The Newspaper Association of America’s New Media Federation awarded its Digital Edge awards to various online newspapers at this year’s Connections conference in Orlando, Fla.

The NAA’s “Edgies” are given to newspapers judges believe cultivate relationships with new readers and interactively enrich advertisers’ messages. This year’s winners were selected from 118 entries in four categories – Most Innovative Use of Digital Media: News Event Coverage; Most Innovative Use of Digital Media: Features/Enterprise; Best Sports Site; and Best Advertising Program.

“This year’s recipients carry on a long tradition of innovation and provide a glimpse of the true power of online,” said Ian Murdock, president of the federation and digital media director of Hearst Newspapers. “Stories like The Herald-Sun’s ‘The Long Road Home’ and The Chicago Tribune’s ‘Still Standing’ were captivating and complete, with interesting navigation and respect for the viewer, while The Washington Post’s treatment of advertising for a jeweler was both attention getting and effective while being respectful to reader sensibilities. For those that argue that the Web is not a medium unto itself, viewing samples from this year’s finalists and winners will undoubtedly convince them otherwise.”

Twenty-one digital-media journalists, advertising experts, analysts and educators served as judges. Judges were assigned to a category based on their professional expertise. Among areas judged were richness of editorial information, reader services and design presentation.

2003 New Media Pioneer

In addition to the Edgies, the federation also selected Christian A. Hendricks as this year’s New Media Pioneer. Hendricks is vice president of interactive media for the McClatchy Co.

Hendricks oversees the development of McClatchy’s newspaper-affiliated sites and regional portals. He also is responsible for cultivating Nando Media, a provider of online publishing and technology services, into one of the industry’s preeminent brands.

“Chris Hendricks embodies NAA’s definition of a ‘Pioneer,’” said John E. Kimball, NAA senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “He is revered for his ability to analyze future business opportunities before others even know they exist, and to lead them to profitability even as he raises the bar on creativity.”