By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

The Shelby County Reporter won several advertising awards in the 2012 Alabama Press Association contest.

The awards were announced last week by DeeAnn Campbell, chairperson of the APA advertising contest committee.

Thirty-five newspapers submitted 764 entries in this year’s contest, which was judged by the Nebraska Press Association.

The Shelby County Reporter competes in Category C, against other larger community weekly newspapers.

Director of Sales and Marketing Alan Brown said winning the APA awards is valued recognition for the Reporter’s continued excellence.

“We continue to work hard to produce ads that appeal to our marketing customers and readers alike,” Brown said. “Winning these awards is merely an indication that we are headed in the right direction, but we will strive to improve and deliver even better results for the businesses we serve. We appreciate the recognition.”

The Reporter won the following awards:

-First place, Best Single Ad under one-half page, black and white, for “The 2011 All-County Football Team” ad by staff.

-First place, Best Regularly Scheduled Special Section, for “Profile 2011” by Daniel Holmes and Jamie Sparacino.

-First place, Best Signature Page, for “Sisters, Daughters, Mothers, Wives. Early Detection Saves Lives!” page by LaShan Johnson and Tracy Jones.

-First place, Best Use of Humor, for “Bolton Funeral Home” ad by staff.

-Second place, Best Classified Page or Section.

-Second place, Best Single Ad under one-half page, color, for “Whigmaleerie Day” ad by staff.

-Second place, Best In-Paper Promotion of Newspaper, for “The 2011 All-County Football Team” promotion by staff.

-Third place, Best Single Ad under one-half page, black and white, for “Calera Animal Clinic” ad by staff.

-Third place, Best Advertising Campaign, for “Alabaster Optical & Hearing Aid Service” campaign by Meagan Mims.

-Third place, Best Classified Display Ad, for “Kentucky Fried Chicken” ad by staff.

-Third place, Best Niche Publication, for “High School Fall 2011 Schedule” by Daniel Holmes and Jamie Sparacino.

Winners of the Sweepstakes Award, the top advertising prize, will be announced in July at the 2012 Southeastern Press Convention in Destin, Fla. Other awards will be presented then too, along with winners from the editorial contest. The winners of the editorial contest have not been announced yet.