MaLinda Media Wins Big at Addy Awards

MaLinda Media swept the categories it had entered winning three golds and three silvers in the 28th Annual Virgin Islands Advertising Federation Addy Awards on Saturday, April 25, on St. Thomas.

The company, owned by MaLinda Nelson, publishes St. John Magazine and St. Thomas Magazine. While the cutoff date for this year’s awards made the inaugural issue of St. Thomas Magazine ineligible for the competition, MaLinda Media swept three categories with St. John Magazine’s two 2008 issues alone.

MaLinda Media took gold in the magazine cover category with the St. John Magazine Fall/Winter 2008 issue which features a Steve Simonsen photograph of a woman playfully flipping her hair in the water with a golden sunset melting into the background.

Nelson’s publishing company also took gold and two silvers in the editorial spread category. The feature on Sheila Liburd’s culinary skills, “Sheila’s Pot: A Colorful Landmark and Melting Pot of Island Cuisine,” in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of St. John Magazine took the gold. The piece was photographed by Ervin Dorsett Jr., and written by Andrea Milam.

The two silver awards were for “Positive Vibrations with Homegrown Reggae Starts Inner Visions” also in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue — written by Jaime Elliott and photographed by Dorsett — and “A Vision for Fish: A Blind Fisherman Provides for A Community,” in the magazine’s Fall/Winter 2008 issue, written by Elliott and shot by Tristan Ewald.

MaLinda Media also took gold and silver in the publication design/consumer magazine category for the St. John Magazine Spring/Summer 2008 and Fall/Winter 2008 issues, respectively.

The awards are really for the local culture which is highlighted in the publications, explained Nelson who is the sole creator and graphic designer of the magazines.

“I think it’s amazing that the cultural spreads featuring local chefs, musicians and fishermen won the categories,” said Nelson. “The features were local subjects, shot by local photographers. It’s a testament to the beauty of the local culture and I’m very proud to be able to showcase that in my publications.”

With 150 entries in 73 categories, other big winners of the night were Austin Advertising, Cool Signs and the Gumbs Group. MLB Creative won the most awards and Best In Show while Lou Lambert was awarded the Best of TV trophy.

The local winners are automatically entered into the district competition, the winners of which will be then entered in the National Addy Competition.

The next issues of St. John Magazine and St. Thomas Magazine will hit newstands this fall. For more information check out www.malindamediallc.com