartford Courant Pets, The Hartford Courant
Circulation Greater than 250,000
MiamiHerald.com – Pets Classifieds, Miami Herald
Best Use of Interactive Media
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Pigskin Review, Amarillo.com/Amarillo Globe-News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
RandomThis, Knoxville News Sentinel
Circulation Greater than 250,000
azcentral.com - wireless
azcentral.com and the Arizona Republic
Best Advertising Program
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Latest News Expandable Ad – Prime Home Builders
Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
PalmBeachPost.com/ Mobile Ad Services Program, PalmBeachPost.com
Circulation Greater than 250,000
Tampa Bay Hooters Swimsuit Pageant & Beach Party, St. Petersburg Times
Best Local Guide or Entertainment Site
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Lawrence.com, World Online
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Spokane7.com, Spokesman Review
Circulation Greater than 250,000
Vita.mn, StarTribune.com
Best Local Shopping & Directory Strategy
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Naplesnews.com Restaurant Guide, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Tri State Home Show, Evansville Courier Company
Circulation Greater than 250,000
ShopMinnesota, Star Tribune