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 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
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