They are supporting the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards as partners to help recognise the achievements of the regional press in 2010.
The awards will be presented at a lunch at London’s Park Plaza Riverbank on May 11 in the middle of Local Newspaper Week.
Last month it was announced that Camelot had signed up as the main sponsor of the awards which are organised by Society of Editors on a not for profit basis in association with the Newspaper Society, HoldTheFrontPage, the Press Association and the Journalists’ Charity which will benefit from any surplus generated by the awards.
Awards organiser Bob Satchwell (pictured), executive director of the Society of Editors said: “We are delighted to have support from such important organisations. The awards have already attracted more than 750 entries that have been carefully scrutinised by more than 50 judges chaired by newspaper consultant and designer Peter Sands.
“Thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors we aim to ensure that regional journalism is properly recognised for its quality, vitality and rich diversity that is unmatched anywhere in the world.”
As well as sponsoring the awards Asda will provide wines for the awards reception and lunch and the company says it is delighted to be helping to make them a success.
UK Power Networks is sponsoring the Weekly Reporter of the Year award. Claire Byrd, Senior Media Manager, said: “UK Power Networks is happy to support these awards, which recognise the strength and importance of local and regional newspapers. The quality and originality of entries received is a testimony to the high quality journalism that is alive and well in local media.”
The awards lunch will be held at the Park Plaza Riverbank that overlooks the Thames on London’s Albert Embankment at 12 for 12.45 on Wednesday May 11. Award winning radio presenter Nick Ferrari will host the awards ceremony.
Newspaper consultant and designer Peter Sands is chairing the judges.
Newspaper Society members undertook to participate in and support the awards and to avoid taking part in any competing UK-wide events.
The lunchtime awards ceremony will coincide with the Newspaper Society AGM and Local Newspaper Week 2011 (9th-15th May).
This year’s Local Newspaper Week aims to highlight how local newspapers act as champion of their communities, galvanising their readers into action, supporting local businesses, and taking pride in their local area. The Week is an annual celebration of the strength of regional and local press in the UK and hundreds of local and regional newspaper editors take part by running Week-themed content in their titles – explaining to readers the unique role played by local papers in their communities.
Georgina Harvey, president of the NS and managing director of Trinity Mirror Regionals, said: “It's more important today than ever to celebrate the unique strengths of our industry. The regional and local press has a long and proud history of journalistic excellence and photographic prowess and I’m delighted we’ll have the chance to pay tribute to our best journalists and photographers with these new awards.”
Bob Satchwell has overseen the awards in consultation with Lynne Anderson, communications director of the NS. The scheme will be reviewed after the first year.
