Frontiersman ad exec honored with award

WASILLA — Petra Albecker, a 15-year Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman veteran, has been honored by the newspaper’s parent company Wick Communications with a Wick Soaring Eagle award for outstanding sales achievement. In addition to her consistent sales prowess, she has been a leader in her department, as well as in the building. She assumes responsibility beyond expectations and is gracious in helping to establish fluid transitions in staffing and workflow.

In conjunction with a renewed emphasis on enhancing advertising sales efforts and success, Wick Communications recognized 22 advertising sales professionals for their 2013 performances with the inaugural Soaring Eagle Advertising Awards. The recipients were chosen by their respective newspaper companies for their notable sales successes, excellent customer service, dedication to their organizations and for being positive role models and team players.

Albecker stands out for her dedication to the newspaper, her co-workers and clients. She achieves her personal monthly sales goals on a consistent basis, with her sales routinely contributing to half of the publication’s monthly volume. She also led the way earlier in 2013 when we committed to an enhanced focus on digital sales, which doubled during the spring and summer, due in part to her individual effort.

“In this time of high turnover among sales staffs, Albecker stands out for her dedication to the newspaper, her co-workers and clients,” Frontiersman Publisher Mark Kelsey says in his nomination of Albecker for the award. “It would be easy for someone at her level of achievement to be self-contained and focus only on her client list. Instead, she is a humble mentor to newer, less-seasoned ad reps, and is quick to offer advice and suggestions that make the advertising department and the newspaper as a whole better. Indeed, the sales team is a cohesive, tight-knit group largely due to her quiet leadership.

“I appreciate the personal integrity, work ethic and value that Petra brings to the Frontiersman. I am pleased to recognize and honor her high level of achievement with the Soaring Eagle award.”