NATCHEZ &045; The Natchez Democrat’s advertising department picked up 22 awards, including six first-place awards, in the Mississippi Press Association’s 2004 Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards were announced Saturday as part of MPA’s Mid-Winter Conference in Jackson. The Democrat competes in Daily Division B, which includes newspapers with circulations of 9,000 to 20,000. &uot;I’m very proud of this staff,&uot;

Advertising Director Glenn Smith said. &uot;They work very hard to deliver creative ideas to their customers every day. I enjoy seeing them receive (this) recognition from their peers.&uot;

Awards The Democrat’s advertising staff received Saturday included:

Best institutional or service advertisement, black and white, first place, Barbara Owens, &uot;Alcoa.&uot;

Best grocery advertisement, black and white, first place, Owens, &uot;Super Foods.&uot;

Best institutional advertisement, one or more spot colors, first place, Ann Janette, &uot;United Mississippi Bank Convenience.&uot;

Best institutional advertisement, one or more spot colors, second place, Sue Loy, &uot;ASO.&uot;

Best institutional advertisement, one or more spot colors, third place, Janette, &uot;UMB Locations.&uot;

Best political advertisement, spot color, third place (for all dailies), Adam Gwin, &uot;Buck Pintard.&uot;

Best automobile advertisement, spot color, second place, Janette, &uot;Southland Mazda Delivers.&uot;

Best automobile advertisement, spot color, third place, Janette, &uot;No Tricks.&uot;

Best use of process color, retail, third place, Janette, &uot;Katie’s.&uot;

Best use of process color, institutional, second place, Janette &uot;UMB Dreams.&uot;

Best use of process color, grocery, first place, Janette, &uot;The Markets.&uot;

Best use of process color, grocery, second place, Janette and Jennifer Walters, &uot;The Markets Easter.&uot;

Best use of process color, political, second place, Adam Gwin, &uot;Hank Smith.&uot;

Best section or edition dedicated to an editorial topic, second place, staff, &uot;Cathedral Champions.&uot;

Best section or edition dedicated to a retail sales promotion, second place, staff, &uot;Spring 2004 Pilgrimage.&uot;

Best series of ads, second place, Janette, &uot;Natchez Regional Medical Center.&uot;

Best theme page, first place, staff, &uot;Spring Fashion.&uot;

Best advertising promotion, second place (all dailies), staff, &uot;Hometown Christmas.&uot;

Best house ad, editorial, first place (all dailies), staff, &uot;Community Connections.&uot;

Best house ad, Web site, second place (all dailies), staff, &uot;We Tell More.&uot;

Best house ad, Web site, third place (all dailies), staff, &uot;www.natchezdemocrat.com.&uot;

Silver Dollar Idea Award, second place (all dailies).