By Rita Howell
For the second year in a row, The Panolian’s advertising staff has been awarded the top honor in its division in the Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The Panolian won the Advertising Excellence Award in the division for the state’s largest weeklies and bi-weeklies, tying with the Lamar Times.

Awards were announced Saturday at the MPA’s Mid-Winter Conference in Jackson.
Panolian graphic designers Margaret Buntin and Cassie White received a total of 17 awards, including four first place honors.

Buntin received a first place award in the black and white political advertisement competition, for an ad for Mayor Jerry Autrey.

White earned first place honors in the black and white small space advertisement category for a “Happy New Year” message from Moore Body Shop.

Buntin and White received a first place award for their collaboration on a Memorial Day page honoring Panola’s war casualties of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Their combined efforts earned the Advertising Excellence plaque.

In addition to the graphic designers, The Panolian’s advertising department includes sales representatives Felecia Neal, Amy Geiger and Madison Drake. Margaret Buntin is advertising manager and Myra Bean is assistant advertising manager.

“Once again, we are pleased that our peers in the industry agree that our ad staff members are among the best in the industry, Panolian publisher John Howell said. “Their professionalism and attention to detail provide our advertising customers outstanding value with creativity and imagination.

“Their efforts reflect pride in their work, this newspaper and the Panola County community. We appreciate what they have accomplished,” Howell said.