GWADS Best of Best Awards

Big Board Jeopardy

2021 Best of Best Awards

Newspapers once again shined at the GWADS 2021 Virtual Best of the Best Awards contest! Successes in print and digital engagement, acquisition and retention were shared. Entries showcased the innovation and results that characterize the winning strategies in our industry.

The competition retained its focus on 5 key areas: Digital Subscriber Growth, Digital Engagement & Retention, Social Media Marketing, Print Growth, and Print Subscriber Retention.

Top entries are posted below. Best in class votes went to: Phil Schroder, McClatchy; Tyler Pisani, Spokane Spokesman Review; Curtis Huber, Seattle Times; Lauren Delong, LA Times; and Jeff Brinley, Bay Area News Group.

Digital Subscriber Growth

Effectively monetizing your digital readers is becoming more important in our industry. What have you done to increase digital subscriptions?


2021 Entries

Press Democrat
Mather-segmented paywall

 

Spokesman-Review
5 reasons to subscribe for $5

 

Digital Engagement & Retention

Interacting with readers through your website, social media and newsletters is important to build a connection and retain readership. What success have you had in engaging and retaining your digital readers?


2021 Entries

Bay Area News Group
Coronavirus newsletters

 

Los Angeles Times
Personal, dynamic emails based on engagement, subscriber value

 

Los Angeles Times
Sophisticated, personal Welcome Journeys based on advanced segmentation

 

Press Democrat
First 100-day subscriber onboarding program

 

Seattle Times
Desktop push notifications

 

Spokesman-Review
First 100-day subscriber onboarding email series

Social Media Marketing

Social media can be used to gain print/digital subscribers, increase engagement of current readers, general brand awareness and community partnerships. What have you done to take advantage of social media marketing?


2021 Entries

Albuquerque Journal
Facebook high interest content value messaging and CTA

 

Print Growth

Acquiring new print subscribers (including single copy) is more important than ever. What is your most successful effort to acquire new print subscribers/readers?


2021 Entries

Bay Area News Group
Sunday print add-on to digital only subscribers

 

Idaho Statesman
Email optimization for Print / Digital acquisition

 

Las Vegas Review-Journal
Speedee Mart customer traffic and newspaper sales increase

 

Merced Sun Star
Letter from Editor high-rate customer winback campaign

 

Print Subscriber Retention

What was your most successful campaign/effort to retain your print readers?


2021 Entries

Merced Sun Star
TASTE ACROSS THE STATES user-generated content contest and cookbook

 

The Olympian
Online stop save module

 

Sacramento Bee
Activate digital access during pandemic

 

Spokesman-Review
Customer care higher rate stop save commission program

 

BECOME A MEMBER

Your membership goes to support this nonprofit organization committed to continuing education and sharing of ideas. Members get preferred rates at events, the opportunity to network, learn revenue-generating strategies, and stay in the forefront of ongoing digital engagement. The Board of Directors look forward to your participation and support in advancing our audience development program.

Connect. Learn. Drive Change.

Stay in the know with
news and offerings