IBJ wins eight national awards for business coverage

IBJ won eight awards—including gold honors in three categories and a bronze honor for best large newspaper—on Wednesday night during an Alliance of Area Business Publishers virtual ceremony.

The annual AABP Editorial Excellence competition recognizes print and online writing, photography, and design at regional business publications. IBJ competes in the largest publication category against business journals in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Dallas and other major cities.

IBJ received the bronze award in the category of “best newspaper,” finishing behind silver winner Crain’s Chicago Business and gold winner Crain’s Detroit Business.

Judges from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism said IBJ “does a great job of going beyond just the city to provide coverage with statewide impact.”

“A large part of that comes from consistent reporting on state government and its effect on business,” the judges said. “The opinion section is particularly strong and thoughtful, with articles about a variety of subjects that were constructive and solutions-oriented.”

A team of IBJ reporters and editors won a gold award in the local breaking news category for coverage of Elanco’s announcement that it would move its headquarters to the former GM stamping plant site along the White River. John Russell, Mickey Shuey, Samm Quinn, Jeff Newman and Lesley Weidenbener were among those who worked on the stories.

“IBJ staff were tipped to an upcoming announcement, and they delivered with a multistory analysis on the new plant, what would happen to the old facility, and the jobs that would be kept and added,” the judges said. “This package provided citizens the complete story, not just a headline.”

IBJ also won a gold award in the category of best ancillary publication for the 2021 Book of Lists, which was published in December and also included stories and coverage of IBJ’s 40^th anniversary and the 2020 year in review.

“In addition to fabulous lists, this is full of original, local reporting,” the judges said. “The Year in Review, with many articles and documentary photographs, is a good way to catch up on what happened during COVID. Snapshot sidebars add interest and information to the lists.”

And former IBJ Editor Greg Andrews won gold for an editorial headlined “NCAA must embrace new world order,” which he wrote as debate about whether student-athletes should be able to benefit financially from the use of their names and images heated up.

The judges said the editorial served as a “gutsy advocate for NCAA athletes. The argument for this big hometown organization to share the financial bounty with players is timely and persuasive.”

Other awards earned by IBJ:

• Silver, Best Daily Email, Eight@8, Mason King. Judges: “Imagine having a personal assistant to both craft and curate a morning briefing guaranteed to prepare you for the day. That’s this daily email, which lands in readers’ inboxes each morning like a trusted friend.”
• Silver, Best Specialty E-Newsletter, “IBJ’s The Rundown,” former reporter Lindsey Erdody. Judges: “Giving politics some personality isn’t easy, but you wouldn’t know it reading this specialty newsletter. The reporter’s exceptional access and expertise shines through in this thorough weekly dispatch from the Statehouse.”
• Bronze, Best Use of Photography/Illustrations – Newspapers, Brad Turner, Audrey Pelsor, Sarah Ellis and former designer Wendy Shapiro. Judges: “Real photography shows the heart and soul of Indianapolis. Readers see honest moments of people in action, such as a woman and child playing basketball and the downtown in crisis, all displayed for impact.”
• Bronze, Best Podcast, “Beyond COVID,” Lesley Weidenbener. Judges: “The team pairs solid writing and editing skills with a personable host, and enlists guests willing to talk candidly about leadership through crisis. The result is compelling conversation through challenging times.”