The Laker/Lutz News brought home 18 awards from the Community Papers of Florida 2018 Awards for Excellence competition.
The annual statewide contest recognizes outstanding work in advertising, writing and photography.
On the advertising side, The Laker/Lutz News design staff garnered 11 awards in these categories:
- Advertising campaign: First place, Stefanie Burlingame and Matthew Mistretta, The Lakes Floral & Gifts; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, New Age Medical Center
- Professional Services Advertising – less than half page: First place, Stefanie Burlingame, Evolution; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, Pet Point Animal Hospital
- Self-promotion: Stefanie Burlingame, First place
- Theme promotion: First place, Matthew Mistretta, Faith and Worship; and Second place, Matthew Mistretta, Home Section
- Automotive advertising: Third place, Matthew Mistretta, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube
- Real estate advertising – half page or more: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Advantage Real Estate Services
- Real estate advertising – less than half page: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Allen Collins Realty
- Spot color: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Treasured Pets Resort & Spa
The judges provided comments only for entries receiving a first place honor.
For the Evolution ad, one judge wrote, “this ad looks three-dimensional. The blurry Christmas tree in the background makes everything in the foreground stand out. The use of space and offer is perfect.”
For the Faith and Worship Theme Page, a judge noted “the overall layout and presentation of this page gives the reader several easy-to-find church services in the community. Each ad is clean and easy to read.”
In the Advertising Campaign category for The Lakes Floral & Gifts, one judge commented, “These ads are in full bloom! The use of color and composition make the ad series consistent and appealing to the reader. Well done.” Another judge pointed out “the color really makes this campaign POP!” Another judge noted, “A consistent look with strong, dominant artwork and vibrant colors makes for an effective campaign.”
Diane Kortus, the newspaper’s publisher, received third place recognition for a personal column she wrote about Valentine’s Day. The column observed that Valentine’s Day is not just an opportunity to celebrate romantic love, but also love for family, friends and colleagues.
The editorial team of Fred Bellet, Christine Holtzman, B.C. Manion, Kevin Weiss and Randy Underhill received honors in four categories.
- News Story: First place
- Best Original Writing: Third place
- Best Original Photographic Spread: Second place and Third place
- Best Independent Photo Feature: Two second-place honors
Manion won first place for her news story about local students at Wiregrass Ranch High School, in Wesley Chapel, joining a national walkout in the wake of the Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida.
One judge said the piece was “well-sourced” and called it “a descriptive narrative of this event.”
Weiss won third place for his profile about a reality show featuring the Bellamy Brothers, their music and their life on a 200-acre ranch in Darby.
Holtzman took home two second-place photography honors in the best independent photo feature category. One was for her photograph of a small child blowing a bubble and the other for an appearance that Mr. Tommy made at a local library.
Bellet received second place in the Best Original Photographic Spread Category for his collection of photos of a softball team for players with special needs. Underhill captured third place in the same category for his photos of a father-daughter dance at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
Published October 17, 2018
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