Press Release
JOURNALISTIC DEDICATION COUPLED WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT WINS SUN HERALD A PULITZER PRIZE
DENVER, Colorado, May 3, 2006 - The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun Herald was awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Gold Medal for Meritorious Public Service for its role in serving its community in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The storm collapsed buildings and demolished roads, but the spirit of the Sun Herald's staff rose above Mother Nature's challenges. Despite the personal losses and suffering of its members, journalistic responsibility coupled with creativity and technological advances allowed the newspaper to publish vital current information online. The site provided photos of the devastation and updated information about shelter and basic necessities. The online coverage was an instrumental part of community service to keep local residents abreast of rapidly changing events. It also provided around-the-clock online access to loved ones around the world who were desperate for information about friends and family members.
The technology powering this lifeline was provided by Olive Software. Responding to critical need, Olive's professional services team enabled the necessary software in one day, over a weekend. The enhanced online publishing expanded the Sun Herald's reach to readers the world over. Olive Software allowed the Sun Herald to provide an electronic replica edition of their printed paper 24/7, at a time when every hour brought updated news.
"The electronic replica edition helped us to provide up-to-date information in a look and feel that our readers trust and rely upon", stated Sharon Mandell, vice president of technology for Knight Ridder.
Olive salutes the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the Sun Herald's staff in the face of such disaster. We are proud to partner with Knight Ridder and to be a part of the solution. "This is a great example of how an electronic edition benefits both publishers and their readership," said Kim Dail, vice president of marketing for Olive. "This use displays the wide-ranging flexible business solution that Olive provides."