Oyster Pointer has been recognized with three awards in the 2018 Independent Free Papers of America (IFPA) annual competition held in Philadelphia. In the U.S., there are more than 3,000 free publications. Of those, approximately 1,250 are eligible for membership in IFPA, a nonprofit international trade association, representing 143 Free Circulation Publishers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
According to Douglas Fry, executive director of IFPA, there were 599 entries in this year’s contest. Judges for the contest were from Middle Tennessee State University and Columbia Community College.
A first-place honor for a single color advertisement–large space recognized Bayport Credit Union. Judges felt the use of the familiar rubber ducky made this ad and the credit union more approachable and fun.
A first-place award was presented for Oyster Pointer’s Internet site. Judges said that plenty of white space makes Oyster Pointer’s website easy to read, and navigating the site was quick and intuitive. Sara and Stewart Sanders, of SHS Design, the graphics design firm of Oyster Pointer, are responsible for the website design and management.
A third-place honor was awarded for local business coverage. The cover story, featuring the new Holiday Inn Newport News at City Center, appeared in the May 2018 issue. According to the judges, “Oyster Pointer contains lots of news about the local community. From events, to awards and businesses, Oyster Pointer covers its community with style.” Cathy Welch, staff writer and photographer, provided the story and photography.
“We are delighted to be recognized by such a prestigious association,” says Sylvia Weinstein, publisher. “We feel this a great compliment to the paper.”
Oyster Pointer has been covering businesses in and around Oyster Point for 31 years. It strives to cover the wide array of well known and not so well known businesses in and around the Oyster Point area and its surrounding cities. It also works to include columns on a multitude of subjects, such as business practices and health matters.
Weinstein credits the success of the paper to her outstanding team which includes SHS Design, responsible for graphics, layout and design; Brian DePrinzio, Oyster Pointer’s business manager; and the many talented writers, columnists and photographers.
“Oyster Pointer is only as strong as the advertisers who support it and to them, we express our sincere thanks,” Weinstein says. “We are proud to be the paper that people in the Oyster Point area look to for good news. We have tried to grow with the area and incorporate many different businesses and subjects on our pages.”
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