PRESS STATEMENT
Monday 24 March 2003
Norske Skog Newspaper Advertising Awards Announced
The Wanganui Chronicle has won the Premier Award of the Norske Skog Newspaper Advertising Awards announced today at the
newspaper industry annual conference in Auckland. The awards recognise excellence in newspaper advertising, marketing
and promotion.
The winning advertisement had been entered by the Wanganui Chronicle in two categories, the newspaper marketing
categories for copywriting and best use of colour. Awards were made in seven categories for newspapers divided into
three bands based on circulation. On the judging panel this year were Chris Christensen, Convener of Judges, Mike
Hutcheson, a Director of the Lighthouse Ideas Company, Paul White, Senior Lecturer at the AUT School of Communication
Studies, Peter Aitken, Managing Director of Ford and Mazda New Zealand and Ross Foreman from Bayley’s Real Estate.
The awards are in their seventh year and are sponsored by Norske Skog Tasman Limited. The New Zealand Market Director of
Norske Skog, Mr Willie Townend said "The Norske Skog Advertising Awards are a great opportunity for newspapers to
display their skills and talents in promotion, marketing and advertising in New Zealand. Norske Skog is proud to be
associated with a competition that has excellent support from the industry and where the winners have once again
demonstrated a high level of achievement".
The Chief Executive of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association, Mr Lincoln Gould said " All newspapers recognise the
increasing importance of effective marketing and promotion. Newspapers continue to look for new and better ways to
communicate with our customers for the benefit of both our readers and those who invest their advertising dollars in
newspapers. The assistance of Norske Skog in furthering this work is invaluable."
ENDS
The full list of awards and judges comments on the award winners is attached to this press release.
2003 Norske Skog Newspaper Advertising Awards
LIST OF AWARDS
NORSKE SKOG PREMIER AWARD
WINNER: WANGANUI CHRONICLE FOR ON ROAD WANGANUI
The Judges commented:
This advertisement is clear proof that size isn’t everything, simplicity is a virtue and success is not determined by
dollars spent.
NORSKE SKOG PREMIER AWARD FINALISTS
Wanganui Chronicle for On Road Wanganui
(Winner, Best Use of Colour, Copywriting 10,000-25,000)
The New Zealand Herald for Primary Schools Programme
The New Zealand Herald for College Herald
(Joint Winners, Community Promotions over 25,000)
The Dominion and The Evening Post for Letterbox Promotion
(Winner, Newspaper Marketing – Revenue Generation over 25,000)
AWARD CATEGORIES
Newspaper Marketing - House Advertising
Up to 10,000
Commended: Whakatane Beacon for Friday Real Estate Section
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: The Northern Advocate for Lunchtime Read
Campaign
The Judges commented:
The Northern Advocate’s ‘Lunchtime Read Campaign’ with its strong layouts and captions makes the earlier distribution
time a good reason to purchase.
Commended: Wanganui Chronicle for “Giving You More to Read
About”
Over 25,000
Winner: The Dominion Post for The Dominion Post Launch
The Judges commented:
The Dominion Post’s ‘Making Twice the Noise’ caption is graphically supported with eye-catching illustrations and
convincing argument.
Newspaper Promotions - Revenue Generation
Up to 10,000
Commended: Whakatane Beacon for Valentine’s Day Promotion
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: The Northern Advocate for 100 years of Front Page
News
The Judges commented:
A very high interest idea and very well presented. A publication that will have a long ‘shelf life’ and keep on working
for The Northern Advocate.
Over 25,000
Winner: The Dominion and The Evening Post for Letterbox
Promotion
The Judges comments:
Their strategy was to provide a fun promotion to maintain circulation during a sensitive trading period. They succeeded
and ensured lots of reader involvement and a high visibility campaign.
Best Use of Colour
Up to 10,000
Commended: Ashburton Guardian for Weddings
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Wanganui Chronicle for On Road Wanganui
The Judges comments:
The Wanganui Chronicle demonstrates well how to use colour to gain attention and that ‘spot’ colour can be as effective
as full colour.
Commended: The Marlborough Express for Fine Photos
Commended: The Nelson Mail for Down to Earth Garden Centre
Promotional Products
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Bay of Plenty Times for 2003 Calendar Promotion
The Judges commented:
This is a category often dominated by expensive consumer products branded with newspaper logos. The Bay of Plenty Times
have produced a very high quality promotional piece that reflects its place in the community and will no doubt be valued
by the people of Tauranga long after December 31.
Community Promotions
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: The Marlborough Express for Road Safe
Marlborough
The Judges commented:
The Marlborough Express ‘Road Safety Programme’ is a text-book example of good advertising: - strong uncluttered layouts
– attention grabbing illustrations and headlines that draw the reader right into the message ‘Drive Safely’.
Commended: Wanganui Chronicle for Ride in a Truck Day
Over 25,000
Joint Winners: The New Zealand Herald for Primary Schools
Programme
AND
The New Zealand Herald for College Herald
The Judges commented:
Both of these initiatives are very professional, very well thought through and well presented in every detail. They are
community service programmes that have deservedly won the support of the schools, teachers and students.
Classified Advertising – General
10,000 to 25,000
Commended: The Nelson Mail for Welcome to Our World
Over 25,000
Commended: Hawke’s Bay Today for Mr Apple
Classified Advertising – Automotive
Up to 10,000
Commended: Whakatane Beacon for Wally Sutherland Limited
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: The Marlborough Express for Houston Motors
The Judges commented:
One of the fundamental advertising principles for gaining customer attention is ’news’. The Marlborough Express
advertisement for Houston Motors creates its own news by tying in with a vineyard and exploits the event with a clever,
creative concept.
Commended: The Nelson Mail for Bowater Toyota
Over 25,000
Commended: The Dominion Post for King Toyota
The Press for Gary Cockram Hyundai
The Southland Times for GWD Russells Ltd
Classified Advertising - Real Estate
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Wanganui Chronicle for Coull Battell
The Judges commented:
Real estate advertising is too often restricted to price and product. But on this occasion Coull Battell decided to
highlight their brand, their history and their integral place in the Wanganui real estate market. It is a strong
message, well executed.
Over 25,000
Winner: The Dominion Post for Wrightway Homes
The Judges commented:
The headline says it all. People in this market could see at a glance what the proposition was and how they could become
involved. Excellent layout and use of space.
Commended: The Southland Times for Michael Griffin and Harcourts
Copywriting
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Wanganui Chronicle for On Road Wanganui
The Judges commented:
The Judges’ appreciated the Wanganui Chronicle’s succinct, simple and straight-to-the-point product offer advertisement
for On Road Wanganui.
Display Advertising – Features
Up to 10,000
Winner: The Greymouth Evening Star for West Coast Holiday Guide
The Judges commented:
The ‘West Coast Holiday Guide’ is everything it claims to be – a holiday guide with area maps and an abundance of
tourist information. A top quality publication.
Commended: Ashburton Guardian for Weddings
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Manawatu Standard for Our Place, Our People
The Judges commented:
Entries in this category have put an emphasis on quality – both in editorial content and presentation. ‘Our Place, Our
People is a strong example of a newspaper feature that will be kept for its quality historical content and editorial
presentation.
Commended: Manawatu Standard for Raw
Manawatu Standard for Sharp
Over 25,000
Commended: Hawke’s Bay Today for Hawke’s Bay Wine Country
Display Advertising – Retail
10,000 to 25,000
Commended: The Timaru Herald for Ballentynes
Over 25,000
Winner: Otago Daily Times for Nichols
The Judges commented:
The Otago Daily Times advertisment for Nichols’ is headed “Hooked on Roses” – it not only parades Nichols’ stock of
roses but also includes valuable advice and information. Any rose buff would be hooked into reading and re-reading this
advertisement.
Commended: The Press for the BBQ Factory
The Dominion Post for Inhabit Designstore
Display Advertising – Commercial Promotion
Up to 10,000
Commended: Whakatane Beacon for Holden Scramble
10,000 to 25,000
Winner: Manawatu Standard for Stylex Print
The Judges’ commented:
Raymond and his team at Stylex Print demonstrate that a teaser campaign based on the product and its services is still a
very effective communication tool.
Commended: The Marlborough Express for Red Devils Battle on
Trafalgar
The Marlborough Express for Red Devil Player /
Supporter Promotion
Bay of Plenty Times for Bella Vista Lodge
Over 25,000
Winner: The Dominion Post for Wellington Brewing Company
The Judges commented:
Who says ‘people don’t read long copy’? The Dominion Post’s display advertisement for Wellington Brewing Company has
all the ingredients to involve the reader with interesting photographs and informative copy.
Commended: The Southland Times for South Port New Zealand
ENDS