By DONNA KENYON
Executive Editor
A photographer, a reporter, and a managing editor were recognized by the New Jersey Press Association (NJPA) for their winning work in Newspaper Media Group’s (NMG) 10 community publications based in Manalapan.
NJPA awards also went to two NMG advertising staffers and a former production department employee.
Publisher Joe Eisele said, “It’s refreshing for our writers to be recognized for their journalistic credibility and accuracy in the ever changing world of news delivery. I’m proud of our team!”
NMG Editor In Chief Don Russell said, “These awards from our peers are well-deserved recognition of the hard work our staff does on a daily basis, and I couldn’t be prouder. In an age when community newspapers couldn’t be more important, I invite our readers to reflect for a moment on how their hometowns benefit from the high quality writing, editing and photography that lands on their doorsteps and driveways every week.”
NMG Staff Photographer Eric Sucar won first place for the best portfolio submitted to the NJPA Newspaper Contest, as well as for seven individual shots that were published in The News Transcript, the Atlanticville, the Independent and the Suburban.
Managing Editor Mark Rosman won second place for reporting for two columns in The News Transcript, “Two towns for the ages: from the Revolution to 2016,” and “Officials must speak out when acts of hate occur.”
Reporter Kathy Chang won a first place award for interpretive writing for “Gun sales up in the Garden State,” and a third place for education writing for “School funding reform debated.” Both were published in the Edison-Metuchen-Woodbridge Sentinel.
Sucar also took first place in the pictorial category for “Their Vault” in the Atlanticville, first place illustration for “Cold Blues,” and first place sports feature for “Friday Night Drama.”
The staff photographer took second place for “Winter Blues” in the pictorial contest; third place for sports feature with “Winning Hug” in the Independent, and third place in sports action with “Interception” in the Suburban.
Another winning photo by Sucar recognized by NJPA was “Orlando Vigil” published in the Hub, which took third place in the reporting, writing and illustration category.
NMG Advertising Manager Lauren Simons and former production employee Harvey Hersh took first place for best use of small space, color, for a Penny ad.
NMG Advertising Consultant Norma Arce and Hersh took third place for best ad, professional and technology services.
The NJPA, founded in 1857 to advance the success of news editors statewide, represents 16 daily newspapers, three out-of-state dailies, more than 165 community weeklies, four non-English language newspapers, seven specialty publications, more than 60 digital news websites and many associate members.
Newspaper Media Group is a leading community newspaper publisher with more than 40 publications in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Southern New Jersey and Central Jersey. NMG is delivering local content along with high impact and targeted advertising to our engaged readers each week.