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ITD claims eight Idaho Press Club awards

ITD claimed four first-place awards and an equal number of third places in the Public Relations division of the Idaho Press Club annual awards program last week. The 2004 awards presentation Saturday (April 30) included a capacity crowd of print and electronic media and public relations representatives from throughout the state at the Owyhee Plaza in Boise.

Of the 12 categories in the Public Relations division, ITD accounted for one-third of the winning entries. Idaho Housing and Finance Association took three first places.

ITD’s winning entries included news releases (Bryant J. Kuechle), feature writing (Mel Coulter), media campaign (Public Affairs staff) and special-purpose Web site (Office of Traffic and Highway Safety).

The department took third places in feature writing (Mel Coulter), internal newsletter (Cathy Koon), media campaign (Gwen Smith) and Web site general excellence (Darla Christiansen and the Public Affairs staff).

ITD’s 2004 Idaho Press Club awards

First place: Public Relations Media Campaign, Idaho Transportation Department Office of Public Affairs for the Forum on Transportation Investment
Judge’s comments: Very thorough job.

First place: Public Relations Web site Special Purpose, Office of Traffic & Highway Safety for XTR4.com (educational site for teen-age drivers)
Judge’s comments: Layout and design are perfect for the demographics. Great, interactive site.

First place: Public Relations Feature Writing, Mel Coulter, ITD Transporter Online, for “Clock finally winds down: Tomkinson rides into retirement sunset (retirement feature on John Tomkinson)
Judge’s comments: I really enjoyed this piece, from the excellent lead to the nice kicker at the end. I like that you included details (eight boxes) and switched between necessary, but somewhat boring facts (job accomplishments) and aspects of his life.

First place: Public Relations News Releases, Bryant J. Kuechle for series of three news releases – New style signals; Middleton Road Bridge; and New security feature on automobile titles
Judge’s comments: Top-notch package

Third place: Web site General Excellence, Public Relations, ITD Public Affairs Staff
Judge’s comments: Simple, straight-forward design. Helpful maps and traffic cameras.

Third place: Public Relations Feature Writing, Mel Coulter, ITD Transporter Online, for “Building friendships and freeways,” (retirement feature on Jim Ross)
Judge’s comments: Well written, but not as fun as the Tomkinson story. Very nice lead again, and good storytelling. As I read about the roads he helped with, I realized I had driven through many of those places.

Third place: Public Relations Internal Newsletter, Cathy Koon, ITD Office of Public Affairs for “Six Bits” newsletter
Judge’s comments: The clarity of the pictures, as well as the color print are nice features of the newsletter…

Third place: Public Relations Media Campaign, Gwen Smith, ITD Office of Public Affairs for U.S. 95 Thorncreek Road to Moscow public involvement campaign
Judge’s comments: Nice layout and easy to understand.