Virginia Business won three awards for its commentary, reporting and design in an annual competition that recognizes excellence among regional business publications. The 2010 Editorial Excellence Awards sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Alliance of Area Business Publications (AABP) drew 555 entries from 47 publications throughout the country.
Judges from the University of Missouri School of Journalism presented a total of 107 awards. Virginia Business picked up a second-place, silver award in commentary and two third-place, bronze awards for best body of work by a single writer and best use of photography/illustrations.
The commentary, “Don’t Let Awards Cloud the Issue: Virginia Still Needs to Fix Transportation,” was written by Managing Editor Paula Squires. It questioned how Virginia can remain a top-ranked business destination when state political leaders have failed to develop a plan or financing to replace an aging transportation system. “A column of enormous importance to the state, “the judges wrote, “delivered with a ringing indictment of the status quo. Extremely well reported … this is a column that cries out for action.”
Also winning high praise was a collection of four stories written by Heather Hayes of Clifford, a regular contributor to Virginia Business and third-place winner in the best body of work category. “Hayes shows her range with a textbook technique — solid reporting on topics that range from assessing the impact of stimulus money to the demand for cyber security specialists to stem tech headaches for local business.”
Virginia Business also was singled out for its use of illustrations, overseen by Adrienne Reaves-Taylor, the magazine’s designer/production coordinator. The winning entry included a cover illustration by Richmond artist Matt Brown of last fall’s gubernatorial contest between Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds.
GO MOM!!!! I’m the daughter of an award-winning journalist!! That’s where I get my lyric-writing moxie from :)
--Kathryn of Midlothian VA
Jun. 28, 2010 at 08:43 PM
Congratulations to Virginia Business! The recognition is well deserved!
--Jennifer Yeager of Richmond, VA
Jun. 29, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Congratulations to the staff of Virginia Business Magazine. I’m certain these are the first of many awards to come.
--Niki Sabbath of Fairfax, VA
Jun. 29, 2010 at 02:48 PM