The Greater Wilmington Business Journal earned four awards Saturday night during the Alliance of Area Business Publishers' 2022 Editorial Excellence Awards.
The awards ceremony was held at AABP's summer conference in Columbus, Ohio. AABP is an organization of more than 70 publications delivering regional business news to 1.2 million business professionals in the United States, Canada and Australia. Its awards are coordinated and judged by faculty in the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Bringing home the gold award for Best Personality Profile was the story 'Acorn Hunter' by former Business Journal reporter Johanna F. Still. "This profile introduces readers the business of tree nurseries through its main subject, Richard Johnson, a man with a marketing mindset and passion for farming. With supportive numbers and descriptive words, the writer shares a memorable story that will keep people talking and motivated to follow their dreams," the judges stated
The Business Journal won a bronze award in the Best Overall Design – Small Tabloids category. Of contributing designer Suzi Drake's work, the judges said, "Covers are consistent, clean, direct and easy to read with a dominant image that grabs the reader. The cover page cross promotion to the website is a savvy marketing move. The up front table of contents informs the readers of a variety of content, where to look and what to expect. The Economic Indicators package delivers data in a clean, easy-to-read format. The comprehensive health care spread is rendered more readable by being broken up and displayed in segments."
In the Best Use of Photography/Illustrations – Newspapers category, with work by Drake, photographer Michael Cline Spencer and illustrator Mark Weber, the GWBJ won a broze award. Judges stated, "The strength of the graphics and illustrations shows creative problem-solving when translating numbers and issues to readers. Information in 'hempseed oil,' 'Covid' and 'Economic Indicators' is decoded in clear typography and colors. On the other end of the spectrum, a few illustrations interpret through color, style and texture the tone of package, such as 'Wilmington Gothic,' a comedic look at newcomers through the filter of Grant Wood."
For Best Recurring Feature, the Business Journal garnered a silver award for Restaurant Roundup, including the work of writers Christina Haley, Jenny Callison and Lynda Van Kuren. According to the judges, "This is a wonderful spotlight that celebrates the hard work and creative ideas of local restaurateurs. The pieces are varied and consistently well-reported. The stories illuminate Wilmington businesses that are striving to improve the whole community."
