WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington Advertiser has been named the top community newspaper in Ontario in its class for the fourth consecutive year.
On April 14, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) announced the winners of its 2022 Better Newspaper Competition (BNC) in a virtual ceremony.
The Advertiser won first place in the General Excellence category (circulation over 22,500), beating out 12 other entries, including fellow finalists the Barrie Advance and Niagara This Week.
“Obviously, I’m very pleased with the result,” said Advertiser publisher Dave Adsett.
“Our staff puts in an exceptional amount of effort every day, providing a valuable community service to residents all over Wellington County.”
Adsett noted that winning the General Excellence award four years in a row (2019 to 2022) is “very humbling.”
“It shows that commitment and purpose lead to success,” he said.
“I am very proud of our team.”
Organized annually by the OCNA, the BNC event recognizes the work of community newspapers throughout the province.
In their decision, three General Excellence judges from western Canada called the Advertiser “a classic looking newspaper with a robust story-filled front that accentuates and draws attention to the front page art/photo.”
Of the three finalists, the Advertiser was the “resounding favourite of the judges,” stated the evaluators.
“A well-deserved win amongst a strong collection of newspapers competing this year,” they concluded.
The Advertiser also finished in the top three in the following BNC Premier Award categories:
- first place for Best Feature Writing (circulation over 10,000 category) for an article by reporter Jordan Snobelen about county resident Dale Wideman’s experience after being taken as a hostage in Haiti along with 16 other missionaries from North America;
- first place for Best News Story (circulation over 10,000) for Snobelen’s article about the “Freedom Convoy” passing through Wellington County on its way to Ottawa;
- second place for Best Rural Story (circulation over 10,000) for an article by Snobelen about the effects of increased fertilizer prices on the market;
- second place for Best Creative Ad for an Arthur 150th “Sidewalk Saturdays” advertisement designed by Alicia Roza;
- second place for Best Use of Colour in an Ad for Buckenham Fireplaces and Grills ad by Steve Gilholm; and
- third place for Best Special Section (circulation over 10,000) for a pull-out feature on Arthur’s 150th anniversary celebration.
The Advertiser’s sister publication, the North Wellington Community News, which covers Wellington North, Minto and Mapleton, finished in the top three in the following Premier Award categories:
- first place for Best Local Retail Layout for a Young’s Home Hardware ad designed by Roza;
- second place for Best Editorial (circulation over 10,000 category) for an editorial titled “Media bashing way off the rails” by reporter Patrick Raftis; and
- third place for Best Use of Colour in an Ad for a Red Express Market ad by Roza.
For the complete list of winners visit ocna.org.
