March 29, 2024

Hansen, The Advertiser win big at AFCP conference in Savannah

Savannah treated Clarke County Publishing well during the month of April.

Osceola Sentinel-Tribune news editor Amy Hansen and publisher Rich Paulsen attended the Association of Free Community Papers’ (AFCP) conference April 9-11 and came back with some hardware to show for the business’ hard work.

Clarke County Publishing’s free paper “The Advertiser” received first place in the conference’s Best of the Best awards for “Grocery — single ad — black and white ad printed on newsprint.”

The ad was originally made for Osceola Hy-Vee.

“I’m delighted with the first place ad that The Advertiser and Hy-Vee received at the recent AFCP national conference in Savannah, Ga.,” Paulsen said. “To be judged first with hundreds of entries in the ad contest is a real honor. Our staff works on hard on making good looking advertising that is effective for our local merchants.”

Rising Star

Also during the conference, Hansen was awarded with a plaque for being a second year AFCP Rising Star. She was first inducted into the program in 2014 during an AFCP conference in Orlando, Fla.

“I value my experience as a Rising Star very much,” Hansen said. “It has allowed me to meet and learn from industry people who are from across the entire U.S. I also enjoy the opportunity to be a regular column contributor in AFCP’s INK Magazine. Not only does this opportunity allow me to be a leader, but I also have the chance to contribute with my editorial skills.”

The AFCP Rising Stars was founded as a way to identify and award young talent in the free paper industry, as well as provide individuals with additional training opportunities.

Since Hansen has an editorial background, she was put on the INK Magazine committee for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 publication schedule. She also contributes to monthly conference calls for the Rising Stars and INK Magazine.

Rising Stars greatly contribute with helping to run the AFCP Conference, which is also in conjunction with Southern Advertising Publishing Association (SAPA).

Helping out

Hansen had the opportunity to sit in and help with The Leadership Institute (TLI) sessions and editorial content classes that were held during the conference.

She also helped contribute to a management session that was held for Rising Stars and led by Dr. Andy Hoh of Creighton University.

“I like sitting in Andy Hoh’s sessions because he gives you a case scenario and really makes you think about what you would do in each situation, “ Hansen said. “He makes you think on your toes and helps you to make better leadership decisions. AFCP is providing the Rising Stars tools we can use in the future of our careers.”

Silent auction success

This year, the Rising Stars debuted a new event for the conference — a silent auction. It was something they planned and organized themselves. Funding from the silent auction will go back to aid Rising Stars conference scholarships.

“I was so proud the Rising Stars’ silent auction made more than $5,000 in its first year ever,” Hansen said. “I was involved in the process from its inception to its final touches and thought the team effort really helped toward its success. It showed what the Rising Stars can do as a group when we put our heads together. This is just one reason why I love attending the AFCP annual conference.”