News Summary
The Business Journal achieved remarkable success at the California Journalism Awards 2024, claiming a total of 10 first-place awards and numerous additional accolades. Noteworthy achievements include top honors for the ‘Best Newsletter’ and ‘Technology Reporting’ categories, showcasing the publication’s excellence in journalism, design, and community engagement. The recognition underscores The Business Journal’s commitment to high-quality reporting and its significant impact on the Central Valley’s media landscape.
California Journalism Awards 2024: The Business Journal’s Historic Recognition
California has recently seen notable achievements in journalism as The Business Journal garnered its largest collection of California Journalism Awards in 2024, securing a total of 10 first-place awards during a ceremony held over the weekend by the California News Publishers Association. In addition to the first-place accolades, the publication also received seven second-place awards and several other recognitions.
Academic and Professional Excellence
The Business Journal competed against other weekly newspapers with a circulation ranging from 4,301 to 11,000, solidifying its standing within the industry. Among its most commendable achievements, The Business Journal excelled in the “Best Newsletter” category, with its “Executive Dining Guide” winning first place. Additionally, the publication’s “Real Estate Weekly” claimed third place, while the “Daily Update” earned fourth place honors.
In the “Agricultural Reporting” category, The Business Journal achieved significant success, earning first place for its comprehensive coverage concerning Central Valley Meat’s acquisition and the layoffs at the Cargill beef plant in Fresno. Further, the publication earned third place for its reporting on avian flu and fourth place for its coverage of farmland selloffs.
Recognition in Technology and Reporting
The Business Journal also made waves in the field of technology reporting. The publication’s in-depth story package on artificial intelligence won first place in “Technology Reporting”. It was complemented by a second-place award for a piece featuring the Black-owned tech firm Quiq Labs.
The online platform, thebusinessjournal.com, received first place for its homepage layout and design, showcasing the publication’s commitment to quality and user engagement. Graphic designer Cecilia Lopez was awarded first place for her exceptional illustrations related to the Farmer’s Almanac and INC 5000, reflecting the creativity within the design team.
Outstanding Contributions in Business and Economy
Frank Lopez, a reporter for The Business Journal, earned first place in “Coverage of Business and the Economy” for his enlightening story about employment opportunities for individuals on the spectrum. Additionally, he received third place for another piece focusing on the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. Furthermore, the publication’s coverage of a global IT outage earned fifth place in the same category.
Lopez shone in the “Labor Reporting” category as well, where his research on union membership during ‘Labor Summer’ garnered first place recognition. His insightful coverage of collaboration between a Fresno engineering firm and Fresno State led to a first-place win in “Coverage of Youth and Education.” Former Business Journal reporter Estela Anahi Jaramillo also received third place for her compelling story about college partnerships.
Special Sections and Other Achievements
The Business Journal’s “Made in the Central Valley 2024” manufacturing supplement took home first place in the “Print Special Section” category and also won for its print special section cover. In terms of travel reporting, writer Ben Hensley captured second place for an article discussing tourism spending, as well as another second-place award in “Fine Arts Writing/Reporting” for his story highlighting local music teachers.
Recognition continued with accolades in housing and land-use reporting, food writing, and community engagement. The series covering the Scannell warehouse project in Fresno received second place in “Housing and Land-Use Reporting,” while a food piece on Yolked Kitchen garnered third place. The annual program, “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes,” received second place in the newly introduced “Audience/Community Engagement Award.”
Sports and Miscellaneous Awards
In the realm of sports, reporter Dylan Gonzales was awarded second place for his nostalgic story about a local developer’s baseball game experience, while Jaramillo’s piece on a Fresno State athlete’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights earned fourth place. Lopez’s engaging coverage titled “From Clovis to Paris, via Egypt: Local manufacturer to make Olympic debut” won third place for breaking news.
Lastly, The Business Journal secured third place for the new “Social Media Innovation Award,” showcasing its engaging and effective approach to connecting with audiences online. Local news teams, including Fresnoland, Valley Voice, and GV Wire, were also recognized in various categories during the awards ceremony, reflecting the thriving journalistic landscape in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Business Journal: 2024 Journalism Awards
- North Bay Business Journal: California Journalism Awards 2024
- Patch: Redwood City CEO Wins Women in Influence Award
- Google Search: California Journalism Awards 2024
- Wikipedia: Journalism in California
