CONTACT: Jo Ann S. Hoffman
Corporate Communications
706-828-3821
hoffman@morris.com
MORRIS EARNS FIVE TOP AWARDS IN DIGITAL PUBLISHING
Topeka's Rob Curley Named NAA's 'New Media Pioneer'
'Best News Site' Honors Go to Savannah
AUGUSTA, Ga. - A Morris Communications employee today received a prestigious individual award and Morris online newspapers received four Digital Edge Awards, or "Edgies," from the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) during its annual Connections conference for electronic media taking place July 19-22 in Washington, D.C.
In granting the distinguished New Media Pioneer award, the New Media Federation of NAA honored Rob Curley as "a visionary whose dedication to innovative ideas and willingness to mentor young leaders have propelled the industry forward." Curley is manager of the Midwest Content Group for Morris DigitalWorks, the online services division of Morris Communications, as well as director of new media for the Morris-owned Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal.
SavannahNOW.com (www.savannahnow.com), the online news site of the Savannah Morning News, was named Best News Site in its circulation category of less than 75,000. Judges noted Savannah's "innovative multimedia features," its local information guides and "very useful events calendar."
Other Morris awards went to:
The Augusta (Ga.)Chronicle: Best Vertical Site; 75,000-250,000 circulation category; Golfing News and Scores (http://golfnews.augustachronicle.com)
CJ Online/The Topeka Capital-Journal: Best Sales Campaign; less than 75,000 circulation category; CatZone - UMB Bank Sponsorship. (www.cjonline.com/catzone)
CJ Online/The Topeka Capital-Journal: Best Classified Use of New Media; less than 75,000 circulation category; Topeka Homefinder.com. (www.cjonline.com/homefinder)
"I am very, very pleased that we continue to show leadership in the digital publishing arena," said President Will Morris, "and I'm extremely proud of Rob Curley. Our entire online services group is blessed with incredible talent."
Michael Romaner, director of Morris DigitalWorks and current president of the New Media Federation, said that innovation and creativity in digital media are "helping to lead newspapering into the next generation."
Romaner added, "Nothing energizes you more than a vote of confidence from your peers. Our collection of Edgies over the past few years gives us a lot to live up to!"
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. For more information, visit www.morris.com.
