CNA – can do… Times three!

Winning isn’t everything, but it can demonstrate that we’re on the right track.

The recent Community Newspaper Association (CNA) awards saw three members of the Times Media team claim due rewards.

In addition to a double in the Best Sales Professional category – won by Tessa Wards with Lucy Peterson as runner-up – production manager Clare McGillivray was named runner-up Best Graphic Designer, a category she has won numerous times for Times over the years.

While Wards says she is still “on cloud nine” in one way, her feet are firmly back on the ground at Times’ Pukekohe office.

“What an incredible feeling to be recognised,” she says. “I’m so grateful for the support of my clients and colleagues along the way. Building strong relationships with local businesses and helping them grow and achieve great results is what I love most about this role, so receiving this award is both humbling and motivating.”

At just 21, Wards’ sales teammate Peterson is a rising star of the wider group.

“It was a real privilege to receive this award” says Peterson. “As one of the youngest members of Times Media, it means a lot to have my efforts recognised and to be acknowledged for the work I’ve put in.”

The judges’ comments reflect this:

‘[Wards’] commitment to increasing sales revenue has played a key role in the growth of Franklin Times and her ability to build trust with local businesses has paid dividends for the publication.

‘[Peterson’s] year-on-year portfolio growth across [Eastern and Franklin Times] is impressive, particularly as this work is wrapped around full-time study.’

A veteran of the annual CNA Awards, Times’ production manager, McGillivray knows not to take success in the fiercely contested design category for granted.

“Every year is different creatively; I’m grateful to still have work acknowledged by the industry,” she says.

The judges agreed:

‘An excellent field of entrants made judging this category incredibly difficult. What stood out was a clear focus on creating meaningful impact and the finalists achieved that in impressive ways,’ their notes confirm.

‘Congratulations to all of the designers who entered – the standard of work was exceptionally high.’

Visit cna.org.nz for a complete list of award winners.