Parenting Publications of America (PPA) gave out 365 Editorial and Design Competition awards to 72 parenting magazines and websites at a banquet on March 5, 2011, the climax of the three-day PPA Annual Convention in Arlington, Va.
PPA’s Editorial and Design Awards Competition recognizes excellence in journalism, photography and design achieved by publishers, editors, writers and designers at member publications. Prof. Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism coordinated the annual contest. A panel of 25 judges reviewed 915 entries to choose the winners in each category. All judges have had significant professional experience.
Our Family Publications New York were again honored to hear our titles called in five categories.
In the Design Competitions, a GOLD Award in Front Cover Design was awarded to BRONX/RIVERDALE FAMILY for the Doubling Up, the February 2010 cover. Publisher and PPA Vice President Susan Weiss and Art Director Leah Mitch shared the honors for their collaboration in this design effort. The judge’s comments, “All the elements work on this cover — the right image, the right type choice for the headline and the simple color choices. The printing is excellent and a cover like this would stand out on the rack.”
In the Editorial Categories, a BRONZE Award, in the category of Column, Family Matters, was given to BROOKLYN FAMILY and our contributing writer, Joan Emerson. The judge’s comments, “Parents reading these columns found useful information about how to cope with a new baby in a new marriage and how couples can successfully communicate. The writer did a good job of providing information that addresses everyday problems in a meaningful way.”
Another BRONZE Award went to BRONX/RIVERDALE FAMILY and staff writer Tiziana Rinaldi for Columns, Family Fun. The judge’s comments, “Intensely local features that inform readers of events in their own communities…..lots of good detail and evidence of reporting on display, as well as some solid writing.”
Also in the Editorial Categories, a SILVER Award went to QUEENS FAMILY and contributing writer Mary Carroll Wininger for an article “Happy & Gay in Jackson Heights,” in the category of Interview. The judge’s comments, “This story highlights the unique challenges facing gay families as they search for the right neighborhood to raise their children. The writer does a good job of letting the parents tell their story. The background information about the different neighborhoods adds depth to the story. Good interviewing and writing.
And finally, once again QUEENS FAMILY and contributing writer Risa Doherty were honored in the prestigious category of Investigative Reporting a SILVER Award for “Hidden Danger in the Suburbs, Driveway Backovers.” The judge’s comments, “This article examines the tragedy of driveway backup deaths of children. Using local cases, the writer goes into depth and explains how government agencies and parent activists are trying to prevent future deaths.”
Publisher and PPA Vice-President Susan Weiss and our representative from our latest magazine, and soon to be newcomer to PPA, Staten Island Family, Linda Smith proudly accepted on behalf of our publications at the dinner and ceremony.
“The purpose of the PPA awards competition is to encourage a high level of journalistic performance and service to communities by recognizing editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in parenting publications,” said PPA Executive Director C. James Dowden.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, PPA is a nonprofit national organization representing more than 116 parenting magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada and Australia. For more information about PPA visit www.parentingpublications.org.
