We’re number one in New York!
Schneps Media — the parent company of amNY.com, amNewYork Metro and more than 85 publications across New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, Philadelphia and Florida — can proudly proclaim itself as the best local news organization in the Empire State after achieving the highest point total in the 2023 New York Press Association (NYPA) Better Newspaper Contest.
The annual awards, presented during the NYPA Spring Conference in Saratoga Springs on April 26-27, recognize outstanding, high-quality journalism produced by community newspapers throughout the Empire State.
Schneps Media newspapers and websites achieved 440 points during the contest, the most of any news group in New York state. Both amNewYork Metro and Dan’s Papers, our sister publication in the Hamptons, were among the top five newspapers overall in the competition.
Company-wide, Schneps Media secured a combined 36 first-, second- and third-place awards, reflecting the high-quality work of its team of editors, reporters, photographers, graphic designers and salespeople.
One of the highest honors went to Kirstyn Brendlen, digital editor of The Brooklyn Paper and amNewYork Metro contributor, who was named NYPA Writer of the Year. She won the top honors after finishing second the two previous years. The judges said Brendlen’s “style of writing makes you feel a part of each of her stories,” and offers “a nice mix of investigative journalism and thought-provoking questions.”
“I am incredibly proud of our team for these awards and recognition by our media peers,” said Joshua Schneps, CEO of Schneps Media. “To be number 1 in New York state is a great testament to the talent, hard work and dedication of our staff.”
amNewYork Metro earned three first-place awards for its reporting. Dean Moses, breaking news editor and 2022 NYPA Photographer of the Year, received top honors for Spot New Photos, Division 3, for numerous images he snapped while covering the plight of homeless New Yorkers.
Ben Brachfeld, transit editor, won first place for Coverage of Local Government, Division 2, for his reporting on numerous public transit issues around the city — from slow bus speeds to e-bikes and others.
And amNewYork Metro won first place in Best News or Feature Series, Division 2, for its “Tales of Survival” series, which profiled migrants who have arrived in New York City in recent months, as written by Ethan Stark-Miller, senior political reporter, along with reporters Iryna Shkurhan and Michael Dorgan.
amNewYork Metro also placed second overall for Best News Website. The judges said that amNY.com is “a creative and dynamic website with a bold design. The inclusion of videos and inline photos in stories adds depth to the reader’s experience.”
For more information, visit amNY.com and schnepsmedia.com.
