Columbia Basin Media Group brings home a record 25 awards

YAKIMA — In an ever-changing industry where technology is quickly overriding the human touch, the Columbia Basin Media Group showed its ability to change with the times, yet hold to good old-fashioned values with community and professional pride, winning 25 awards in the 2018 annual Washington Newspaper Publishers Association competition, including first and second place for “Ad of the Year,” “Sports Writer of the Year,” and a category sweep by CBH Digital, placing first through third.

“I could not be more proud of our team. We have such incredible talent. I've always said the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra and this team gives that little extra each and every day,” Columbia Basin Media Group publisher Caralyn Bess said. “While all of these incredibly talented team members took home awards, it speaks volumes to all of our team members here at the Columbia Basin Herald, Sun Tribune and Basin Business Journal.

“I think we are the only business that actually produces an entirely new product each and every week day and that’s certainly something to be proud of.”

Columbia Basin Media Group produced a company record 25 award-winning stories, advertisements and video productions, including seven first-place awards, nine second and nine third-place awards.

Marketing director Dana Moreno had the top two awards for “Ad of the Year.” Her work for Central Washington Home Show was recognized as the best in all four WNPA categories and her Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce gave her a one-two punch.

“It’s absolutely exciting and it validates why I love doing what I do,” said Moreno, who placed third in the Ad of the Year competition in 2017. “I’m especially proud of this award because it was the rebranding of our Home Expo section.

“I am a judge in the Wisconsin Newspaper Publishers Association contest this year, so I know it’s a hard decision to pick one over the other because you’re looking at all this great work. So I am immensely honored to win not only Ad of the Year, but second place in the category as well.”

Moreno also placed first place for branding ad for single advertiser and first place for her work in the ad campaign for a single advertiser. She was second in promoting a sale or event, and third in promotion of newspaper house ad.

WNPA represents about 100 community newspapers in Washington state. It is the successor to the Washington Press Association, which was founded in 1887 by newspapers in Dayton, Ellensburg, Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima and Walla Walla.

Rodney Harwood was recognized as the “Sports Writer of the Year” among all circulation groups, ranging from newspapers 2,500 to a circulation of 12,501 and up. Judges recognized his body of work, which included Moses Lake wrestler Thomas Hamm; BJ Garbe, Ryan Doumit and Jason Cooper still call Moses Lake home; Royal football three-peats; local fishing guide Rick Graser hooks up with Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and the column on the Big Bend women’s basketball program being in good hands.

“For Rodney Harwood to take the coveted Sports Writer of the Year award up against all of the papers in the state of Washington speaks volumes,” Bess said. “I have been in this business for a very long time and he is truly one of the best photojournalists and sportswriters that I've ever seen.”

Director of Advertising Rosalie Black’s work also placed first in its class. She won best use of process color-half page and youth-oriented content. Black’s work also placed second and third use of process color promoting a sale or event.

“I am excited to be a part of this. I’m truly proud of my team. We have so much heart and professional pride here,” Black said. “I love my job and the fact that we are turning heads throughout the whole state with what we are doing here is special.”

The CBH Digital staff consisting of Richard Garcia, Andrew Covarrubias and Black swept the classification, placing first, second and third for their work.

“It really means a lot to know that we stand out among all the other agencies and newspapers around the state,” said Garcia, who has a bachelor's degree in digital technology and culture. “It shows we can collaborate on projects and be a part of the bigger picture.”

Said Covarrubias, “It’s a lot of technical, boring work,” he said. “What’s nice is that we were good enough to be recognized. I take pride in my work and the acknowledgment is a way of knowing that I am merited that pride.”

Lead advertising designer Kelsi Weber won the first award in her 22-year career, placing third for her creative work on the Columbia Basin Teacher of the Month promotion.

“This is special because this is the first time I’ve ever entered anything,” she said. “It’s really exciting to be recognized because this is a statewide competition.”

On the news side, the Herald placed third for its ongoing coverage of the Chico’s Pizza Parlor fire. That breaking news team included Charles Featherstone, Cheryl Schweizer and Lynne Lynch.

“The Chico’s coverage was a group effort and we worked well together,” said Featherstone, who also placed third in the General Feature Writing – Short. “I think it shows the value of having a team that knows how to work together, knowing that we each have our own roles in the coverage.”

City reporter Richard Byrd’s coverage of the Barry Loukaitis resentencing captured not only the emotional and traumatic shooting at Frontier Middle School, but laid out the facts behind the decision to resentence him as an adult years later. He was recognized with second place in crime and court reporting.

Former Sun Tribune editor Bob Kirkpatrick placed third in Health and Medical reporting and General Feature Story – Long. Former longtime Sun Tribune editor Ted Escobar had the top Humorous Column and placed third in Topical Column writing.