Five TownNews.com hosted sites were recognized as some of Iowa’s best newspaper web sites at the Iowa Press Association’s annual convention last month in Des Moines, Iowa.
INA received 4,000 entries from members in various categories for its 2010 Better Newspaper Content. Judging, performed by the Michigan Press Association, was narrowed into five classes for each category: Daily Class 1, for dailies with 9,999 circulation and less; Daily Class 2, for dailies with 10,000 circulation and more; Weekly Class 1, for weeklies with 1,319 circulation and less; Weekly Class 2, for weeklies with 1,320 to 2,239 circulation; and Weekly Class 3, for weeklies with 2,240 and above circulation.
Sites were judged for the quality of the news and editorial matter they provided, ease of navigation, evidence of revenue generation, demonstration of community involvement and design based on layout, graphics, photographs, animation and color.
Daily 1
The Muscatine Journal, a Lee Enterprises subsidiary, received second place for www.muscatinejournal.com.
According to judges: “Home page video is a plus for this site.”
The Keokuk Daily Gate, a Brehm Communications publication, received third place for www.dailygate.com.
According to judges: “Attractive graphic greets visitors to this site.”
Seven newspapers were entered in this class.
Daily 2
The Sioux City Journal, a Lee Enterprises subsidiary, received first place for www.siouxcityjournal.com.
According to judges: “Great emphasis on breaking local news. Updated stories clearly marked for readers.”
The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, a Lee Enterprises subsidiary, received third place for www.wcfcourier.com.
According to judges: “Good use of updating in stories, but white space is too plentiful to win the class.”
Eleven newspapers were entered in this class.
Weekly 2
The Adel Dallas County News, a Paxton Media Group publication, received third place for
www.adelnews.com.
According to judges: “Excellent first-screen animation is a highlight of this site.”
Nine newspapers were entered in this class.
Bill Monroe Innovation Award
The Quad-City Times, a Lee Enterprises subsidiary, was the inaugural winner of the Bill Monroe Innovation Award for their part in the development of TownNews.com’s BLOX content management system.
Tim D’Avis, online director at the Times, and his staff played a vital role in developing standard templates used on BLOX throughout Lee.