The San Fernando Valley Business Journal won several journalism awards for its coverage last year, including first place in the nation for design among small-circulation regional business publications. The first set of awards, presented by the Association of Area Business Publications at its annual June 27 meeting in Charlotte, N.C., included a second-place finish in the best overall business publication category. The contest was judged by the University of Missouri’s Missouri School of Journalism, a top rated program. The judges said the paper “takes a smart approach to topics such as biotech, property development, aerospace, manufacturing, health care and transportation. … The features can often have a lighter touch, as well, with a tone that matches the personalities and interests in Southern California.” The design award went to Editor Laurence Darmiento and Production Director Sally Jones for “a good ratio of visuals to text,” according to the judges. The paper also won gold for the news story “Alfred Mann Selling Off Valley-Area Business Parks,” by former reporter Elliot Golan. At the Los Angeles Press Club awards dinner on June 28, the publication won second place for the real estate package “Real Life Storage Wars” by Golan and Managing Editor Joel Russell, and third place for the entertainment package about Burbank titled “Life After Leno” by Golan and Staff Reporter Mark Madler. The Business Journal’s sister publication, the Los Angeles Business Journal, won nine awards in Charlotte, including two silvers for its annual “Wealthiest Angelenos” section. It also took home 13 awards from the L.A. Press Club. The Association of Area Business Publications is an international trade organization of business journals and similar publications based in El Segundo. The Los Angeles Press Club is a non-profit organization for journalists who work at newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet. – Joel Russell
