Virginia Business wins national awards for writing, design

Virginia Business won two national journalism awards Saturday during The Alliance of Area Business Publishers’ (AABP) 2022 Editorial Excellence Awards ceremony, held in Columbus, Ohio.

Former Virginia Business Deputy Editor Rich Griset placed silver in the Best Body of Work, Single Writer category for feature articles including his May 2021 cover story profile of MicroStrategy Inc. CEO and bitcoin whale Michael Saylor, who declined to be interviewed for Griset’s story, and his December 2021 profile of Bruce Thompson, the Virginia Business Person of the Year.

“Adding a creative spark to the dogged reporting seems to be Rich Griset’s hallmark,” the judges said in their remarks for Griset’s silver award. “His profile of a rising crypto chief also shows an ability to ferret out stories and other details after the executive refused to cooperate. A profile of an influential hotel developer showed a deft touch for getting the most of a cooperative subject. His writing ability was on full display in a piece on the renovation of aging shopping malls, including one that was used to shoot a pivotal scene in ‘Wonder Woman 1984.’”

Virginia Business also received a bronze award for Best Overall Design — Magazine for issues produced during 2021. The judges singled out Virginia Business Art Director Joel Smith’s use of “humorous illustrations, consistent portraits and real people [to] provide a wonderful representation of real business in Virginia. The photography and artwork are consistent and relevant to the content. The department pages are simple and professional, the features provide a pop of visual fun, and the overall page designs exemplify a great sense of hierarchy.”

The awards were judged by faculty members from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The awards ceremony was held as part of AABP’s three-day annual conference.

Founded in 1979, AABP is a Norwalk, Connecticut-based nonprofit organization representing about 65 regional and local business publications in the United States, Canada and Australia, with a combined circulation of more than 1.8 million business professionals.