The San Fernando Valley Business Journal won the top award for Best Newspaper, as well as for Best Overall Design, at a nationwide journalism contest.
The awards were given June 26 by the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, the professional organization of business journals and other city- and state-based business news magazines and other publications. The annual contest is independently judged by professors at the University of Missouri’s school of journalism. Awards are given, as in the Olympics, in Gold, Silver and Bronze.
In giving the Gold award for Best Newspaper in the small-tabloid category, the judges said: “This publication was the clear winner, punching above its weight on so many levels. Bold front page design, headlines and photos invite readers to explore the stories that cover relevant businesses with breaking news and features. It’s well designed from front to back and includes navigational cues to help guide readers.”
It was the sixth time in the last seven years that the Business Journal was named, essentially, the best small business journal in the country.
In giving this year’s Gold award for best design, the judges said, in part: “Covers are very newsy, with a high story and promo count, which serves busy readers very well. The design is lively throughout with attention to features. While there is no shortage of reporting content, large images with main and feature stories are extremely useful in attracting and informing readers… The bold use of large visuals throughout the book sets this book apart.”
It was the seventh time in the last nine years that the Business Journal won the top award for design.
The newspaper also won a Bronze award for Best Feature Layout. The award was for a special report about construction projects. The judges said, in part: “The opening image of construction equipment provides a wow factor and evokes the idea of childhood toys. Clean, simple, consistent layouts across the pages allow the imagery to dominate.”
Nina Bays, the Business Journal’s creative and production director, said, “I am exceedingly proud of both our design and editorial teams for these accolades from AABP. Having so many Gold wins for the Business Journal in the Best Overall Design category speaks to not only to the strength of our designers but also the ability the two departments have to weave the visual with the voice and create an impactful reader experience.”
Charles Crumpley, the editor-in-chief, agreed that it is particularly rewarding for the two departments to win the top awards for so many years. “It means the editorial and design departments are performing at the highest level. And doing so consistently,” he said.
Newspapers compete against each other in large, medium and small tabloid categories. The Valley business journal is in the small category. It’s sister publication, the Los Angeles Business Journal, competes in the large category.
The Los Angeles newspaper won the Gold award for Best Newspaper and the Gold award for Best Overall Design. Crumpley and Bays also are the editor and creative director for the Los Angeles title.