Star News wins advertising general excellence awards

by Howard Lestrud

The Star News of Elk River won the General Excellence category’s first-place award in the ECM Better Advertising Contest for 2005.

Placing second in General Excellence was the Princeton Union-Eagle and third was the Dairyland Peach of Sauk Centre.

The awards were presented at the annual ECM Publishers Shareholders Meeting Nov. 15 at the Majestic Oaks Golf Club, Ham Lake. The contest was judged by the staff of Independent Free Papers of America.

Other contest winners were:

ADVERTISING

Best 1?4 Page and Under
Black & White Ad
1st
Ad: Hilltop Sports
Sales Rep: Kim Plettl
Designer: Pam Brisk
Publication: Morrison County Record
2nd
Ad: Pladsen Ford, Inc.
Sales Rep: Dawn Schuttemeier
Designer: Robin Bartell
Publication: Caledonia Argus
3rd
Ad: Meiners Lumber, Inc.
Sales Rep: Dawn Schuttemeier
Designer: Robin Bartell
Publication: Caledonia Argus

Best 1?4 Page and Under
Black + Spot Color Ad
1st
Ad: Maggie’s Hallmark
Sales Rep:
Designer: Jennie Painter
Publication: Star News
Comments: We saw this ad in the General Excellence category and it really looked GREAT without the border that had to be put on it for judging. Good use of spot color.
2nd
Ad: Melrose Marine & Sports
Sales Rep: Brian McCoy
Designer: Beth Claussen
Publication: Dairyland Peach
3rd
Ad: Drong’s Furniture
Sales Rep: Kim Plettl
Designer: Pam Brisk
Publication: Morrison County Record

Best 1?4 Page and Under
Full Color Ad
1st
Ad: Fairview Gardens
Sales Rep: Jim Molitor
Designer: Polly Wuellner
Publication: Morrison County Record
Comments: This advertiser owes the publication for running this ad on this page. Everything black & white makes this attractive ad really stand out.
2nd
Ad: Caledonia Electronics
Sales Rep: Jane Palen
Designer: Robin Bartell
Publication: Caledonia Argus
3rd
Ad: Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union
Sales Rep: Brian McCoy
Designer: Annette Gruber
Publication: Dairyland Peach

Best 1?4 Page to 1?2 Page
Black & White Ad
1st
Ad: Elk River Little Guys
Sales Rep:
Designer: Linda Clayton
Publication: Star News
2nd
Ad: Jensen Andersen
Sales Rep: Lois Ploeger
Designer: Jessica DeBoer
Publication: Mille Lacs County Times
3rd
Ad: Martie’s Farm Service
Sales Rep:
Designer: Betsy Wait
Publication: Star Shopper

Best 1?4 Page to 1?2 Page
Black + Spot Color Ad
1st
Ad: Mortgages on Main
Sales Rep: Sherry Olson
Designer: Laura Bromenschenkel
Publication: Dairyland Peach
2nd
Ad: RW Builders, Inc.
Sales Rep: Becky Southard
Designer: Karen Hydukovich
Publication: Princeton Union-Eagle
3rd
Ad: The Depot Elk River
Sales Rep: Marlys Ellingson
Designer: Mary Proulx
Publication: Star News

Best 1?4 Page to 1?2 Page
Full Color Ad
1st
Ad: Farmer Dad’s Perennials, Inc.
Sales Rep: Mike Johnson
Designer: Tom Heltemes
Publication: Anoka County Shopper
Comments: Great use of color! Especially like the content of the ad. The message is EXCELLENT!
2nd
Ad: Early Childhood Family Education
Sales Rep:
Designer: Robin Bartell
Publication: Caledonia Argus
3rd
Ad: Lord of Glory Lutheran Church
Salesperson:
Designer: Linda Clayton
Publication: Star News

Best 1?2 Page and Over
Black & White Ad
1st
Ad: Spirit River Gift & Garden
Sales Rep: Dawn Erickson
Designer: Karen Hydukovich
Publication: Town & Country Shopper
2nd
Ad: Princeton American Legion
Sales Rep: Dawn Erickson
Designer: Karen Hydukovich
Publication: Town & Country Shopper
3rd
Ad: Sidelines Sports Bar
Sales Rep: Merle Thomas
Designer: Laura Holmstrom
Publication: Scotsman

Best 1?2 Page and Over
Black + Spot Color Ad
1st
Ad: Princeton Speedway
Salesperson: Dawn Erickson
Designer: Nick Olson
Publication: Town & Country Shopper
2nd
Ad: Coborn’s Superstore
Sales Rep: Kim Hansen
Designer: Faye Santala
Publication: Morrison County Record
3rd
Ad: Fairview
Sales Rep: Becky Southard
Designer: Jennifer Adams
Publication: Town & Country Shopper

Best 1?2 Page and Over
Full Color Ad
1st
Ad: Whitcomb’s Nursery
Salesperson: Dawn Erickson
Designer: Jennifer Adams
Publication: Town & Country Shopper
Comments: The ad asked me to watch their video on the Web…I did, and found it hard to believe that this advertiser could mix selling flowers and raising deer. The ad does both!
2nd
Ad: Lakeville Ford Mercury
Sales Rep: Jennifer Anderson
Designer: Ellen Reierson
Publication: Thisweek Newspapers
3rd
Ad: Apple Valley Ford
Sales Rep: Debbie Gamboni
Designer: Jeff Remme
Publication: Thisweek Newspapers


Best Special Section
1st
Inside Business
Thisweek Newspapers
Comments: We judged this category on what it did for the advertiser. To many times we just sell a special section because it’s the right season for it. We felt that all of these special sections gave their advertisers their moneys worth. The third place winner had a neat idea of extending the section 2 weeks…good idea!
2nd
Senior Expressions
Morrison County Record
3rd
Spring Explosion
Town & Country Shopper
Honorable Mention
2005 Minnesota Moments
Star News
Comments: We really liked this project, but didn’t know if it fit with the rules of the category. The photography is unbelievable for amateurs. This publication can be very proud of this piece.

Best Self Promotion
Ad: Imagine Life without Color
Designer: Polly Wuellner
Publication: Morrison County Record
Comments: Now that’s what color is all about! Great ad!
2nd
Ad: Look Into Our Photo Reprints!
Designer: Ellen Reierson
Publication: Thisweek Newspapers
3rd
Ad: Any Idea Where You’re Going?
Designer: Ellen Reierson
Publication: Thisweek Newspapers