ACCESS SARASOTA HONORED
WITH HERMES AWARDS

Sarasota, FL: Access Sarasota has been honored with two prestigious Hermes awards for two video presentations produced by City of Sarasota employees and shown on Channel 19. An honorable mention was also received for creative video script writing.

The Hermes Awards is a respected international competition hosted by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, an organization comprised of television production, marketing, communication, advertising, public relations professionals. More than 3,000 entries were received this year throughout the nation. Judging is based on professional standards, excellence and merit. Outstanding achievement is recognized with a Platinum Award, the highest honor, a Gold Award or a Bronze. Approximately 15% of this year’s entries earned a Platinum Award.

The March 2007 edition of “City Life” was honored with a Platinum Hermes Award. “On Patrol: Special edition” earned a Gold Hermes Award and the video script written for the story “Dancing Among the Stars” received an honorable mention. “We are dedicated to providing high quality programming for our residents about the City of Sarasota,” said Jan Thornburg, City of Sarasota Public Information Officer. “We hear from viewers on a regular basis how much they enjoy our programs, but it’s especially gratifying to be acknowledged by our peers in the industry for our technical and creative abilities,” said Thornburg.

“City Life” is a magazine style show highlighting interesting events and programs within the City of Sarasota. The episode which earned the Platinum Hermes included features about the clown statues dotting the downtown, the return visit of renowned urban planner Andres Duany, the decline of recycling within the City plus many other stories. Enjoy the award winning episode by going to: City Life - March 2007

Miles Larsen is the videographer, editor, writer and field producer for “City Life”. Jan Thornburg hosts the program, writes stories and serves as the executive producer.

“On Patrol: Special Edition”, a program dedicated to educating the public about a bond referendum to build a new police headquarters, was recognized with a Gold Hermes. John Nopper served as the videographer and editor. The executive producer was Jan Thornburg. The show was hosted by Police Chief Peter Abbott. Watch this award winning program at:
On Patrol: Special Edition

The honorable mention was awarded to Jan Thornburg for video script writing for the feature, “Dancing Among the Stars”, a light feature showcasing then-Mayor Fredd “Glossie” Atkins and then-Commissioner Lou Ann Palmer as they attempted to learn ballroom dancing for a charitable fund raiser. The story was featured in the December 2006 edition of “City Life” and can be viewed at: City Life - December 2006

John Nopper, a government access production specialist, has been employed by the City of Sarasota for six years. He produces the monthly magazine show, “On Patrol”, featuring the latest happenings within the Sarasota Police Department. Prior to working for the City, he was a photojournalist at WWSB in Sarasota. This is his first Hermes Award.

Miles Larsen has been the City’s government access program coordinator for the past seven years. He produces the monthly magazine show, “City Life”. His background is in news, previously working at WWSB in Sarasota as a photojournalist. This is his first Hermes Award.

Jan Thornburg is the Public Information Officer for the City of Sarasota. She writes and produces features for “City Life”, which she also hosts. Before joining the City of Sarasota in 2004, she was an award winning television news journalist at WTVT in Tampa. She and her work have appeared on Fox News, CNN, CBS and “Good Morning America”. These are her first Hermes Awards.

For more information, please contact:
Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com