The Gazette won first in the categories of Advertising, Sales Promotion, Editorial Comment, News Writing and Feature Writing.
Regarding the Gazette’s Advertising entry coordinated by Advertising Director Terri Sadler, judges said, “very impressive — great work.” Sadler’s Sales Promotion entry showed a “very impressive range of advertising tools” with “wide audience appeal.”
The Editorial Comment entries, written by Publisher Bill Bleakley, were titled “Gazette at 30,” “Choosing a congressman” and “Oklahomans, let’s declare our independence!”
“Brings to light important community issues and takes a stand on them,” judges wrote. “Your points are clear and logical.”
The News Writing entries penned by former staff writer Scott Cooper had a “no-nonsense use of words that hooks the reader into reading more,” judges wrote. “It’s a good read.” Judges said the Feature Writing entries by contributing writers Hailey Branson Potts, Andrew Gilman and Nicole Hill were “fun to read and a joy to begin.”
The Gazette placed fourth in the In-Depth Enterprise, Photography and Community Leadership categories.
Oklahoma Gazette competed in the Sustaining Division of the annual OPA contest, which was judged by members of the North Dakota Newspaper Association.
