Have you heard? Associated Content announced the winners of the 2006 People's Media Awards today. Read them here.

A total of 17 honors were bestowed. One of the top honors went to Content Producer Barry Freiman for his article Getting HIV Isn't a Death Sentence.

Barry publicly accepts the 2006 Editorial Choice Award here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/137770/editors_pick_for_top_content_of_2006.html

Content Producer Jay L. covers a bizarre new trend in A New Rural Craze: Wal-Mart Dating.

He writes: "It's the new watering hole for the 21st century. Who wants to go to the diner for a root-beer float when it's "Always Low Prices" at Wal-Mart?"

Read more:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/127482/a_new_rural_craze_walmart_dating_a.html

CP Matt Nimerosky designs minaiture golf courses for a living (how cool!) and is a self-proclaimed college football fanatic.

He weighs in on this Sunday's big game in Super Bowl XLI: Who Do I Root For?

Read Matt's article and join the discussion here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/134250/super_bowl_xli_who_do_i_root_for.html

Are you an unpublished writer who has dreamed of writing a book, but worry you can't compete in the cutthroat publishing industry? Content Producer Tara Koellhoffer brings good news. As a children's book editor for more than ten years, she has helped many get published.

Tara offers her insider advice in 10 Tips from a Children's Book Editor: Break Into Print With YA Nonfiction.

View it here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/116904/10_tips_from_a_childrens_book_editor.html

Does your town have a football club for five year olds?

While more and more parents are quick to enter their prodigies into organized sports teams, most experts agree that it's better to wait. Trainer and Coach Brian McCormick discusses current sports education research and offers parents valuable information in Developing Your Son or Daughter into an Athletic Superstar.

View it here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/75936/developing_your_son_or_daughter_i

NM-based Tess Fleming has battled both cancer and domestic violence. She shares her painful story in Broken Smile.

Tess writes: "I share my humiliating and sometimes horrific story with you because my story is not uncommon....One out of every two women will experience domestic abuse at least once in the course of their marriage."

Read her account here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/118584/broken_smile_domestic_violence.html?page=2

Through the efforts of AC, Content Producer Cindy Wright landed her second interview with an American Idol contestant.

Last fall, Cindy interviewed Idol winner Taylor Hicks. This time around, she talks with the season 5 runner-up in Katharine McPhee Speaks with Associated Content.

View their conversation here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/126674/american_idol_katherine_mcphee.html

For almost a year, Content Producer Thomas McCabe has used his culinary background to craft popular articles on cooking techniques and in-depth East Coast restaurant reviews.

This content is turning him into a local celebrity.

When Thomas recently walked into a local pizza joint, he was met with warm greetings from the owner and a free meal. The owner had read Thomas' first AC Content - The Best Pizza Restaurant in West Harftord and wanted to thank him for all the buzz it created.

Thomas' review is framed and sits prominently next to the counter at South Whitney Pizza. Read it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/22909/the_best_pizza_restaurant_in_the_west.html

In Gaffes and Obsessions in American Cable News, Content Producer A.J. King questions: Do we have politically motivated gremlins working behind the scenes of our "trusted" news sources?

Read it here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/116209/gaffes_and_obsessions_in_american_cable.html

Content Producer "theBarefoot" shares his secrets to viewership in The 7 Deadly Sins of Writing for the Web. 7 Quick Reasons Why No One Read Your Last Article.

In his usual humorous tone, "theBarefoot" tackles the basics, such as title and abstract, as well as more...personal qualities. Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/121115/the_7_deadly_sins_of_writing_for_the.html

At three, Content Producer George Kouri was diagnosed with Dubowitz Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. George shares his story in What Life is like with a Severe Disability.

He writes: "Still with all of the problems I had I never really felt different and I guess I owe a lot to my family and friends for that."

Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/107894/what_life_is_like_with_a_severe_disability.html

During the World Cup last summer, Content Producer Timothy Sexton published the timely Why Americans Hate Soccer, but Not Golf, Bowling or Nascar. Thanks to AC's wide distribution, many people saw Tim’s article, including conservative talk-show host Al Rantel.

Last night, Rantel invited Timothy to be an on-air guest to discuss David Beckham's US move and it's predicted effect on US soccer.

Way to go, Tim!

Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/124469/associated_content_article_nets_cp.html

CPs:

The balance between POPULAR content and QUALITY content is something we debate every day at AC headquarters. It is a slippery slope, for sure.

No matter the topic, AC Content Producers push themselves to deliver text and videos that bring them page views and massive exposure - that's popularity. In the next, they struggle to produce content that that is of superior quality. Those who can produce submissions that are popular and high quality have really solved the puzzle. These folks really work hard to achieve that balance. Sometimes, it seems as if CPs have only one or the other motive in mind when they submit. For other CPs, we find that an attention to quality comes naturally and goes without saying.

If we look web wide, we find two illustrative extremes. The content categories that attract the most page views are humor and porn. Conversely, it seems that b2b and academic research are of the highest quality.

The producers of both types are likely proud, but the mindsets of the produces are wildly different. Don't you think?

With that mind, I suggest the following exercise: The next time that you attempt to conceive a video or article for your portfolio on AC, please attempt to submit two - produce one that that is solely intended to attract page views and another that holds quality paramount - no matter what topic you have in mind. I think this will help folks understand the balance and will push them to look at their content from another perspective.

-Luke

Last week, Content Producer Daria Fennell netted an exclusive phone interview with one of her heroes.

Daria shares her interview in "American Idol" Judge Randy Jackson Speaks with Associated Content.

Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/120585/american_idol_judge_randy_jackson_speak.html

It was a battle between Colorado and New York, and Denver-based AC couldn't be happier that the Mile High City won the duel.

Content Producer Sam Dewitt broke the news on AC early this morning: Denver to Host 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Sam writes: "According to the Denver convention website, Boston saw an economic benefit of $163.2 Million when it hosted the 2004 convention. It is estimated that Denver would reap $150-200 Million in economic benefits."

Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/122259/denver_to_host_2008_democratic_national.html

CP Victor Sanders started his career in military intelligence in 1996 and draws on this experience in A U.S. Counterintelligence Agent Reports: Why and How We Are Lied to About Iraq.

Victor writes: "Today's Generals hear the positive and will go to great lengths to measure it. Whatever may seem as a failure...is categorized as momentary challenges."

Read more: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/56157/a_us_counterintelligence_agent_reports.html

CP Emily Price is in Vegas covering the Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology. Check out Emily's first report, titled CES: The International Consumer Electronics Show Hosts Celebrity Electronics and People.

She writes, "Previously products unveiled at CES include the VCR, CD Player, Camcorder, Microsoft Xbox, and Plasma TV. Each year makes very big advancements in the world of consumer electronics, and brings journalists and exhibitors from around the world."

Read more here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/118463/ces_the_international_consumer_electronics.html

CP Jeffrey Gorman read Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom and chose to share his personal experience as a work-at-home father in Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Daddy.

View it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/105994/confessions_of_a_stayathome_daddy.html

By now, we all know that Time magazine named "you" as the person of the year. Content Producer Laurie Boris shares her reaction to the news and graciously accepts the Time award in An Open Letter to Time Magazine.

View it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/112847/an_open_letter_to_time_magazine.html

CP Dianna Zaragosa read fellow CP Kathy Reed's Leaving the Mormon Church and decided to publish her own version of the truth.

Dianna has been a member of the LDS chuch for 33 years and explains - and defends - her religion in Leaving (and Returning to) the Mormon Church.

View it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/108231/leaving_and_returning_to_the_mormon.html

New Content Producer Steve Hicks has been a working musician for over twenty years and since 9/11, he's also been a Christian.

He challenges the quality and direction of the secular music industry in Why is Christian Music Inferior?

Do you think the next Jimi Hendrix will emerge from the Christian rock scene? Join the AC discussion.

View it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/112881/why_is_christian_music_inferior.html