MVI staff captures statewide advertising awards
Graphic artists Kayla Allen-Russo and Deb Pace garnered three first-place and one second-place award in the prestigious contest.
By the MVI
The Mon Valley Independent’s advertising graphic artist team captured four awards in the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Foundation’s annual advertising contest for work published last year.
The winners were announced Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA) Foundation Advertising Contest recognizes advertising departments across the state that continue to produce outstanding printed and digital classified and display ads, campaigns and special publications and efforts worthy of much recognition.
The Mon Valley Independent competed in Division IV with newspapers across the state with a circulation of less than 10,000.
MVI graphic artists Kayla Allen- Russo and Deb Pace captured the following awards:
• First place — Best Single Print Ad for “Nice & Cozy All Season Long” (advertiser, DiPaola Quality Climate Control LLC).
• First place — Self Promotion Advertising, “Stay in the Game with the Mon Valley Independent.”
• First place — Most Improved Ad for Candelore’s Barking Beauties.
• Second place — Small Space Ad for Armando’s Pizza.
Senior graphic designer Kayla Allen- Russo has been with the MVI since it opened in 2016, and has been a newspaper graphic/prepress designer for 17 of her 20 years of graphic design experience.
She started at the former Valley Independent in 2008, where she garnered awards for her work.
Allen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology of Tampa, Fla.
In her spare time, she works with her husband, Jason Russo, as Mon Valley Pro Wrestling owners putting together shows and graphics. She also enjoys spending time with their dogs Lucky, Luna and Daisy, and playing video games.
“I am very proud of my department and I believe we are the best in the Pittsburgh area for all your graphic design and advertising needs,” Allen said.
A graphic designer her whole working life spanning five decades, Deb Pace started her career in the print industry, then worked for several ad agencies from Washington, D.C., to California. She earned an ADDY award for Best Creative Ad Series and Best Art Direction for newspaper or magazine. She joined the MVI art department in 2021.
In her spare time, she plays finger- style blues guitar, which her dachshund Cooper enjoys fully.
AWARDS • A4
00080497 Winners will be honored at an awards luncheon Sept. 25 in conjunction with PNA’s Advertising Conference, scheduled for Sept. 24-26 in State College.
MVI Advertising and Circulation Director Lori Byron is looking toward the future and bringing its successes to area businesses and organizations.
“There is never a doubt that these ladies are very talented. Kayla and Deb complement each other with their creative styles,” said Byron. “We are fortunate to have them as part of our team. The businesses that advertise with us can always count on a fresh and eye-catching ad to get their events noticed. We are all very proud of their accomplishments and congratulate them for winning the PNA awards.”
