The ECHO has been named Regional Newspaper of the Year in the NMA Wired 2020 Newspaper and Magazine Awards.
Judges singled out the coverage of Liverpool FC’s Champions League win in 2019 which saw a series of in-paper specials as well as a print supplement to mark the Reds’ achievement.
The ECHO was also sold, for the first time in its history, in Madrid to travelling fans.
Judges were also impressed at the brand’s ability to maximise the opportunity which saw more than 87,000 additional copies sold. The coverage also achieved impressive global social reach.
In addition, the ECHO scooped Campaign of the Year, again for the Champions League coverage, beating national brands such as the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Guardian.
Regional newspaper sales director Andrew Crosthwaite said: “I’m delighted the Liverpool ECHO has been recognised like this.
“There was a common theme across both our entries and that was collaboration. Multiple departments were involved and we got the best possible return from what was a major sale opportunity.”
Liverpool ECHO Print Editor Susan Lee said: “I am thrilled that the ECHO has been recognised at these awards.
“We knew the Champions League was a huge opportunity for us but it’s one thing to recognise that and quite another to deliver it.
“It’s a tribute to the fantastic team which works on the ECHO every day, not just the journalists but right across the company.”
The annual awards, organised by the Association of Circulation Executives (ACE) recognise individuals and brands from the worlds of newspaper and magazine publishing as well as wholesale, distribution and retail.
The event was staged virtually for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
