Florida Claims Swimming World Magazine’s Media Guide Cover of the Year Award

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 15. IN the second award given out by Swimming World to honor the work of the publicists around the country who strive to keep swimming in the front of everyone's eyes, Florida captured our Media Guide Cover of the Year accolade.

The cover, put together by Group 5 Advertising of Gainesville, Fla., on behalf of the Florida media relations department prominently features the school's mascot. The media guide was created under the direction of editor Meghan Gannon, and assistant editors Fred Demarest, Jaime Handy, John Hines and Cory Walton with special thanks given to student assistant Rachel Robins. The combined efforts won this year's honor based on a vote by the Phoenix-based staff of the magazine.

Last year, Swimming World honored four guides with top-three finishes with a pair of guides tying for third. This year, we expanded out to a top-five vote with six total covers earning recognition.

Iowa State's cover, which features seniors Emily Welborn, Krista Fehl and Lindsay Wiesner, placed second in voting. The cover was designed by Paul Meenan, while the guide was written and created by Matt Shoultz, Trevor Mickelson and Michelle Kalkhoff.

Taking third, the University of Tennessee's women's cover came with a theme of LVTV – Lady Vol Team Vision; It's What's On NOW!. Cover graphic enhancement was done by Freeman Melancon Bryant Advertising. The overall guide was overseen by Casey Self with assistance from Debby Jennings, Eric Trainer, Brian Davis, Cameron Harris, Kelly Hayes and Courtney Tysinger.

William & Mary's cover came in fourth in the competition. The cover was designed by Jacob Skipper with special thanks given to Pete Clawson, Alex Ball, Rob Turner and Sarah Sibley. Skipper also provided the layout, design and writing for the guide.

A pair of guides tied for fifth with Limestone and the Minnesota Women's covers each catching the eye of our voters.

Minnesota's cover featured swimmers Roxane Akradi, Christine Jennings, Yuen Kobayashi, Meredith McCarthy, Erin Holtmeyer, Stacy Busack and Jenny Shaughnessy. Sara Berhow and Jeff Keiser were responsible for the cover as well as the layout and design of the guide. Michelle Traen oversaw the writing and compilation within the interior of the publication.

Division II Limestone College proved that you don't have to be Division I to be able to put out a great cover as Leah Melichar proved with her entry. Chris Harrigan and Donna Wickham were featured on the cover in a photo by Steve Torrance, while Melichar designed and wrote the rest of the guide.

Thanks to each media relations department for providing copies of each cover (seen at the right).

In the coming weeks, Swimming World will crown its Media Guide of the Year award. Each submitted guide is judged primarily on the school's attention to the history of the programs involved as well as the usefulness of content included in each guide. Additionally, guides will be rated based on the overall look and design of each publication.

To make sure your guide is submitted in next year's competitions, please send each publication to Swimming World Magazine, Attn: Jason Marsteller, 2744 East Glenrosa, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

2008 Honorees:
Cover of the Year: Florida
Placing: Iowa State (2nd), Tennessee Women (3rd), William & Mary (4th), Limestone/Minnesota Women (5th).

2007 Honorees:
2007 Announcement
Cover of the Year: Texas A&M Women
Placing: Texas Women (2nd), TCU/Tennessee Women (3rd)

Tennessee Women Media Guide Cover 2008

Minnesota Women Media Guide Cover 2008

Iowa State Media Guide Cover 2008

William & Mary

Limestone Media Guide Cover 2008

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use