In This Edition:

Lifetime Achievement Award
TWNA Communication Award Winners
Communication Award Statistics
Award Entry Feedback
TWNA Banquet
TWNA Meeting

Jim Winsor Honored With TWNA's Lifetime Achievement Award

James D. Winsor, Executive Editor of Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine, is the latest recipient of the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA) Lifetime Achievement Award. The announcement was made at the TWNA Industry Awards Banquet held at the Mid America Trucking Show.

Mr. Winsor is recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a nervous system disorder, and was unable to attend the banquet. He received the award earlier this month at his home in Ardmore, PA with his wife, Donna, at his side.

He began his distinguished career as a trucking journalist in 1957 with Commercial Car Journal, now CCJ Magazine. He combined his degree in Journalism from the University of Pennsylvania with his knowledge of trucking, gained as a part-time driver while attending college and as an officer in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. While in college, he delivered steel pipe to work sites in order to earn gas money to visit Donna in West Virginia. He and Donna were married just after Jim graduated in June 1955.

Mr. Winsor joined Heavy Duty Trucking in 1983. Through his career as a journalist, he earned six Jesse H. Neal awards for editorial excellence and the G.D. Crain award for outstanding contributions to business media journalistic excellence. Both are given by American Business Media, an association of business information providers.

His efforts extend well beyond journalism. He continues to be active in improving the industry through the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) and the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) of American Trucking Associations (ATA). At NPTC, Mr. Winsor is involved with the presentation of Safety Committee Awards at each year's annual meeting.

In the late 1970s, the TMC Silver Spark Plug award winner was a member of the Transition Committee that brought TMC to full Council status from its origins as the Maintenance Committee of ATA's Regular Common Carriers Conference. Mr. Winsor served six two-year terms as a member of TMC's Board of Directors. His efforts beyond his role as Chairman of Membership and Publicity earned him the Council's Gerri Murphy Membership Award.

As Darry Stuart, current General Chairman of TMC, said, "What sets Jim apart is that he not only has (journalistic) expertise, he has a love and a passion for trucks. That makes a distinct difference in how he writes."

Reflecting on his half-century in trucking journalism, Mr. Winsor said, "If I had it to do all over again, I absolutely would do it all over again."

TWNA Communication Award Winners Announced

As the centerpiece of the annual TWNA Industry Awards Banquet, the fourth annual Communication Award program generated more than 100 entries ranging from newspaper and magazine articles, to covers and layouts, to press kits. More than 60 of the top scoring entries will receive awards. Winners included magazines and publishing companies, public relations firms and individuals.

The competition recognizes excellence in trucking industry journalism in both the trade and the mainstream press, as well as excellence in communication with the industry by public relations professionals. These included TWNA members and non-members.

The Communication Awards include categories for writing, graphics, broadcast, websites, and internal communications, just to name a few. Virtually everything from feature articles, to press kits, to marketing brochures, to magazine redesigns, are all included in the scope of the program. Nearly everything except advertising is eligible for entry.

The award program is administered by Elaine Haessner, co-founder of the International Automotive Media Awards. The entries will be peer-judged against a thoroughly refined and tested standard scale. TWNA membership, although encouraged, is not required to submit entries.

AWARD WINNERS

Magazine Writing - Technical: General - The secret life of engines as told by ECM's - Land Line
Silver to Paul Abelson

Magazine Writing - Entertainment - Goshamighty, am I hungry for a pork chop - Land Line
Silver to Bill Hudgins

Magazine Writing - Feature - Shattered - Land Line
Gold to Suzanne Stempinski

Magazine Writing - News - Toll Hogs - Land Line
Gold to Dave Tanner

Single Issue - Over 100,000 Circulation - August/September 2006 - Land Line
Gold to Land Line Staff

Magazine Writing - Environmental/Regulatory - The Winds of Change - Land Line
Gold to Land Line Staff

Magazine Writing - Feature - You don't mind if I look inside your truck, do you? - Land Line
Gold to Aaron Ladage

Radio - Feature - Semi for a Sleigh - Land Line Now
Gold to Aaron Ladage & Barry Spillman

Magazine Writing - Interview - Bush appointee toeing the line - Land Line
Bronze to Reed Black

Radio - Driver's Lifestlye - Mark Lemke, A Father's Story - Land Line Now
Bronze to Reed Black & Barry Spillman

Radio - Truck Beauty Competition - The Legend of the Black Pearl - Land Line Now
Gold to Reed Black & Barry Spillman

Radio - Interviews - Jack Kapanka, Trucking Troubador - Land Line Now
Bronze to Mark Reddig & Barry Spillman

Radio - Business - Smart Port - Land Line Now
Silver to Terry Scruton, Mark Reddig, & Barry Spillman

Radio - Fiction - Something For Stevie - Land Line Now
Silver to Land Line Now

Single Issue - Newsletter - Transportation Trends & Outlooks - Siefkes Petit Communications
Silver to Doug Siefkes & Siefkes Petit Communications

Single Issue - 20,000-100,000 Circulation - Tire Logic - Siefkes Petit Communications
Gold to Doug Siefkes & Siefkes Petit Communications

Public Relations - Total Campaign - Mid-America 2006 Press Event - ArvinMeritor
Gold to Mike Pennington

Magazine Writing - Company Profile - Betts Truck Parts & Service - Truck Parts & Service
Bronze to Denise Rondini, Jim Moss, Peggy McCambridge, Erin Sund, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Environmental/Regulatory - Safe Handling of Used Oil - Truck Parts & Service
Bronze to Erin Sund, Denise Rondini, Peggy McCambridge, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Interview - Designing the Perfect Website - Truck Parts & Service
Bronze to Jessica Erickson, Denise Rondini, Peggy McCambridge, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Technical: How To - Proper Water Pump, Belt, & Hose Replacement
Truck Parts & Service
Silver to Peggy McCambridge, Denise Rondini, Erin Sund, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Feature - Eye On The Industry - Truck Parts & Service
Gold to Peggy McCambridge, Denise Rondini, Erin Sund, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Feature - State of the Aftermarket - Truck Parts & Service
Gold to Denise Rondini, Peggy McCambridge, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Magazine Writing - Technical: General - FWD's Triple Driveshaft 6x6 - Old Time Trucks
Bronze to Robert Stieg & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Graphics - Single Color Photo - February/March 2006 - Old Time Trucks
Bronze to John Sponholtz & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - Company History - Other - Red Star Trucking - Old Time Trucks
Bronze to Mack Sheesley & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - General History - 100 Years of Motorized Pumping Engines - Old Time Trucks
Silver to Harvey Eckart & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - General History - Ernie Porr & Tri-Drive Oilfield Trucks - Old Time Trucks
Silver to Nertz Tarnasky & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - Column or Series - Tech Tips - Old Time Trucks
Silver to Stan Augustine & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - Feature - The Secrets of Glen Garage - Old Time Trucks
Gold to David Zsido & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Writing - Company History - OEM - Walter Tractor Trucks - Old Time Trucks
Gold to Mark Simiele & Old Time Trucks

Single Issue - Under 20,000 Circulation - February/March 2006 - Old Time Trucks
Bronze to Shirley Sponholtz & Old Time Trucks

Magazine Graphics - Digitally Manipulated Photo - June/July 2006 - Old Time Trucks
Gold to Shirley Sponholtz & Old Time Trucks

Single Issue - PR - Over 100,000 Circulation - World's Best - Fall 2006
Kenworth Truck Company
Silver to Kenworth Truck Company

Magazine Graphics - Total Publication Design - September/October 2006 - Road King
Bronze to Michael Nott

Magazine Graphics - Single B & W Photo - September/October 2006 - Road King
Bronze to David A. Kolman

Magazine Graphics - Single Color Photo - Driven to Help - Road King
Silver to Kristina Maria Krug

Magazine Writing - Feature - The How-To Gang - Road King
Silver to Paul Abelson

Magazine Writing - Entertainment - Off the Hook - Road King
Silver to Katie Dodd

Magazine Writing - Feature - Birth of a Big Rig - Road King
Gold to Katie Dodd

Magazine Writing - Entertainment - Lights! Camera! Truck! - Road King
Gold to Paul Hartley

Magazine Writing - Driver's Lifestyle - Cabover Cool - Road King
Gold to David A. Kolman

Magazine Writing - Environmental/Regulatory - Powered by Nature - Road King
Gold to Nick Krewen

Single Issue - Over 100,000 Circulation - March/April 2006 - Road King
Gold to Parthenon Publishing & Road King

Magazine Graphics - Cover Design - November/December 2005 - Road King
Gold to Michael Nott

Public Relations - Media Kit - 2007 Media Kit - Road King
Gold to Parthenon Publishing & Road King

Internet - News - Truckers Biz News - Write Up the Road
Bronze to Timothy Brady

Radio - Column or Series - Open Road Café - Write Up the Road
Silver to Timothy Brady & Terri Jenkins-Brady

Magazine Writing - Public Service - Ask The Law Q & A - Ol' Blue, USA
Bronze to 10-4 Magazine, Movin' Out, & The Trucker

Internet - Public Service - 2005 FMCSA's Hours of Service Logbook Presentation - Ol' Blue, USA
Bronze to Nebraska State Patrol

Radio - Public Service - Ask The Law - Ol' Blue, USA
Gold to Trooper Dial, Sergeant Brokaw, & Alcoa Wheel Products

Magazine Writing - Business - Meltdown: Hidden Costs of Mild Winter - Truck West
Bronze to Steven Macleod

Magazine Writing - Company Profile - CPX - Truck West
Bronze to Steven Macleod

Magazine Writing - Column or Series - Voice of the O/O - Truck News
Bronze to Joanne Ritchie & Truck News

Magazine Writing - Technical: General - The Big Chill - Truck News
Bronze to Adam Ledlow

Magazine Writing - Feature - Atlantica: The Forgotten Region - Truck News
Silver to Adam Ledlow

Magazine Writing - Column or Series - Countdown to 07 - Truck News
Silver to James Menzies

Magazine Writing - News - Speed Limited - Truck News
Silver to James Menzies

Magazine Writing - Product Applications - On Thin Ice - Truck News
Gold to James Menzies

Magazine Writing - Pamphlet - Are You Secure? Vol II - Motortruck
Gold to Lou Smyrlis

Magazine Writing - Editorial - Le transport, c'est de la logistique. Ou serait-ce l'inverse?
L'Echo du transport
Silver to Eric Berard

Magazine Writing - Feature - C'est quand le chemin devient dur que les vrais durs font leur chemin
L'Echo du transport
Gold to Eric Berard

Radio - Feature - The Ice Road - Remote Show - CBC Radio
Gold to Erin Ward & Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Magazine Writing - Company Profile - The Show Must Go On
RPM For Truckers - Bronze to Tom Kelley & American Graphics Group

Magazine Writing - Technical: General - Don't Be Fuelish - Big Rig Owner
Silver to Tom Kelley & American Graphics Group

Newspaper Writing - Business - "Pennies from heaven?..." - The Trucker & Target Media Partners
Silver to Kevin Jones & The Trucker

Newspaper Writing - Feature - Sleep Series - The Trucker & Target Media Partners
Gold to Lyndon Finney, Jerry Breeden, Barb Kampbell, Dorothy Cox, & The Trucker

Public Relations - Commentary - Written Testimony On Intellectual Property Rights
June 26, 2006 - Marcus Thomas Public Relations
Gold to Anthony LaPlaca & Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems

 

Best of Public Relations
Mid-America 2006 Press Event
ArvinMeritor
Mike Pennington

Best of Magazine Writing
State of the Aftermarket
Truck Parts & Service
Denise Rondini, Peggy McCambridge, & Kim Ehrenhaft

Best of Graphics
Cover Design - November/December 2005
Road King
Michael Nott

Best Single Issue
August/September 2006
Land Line
Land Line Staff

Best of Radio
The Ice Road - Remote Show
CBC Radio
Erin Ward & Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Best of 2006
Mid-America 2006 Press Event
ArvinMeritor
Mike Pennington

 

Communication Awards - By The Numbers

For those who may be curious, the 2007 TWNA Communication Award program garnered a total of 114 entries, spread across 8 Divisions and 39 Categories. Of those entries, 68 received Category Level awards in 7 Divisions and 32 Categories. The medal breakdown at the Category Level was 20 Bronze, 20 Silver, and 28 Gold. Best of Division Awards were only presented in 5 Divisions.

Unlike the olympics and many other award programs, just having entries in one of our program's categories does not ensure that any of those entries will receive an award. Nor is any one category limited to only one Bronze, Silver or Gold.

The award program accepts entries in a total of 16 Divisions and 69 Categories. While some Categories are applicable in multiple Divisions, other Categories are specific to one Division. In total, there are 475 possible Division/Category permutations under which entries can be submitted. Realistically speaking though, only one or two of those permutations are likely to apply to any one entry.

So why do we have so many categories? Given that the scoring process at the Category Level is based solely against a well-refined standard, and that competition between the highest scoring (98 points and above) entries only takes place at the Best of Division level, the diverse range of categories is designed to accomplish two purposes.

First, it clarifies the intent of the author's work to the judges scoring the entry. An entry that may be a top-notch editorial or commentary could potentially be viewed as being full of holes if it were to be scored as a technical or historical entry.

Second, because our process does not allow any one entrant to win more than one award per category, the range of categories provides the incentive for an entrant to submit a diverse range of their work, not just entries from the entrant's strongest niche.

Hopefully, this information will eliminate some confusion and make the Communication Award entry form seem a bit less complicated. However, as is noted on the form, if you have any questions whatsoever about the entry process and proper classification of an entry, you are encouraged to make inquiries to the program administrator using the contact info provided on the form.

Communication Award Entry Feedback

For those entrants who are interested in feedback on their entries, annotated versions of the judging results are available upon request. Please contact the program administrator, Elaine Haessner at the International Society for Vehicle Preservation (ISVP).

TWNA Banquet

The Fourth Annual TWNA Industry Awards Banquet was another resounding success. Approximately 150 attendees were on hand to recognize the best communication work of 2006, the current recipient of the TWNA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Goodyear Highway Hero presentation.

Photographer Paul Hartley and his crew were on hand to photograph the event and shoot portraits of the award winners. We'll post a selection of lo-res images on the website over the next few weeks, but if you'd like to receive hi-res copies of any of the photos, please contact TWNA HQ at admin@twna.org via e-mail. The photos will be provided as sRGB JPEG's for inkjet printing, but can also be converted to RGB for four-color printing.

Apart from our perennial thermostat issues and a software glitch, the event went quite smoothly. Maybe next year we can work in some type of Hawaiian Luau theme and relax the dress code to fit the room temperature. . . No, on second thought that would likely guarantee we'd have a blizzard during the event. And who really wants to see David Kolman in a grass skirt?

But seriously, kudos go out to David for another great performance as our MC, to Derek Smith, Jami Jones, Paul Abelson, Tom Berg, and Mike Pennington for their work on the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, and to our generous sponsors for making the event possible:

Platinum Level
Peterbilt
Caterpillar
ArvinMeritor

Gold Level
Kenworth
Goodyear
Truck-Lite
Shell Lubricants

Silver Level
Freightliner Group - Great Dane
Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association - ZF Group

Bronze Level
Alcoa - American Trucking Associations - Bendix
General Motors - Grote - Mack - Volvo
Mid America Trucking Show

TWNA Meeting

At our Friday meeting, we departed from the usual format and had a guest speaker deliver an educational presentation for our members. Dr. Terry Woychowski, Executive Director of Vehicle Systems Engineering for General Motors, explained what to consider when evaluating a vehicle during a test drive. Thanks to TWNA's Midwest Press Director Paul Abelson, and the crew at GM for arranging this special opportunity.

Also at the meeting, we continued our tradition of "passing the gavel" from our recently retired Board members to their newly elected replacements. In return, the new directors honored the service of their predecessors by placing them "Out of Service" with an industry-standard "Red Tag" and a certificate of thanks.

Other business included a reminder that we still needed a volunteer to maintain our Press Event Clearinghouse Calendar. For many years, Tom Gelinas of Fleet Equipment Magazine ran the Clearinghouse as a resource for our Associate Members to help minimize potential conflicts when scheduling press events. As Tom moves closer to retirement, the TWNA Board expressed the desire to transfer this task to another member who could more actively promote the Clearinghouse.

Subsequent to the meeting, Shirley Sponholtz of Old Time Trucks and James Menzies of Truck News volunteered to head up this project. Thanks to Tom Gelinas for his years of service on the Clearinghouse, along with kudos to Shirley and James for offering to continue Tom's efforts.