WisContext website receives accolades
It’s only been up a year, but the WisContext website at wiscontext.org, created in partnership with La Crosse-based Vendi Advertising, is already gaining recognition for its fresh approach and deep dive into publishing news and information about issues that affect Wisconsin. The Midwest Broadcast Journalism Association recently awarded the website first place in the Medium Market Television category. In addition, Wisconsin Public Television received an Award of Merit in Team Multimedia Storytelling in Medium Markets for its coverage of an Elizabethkingia outbreak in Wisconsin. Elizabethkingia is a bacteria that causes blood infections that can be fatal.
WisContext was also recognized by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association with third place awards for Best Website (wiscontext.org) and Best Web Story for its Elizabethkingia coverage, and Milwaukee Press Club silver awards for Best Public Service Story or Series for “Understanding Well Water and Improving its Quality” and Best Use of Multi-Platform Reporting (Online) for “Voter ID in an Election Year.” The project also received bronze awards from the Milwaukee Press Club in the website category for wiscontext.org and Best Investigative Story (Online) for “DNR Lead Pipe Replacement Plan.”
Madison-based WisContext is a collaborative effort between Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Together, journalists and educators develop content in a multimedia approach to provide insight and context on issues that affect Wisconsin residents. The project presents supporting research and documentation that helps fill the gaps that exist in traditional media. WisContext goes a step further by offering tips, how-to guides and other useful information to help state residents with everyday choices.
Vendi Advertising of La Crosse was a strategic partner in developing the WisContext brand and designing and developing the website. Working within the Drupal CMS framework, the website was designed so that native content plus information and audio files from WPR and videos from WPT could easily be added by WisContext editors and design elements and functionality be retained.
Visit WisContext at www.wiscontext.org
