MORRIS
CLAIMS THREE ONLINE AWARDS
AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Newspaper Association of America (NAA)
today awarded three prestigious Digital Edge Awards to Morris
Communications Corp. newspapers. Two awards also cited Morris
Digital Works™TM, the online division of Morris
Communications. The "Edgies" were announced and presented
during Connections, NAA's annual electronic media conference,
taking place at San Francisco's Moscone Center June 17-20.
The awards recognize industry trends and honor outstanding
achievement in online publishing. The Best Online Newspaper
award is divided into three separate areas: Best News Site,
Best Regional or City Guide, and Best Vertical site. This
year's Morris winners are as follows, Athens and Juneau winning
jointly with Morris Digital Works™TM:
- Jacksonville.com
(www.jacksonville.com),
site of The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, for Best
News Site (circulation category 75,000-250,000). Judges
wrote, "Exceptional functionality, deep community content
and excellent informational architecture make this site
outstanding."
- Online
Athens (www.onlineathens.com),
site of the Athens (Ga.) Daily News and Athens Banner-Herald,
for Best News Site (circulation less than 75,000). "University
of Georgia students and Athens residents needn't look any
further for news about the university community," judges
said.
- JuneauAlaska.com
(www.juneaualaska.com),
city guide site of the Juneau Empire, for Best Regional
or City Guide (circulation less than 75,000). Judges noted,
"Locals and tourists alike benefit from this inventive guide
to Alaska's capital city that places utility ahead of news.
Excellent execution of Flash maps, database applications
and video."
According to Gordon Borrell, president of the NAA New Media
Federation, "Newspapers have always been a terrific repository
of creativity, public service and business acumen. This year's
winners prove that the industry has not only transferred those
talents online, but also magnified them. . . .[the winners]
are excellent examples of how to meld Internet technology with
local content to capture and captivate audiences."
Morris Communications President Will Morris said, "We are extremely
proud of the consistent creativity of our online teams and Morris
Digital Works™TM. Technology must be pushed
to its limits in the service of our readers and advertisers.
In our company, we view innovation as a service to customers."
"This recognition from the NAA is clear evidence that the Internet
employees at Morris are at the top of their game," added Michael
Romaner, director of Morris Digital Works™, the corporate
support arm for all Morris Internet efforts. "We are so proud
of everyone associated with these awards. "I hope the communities
served by these Web sites understand what these awards mean,"
Romaner continued. "They're a powerful message that the best
of the Web is right there in their backyards. Yahoo and AOL
may be great resources. But no one does 'local' better than
we do. Never have. Never will." This is the fourth consecutive
year of the five years Edgies have been awarded that Morris
Communications has claimed top honors in their circulation categories.
Other citations have gone to:
Additional Morris Web sites have earned international and statewide
recognition this year as well. They are:
- www.jacksonville.com
(The Florida Times-Union) EPpy Award for Best Sports Section
in a Newspaper Online Service; awarded worldwide by Editor
& Publisher magazine.
- www.jacksonville.com
(The Florida Times-Union) Best Newspaper Web Site in Florida;
awarded by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.
- www.thekansan.com
(The Newton Kansan) Best Newspaper Web Site in Kansas; awarded
by the Kansas Press Association.
- www.dodgeglobe.com
(Dodge City [Kan.] Daily Globe) Best Newspaper Web Site
in Kansas; awarded by Kansas City Press Club chapter of
the Society of Professional Journalists.
Morris Communications is a privately
held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper
and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting,
book publishing and distribution, and computer services.
Further information about the
company may be found at www.morris.com. For employment opportunities,
contact Martha Jean McHaney, director of human resources, at
mmchaney@morris.com. Morris is an equal opportunity employer.
|
|
|
