Advertiser shines at Group Editors Awards

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - About 180 guests attended the Group Editors year-end event at the Wilderness Hotel last Friday.

The event marked the first ever Group Editors Awards. The media house not only has eight newspapers in its stable, but a strong online presence, being the first company in the Caxton Group to have launch its news websites.

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During her address, Group Editors operations director Nicole Rimbault said that while most newspaper groups around the world are retrenching staff and seeing a continuing drop in revenue, Group Editors had been extremely fortunate.

"It has been difficult. There are challenges, but we continue to be the voice of our communities. Our brands, be it in print or digitally, are still recognised as the authoritative voice of each town."

She said advertisers still saw great benefit in local newspapers.

She commended the staff for their effort. "I trust that in the year to come we will continue to work together as the great team that we are."

Judges
Great pains were taken to secure the input of top judges for the awards.

They included award-winning photographers Chris Daly and Schalk Engelbrecht; owner of the established online newspaper The Gremlin, Bruce Middleton; award-winning investigative journalist, news anchor and media coach, Chantal Rutter-Dros; and former newspaper man and stalwart spokesperson for the Mossel Bay Municipality, now retired Harry Hill.

Also a judge in the photography category was veteran photographer Martin Kellerman.

The other judges were former principal of the Caxton Cadet School and human resource developer and now a specialist writer for Caxton, Gien Elsas; National group editor for Caxton Local Newspapers, Irma Green; and national creative director at Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers, Mirelle Jacobs.

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Awards
The Mossel Bay Advertiser stood its ground competitively among its peers, securing seven awards.

The Advertiser was named best sales branch for 2018, with Michelle Reyneke receiving the laurels as best print sales executive.

Pleased with their achievements are Mossel Bay Advertiser editor Suzette Herrer, journalists Cornelle Carstens and Louise Karsten and sales executive Michelle Reyneke. Photo: Mariska Visagie

The newsroom also made its mark. Nickey le Roux was second in the category, best impact story. Also, her impressive portfolio landed her among the top three in the category, journalist of the year.

Cornelle Carstens and Louise Karsten came second and third respectively in the category, best human interest story.

Carstens was the winner in the category, best regular column or blog for her column, Kantlyn/Margin. She was given a historic "perfect score" of 25 out of 25.

The judges commented: "Cornelle scored a perfect 25 because she just hit the nail on the head every time. She is up to date with all the news, be it in Mossel Bay or nationally. We've never given a perfect score."