Ali Ghanbari of WJW-TV in Cleveland has added to his lengthy list of awards adding his ninth ONPA Photographer of the Year title to his resume. Billy Muhammed, also from WJW was the runner-up in this year’s contest. Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV in Columbus was third with Kris Sproles from WDTN-TV in Dayton, just one point back in fourth place. Ghanbari placed in each of the contest’s six categories. Complete results are on the ONPA website along with links to the winning entries.
Ghanbari also won the NPPA Central General Regional Photographer of the Year award for his work in 2012. WJW also was recognized as Central General Station of the Year in the NPPA contest as well as winning the title in the ONPA contest.
The NPPA quarterly video contest is broken into three regions rather than the 11 regions used in the monthly still clip contest. Within the three regions there is a Top Stations division and a General Stations division.
By virtue of their performance in 2012 WJW will move from the General Stations division to the Top Stations division in 2013. WTVF-TV in Nashville was recognized as the best in 2012 in the Top Stations division and photographer Ted Nelson from WTVF was recognized as POY in the division.