Express wins ad awards at INA

     The Iowa Newspaper Association (INA) held its annual convention and awards banquet Feb. 1-2 in Des Moines.

     The Monticello Express was the second-place recipient of an ad featuring Superior Appliance under the category “Best Ad Featuring Furniture, Furnishings, Appliances or Hardware.”

     The ad, sold by Advertising Manager Mary Yanda, was published in the Dec. 21, 2016 Express. It was also the cover of that week’s Shopper’s Guide. The ad read: “Thank you for your business.” Superior employees wore Santa hats as they shared their best holiday wishes and cheer. Several photos were also included of those who donated items for the Monticello Food Pantry.

     The INA judges’ comments on the ad: “Great use of color and humor! I like the bright green background.”

     The Express also took third place for its “Annual Baby Edition” for the category “Best Special Section Advertising.” All of the ads combined inside the special section were honored. The ads were sold by both Yanda and Co-Publisher Mark Spensley, and designed by Production team members Jill Cigrand, Abby Manternach and Sheralyn Schultz.

     The judges’ comments were: “Really liked the way kids were incorporated throughout all ads, some of the creative ways you staged photos were a nice touch, too.”