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Honour for columnist after two decades in print

  • Some of the Archant Suffolk
    award winners
  • A feature writer and columnist who has served with Archant Suffolk for over two decades has been crowned its editorial person of the year.

    Lynne Mortimer writes for Ipswich dailies the Evening Star and East Anglian Daily Times and in January took Columnist of the Year at the EDF East of England Media Awards.

    Judges described her as “the consummate professional, extremely hard-working and a very positive influence in the newsroom”.

    Lynne will join other winners from Archant Suffolk and four of the company’s other newspaper divisions at the group-wide awards in London next month.

    At the Archant Herts and Cambs Awards Cambridgeshire Times reporter Tom Jackson pipped his editor to the Archant Herts and Cambs editorial person of the year prize.

    Other Archant Suffolk editorial winners are:

    Unsung Hero of the Year
    Tessa Oxlade has worked as a photographic technician since 2004, managing the input and distribution of hundreds of images received on a daily basis, and assisting with the organisation of the internal picture agency.

    Judges said: “Organising and controlling the photographic team and all that is demanded of it, is achieved with no fuss and with a cheerful approach. We all wish there were more support staff like Tessa.”

    Innovation or new launch of the year
    greenun24.co.uk – specialist football website for Suffolk and Essex.

    The closure of the print product after a history dating back to 1923 has seen the birth of a new asset for the business. Contributor content and videos have helped establish a stable audience of around 50,000 per month, resulting in commercial and sponsorship opportunities.

    Judges said: “This concept is easily transferrable and discussions are already planned with Herts and Cambs to see how we can push the service further west.”

    Product or service of the year
    EADT Saturday is the weekend edition of the paper. It was re-launched in 2007 and includes various supplements.

    Judges said: “This initiative needed cross departmental support and this has been achieved successfully, making this fantastic entry even more deserving. It was a big project, well executed, delivering better sales performance and increased revenue due to cover price increase. Well done to all those involved.”