The Greenville Advocate won 23 statewide awards in the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards were presented Saturday night at the Alabama Press Association Summer Convention at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Fla.

The Advocate was awarded first place in Advertising Sweepstakes, the top award given in the advertising competition, as well as second place in General Web Excellence and third place in General Excellence. General Web Excellence is the top award presented in each division for a paper’s use of its website. Winners are chosen based on the content, navigation, visual/design, advertising, interactivity and timely news coverage, while General Excellence is the highest award given in each of the APA’s four divisions.

General Excellence awards are based on total points earned in five areas: issues submitted for the general excellence category; awards in eight general categories; awards in the public service and Freedom of Information categories; awards in single event categories; and awards from the advertising contest.

“I am extremely proud of the staff of The Greenville Advocate for being recognized with a total of 23 awards for advertising and editorial excellence by the Alabama Press Association,” said Tracy Salter, publisher of Greenville Newspapers, LLC.  “A lot of hard work and dedication goes into producing award winning publications. I am proud to work alongside a team of talented people that strive to produce quality products for our community each week.”

Overall, the Advocate won nine first-place awards in the contest.

Seventy-two newspapers submitted 2,668 entries in the annual contest. The Kentucky Press Association judged the entries.

Awards won by the Advocate include:

• First place for Advertising Sweepstakes by staff
• First place for Best Editorial Page or Section by staff
• First place for Best Human Interest Column for “Kimbro turns adversity into triumph” by Andy Brown
• First place for Best Photo Essay for “Cirque 2012” by Andy Brown
• First place for Best Headline for “Holy infestation, Batman” by Andy Brown
• First place for Best Single Black and White Ad Half-Page and Under for First United Methodist Church by Tracy Salter
• First place for Best In-Paper Promotion for “Play the Name Game” by Tammy Faulk
• First place for Best Advertising Campaign for “Halloween Spooktacular Savings by Tracy Salter
• First place for Best Signature Page for “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” by staff
•  Second place for General Web Excellence
• Second place for Best Presswork
• Second place for Best Regularly Scheduled Special Section for “Butler’s Best” by staff
• Third place for General Excellence by staff
• Third place for Best Humorous Column for “Tooth is gone, nightmares remain” by Andy Brown
• Third place for Best Use of Graphics or Illustrations for “Holy infestation, Batman” by Andy Brown
• Third place for Best Niche Publication for “Camellia Magazine Fall 2012” by staff
• Third place for Online Breaking News Coverage by staff
• Third place for Best Presentation of Online Advertising by staff
• Third place for Best Single Black and White Ad Over Half a Page for Benefit Planners, Inc. by Tracy Salter
• Third place for Best Regularly Scheduled Special Section for “The Playbook” by staff
• Third place for Best One-Time Special Section for “When I Grow Up” by staff
• Third place for Best In-Paper Promotion for “A little birdy told me …” by staff
• Third place for Best Signature Page for “Memorial Day” by staff