SABEW staff report
QUICK FACTS
DEADLINES: Submit entries from 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Dec. 1, 2011, through 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 24, 2012. Online entries only.
HOW MUCH: $55 individual/$125 General Excellence until 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 6; $60/$135 afterward until 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 24.
NEED HELP? Get answers during entrant conference calls in December and January. Information on the call dates will be found on sabew.org, where also you can sign up for the calls or use the links found in e-mails sent to members and institutions’ contact persons. Or, send e-mail to bib@sabew.org and a member of the SABEW staff will be in contact shortly to assist you.
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR
• Early-bird entry period starts at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1, 2011: For the first time, entrants may choose to file entries before the actual contest year ends. A $5-per-entry discount ($10-per-entry in general-excellence categories) will be given to those who enter during the early-bird period, which lasts until 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 6, 2012.
• Final entry deadline is 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 24, 2012. This is a firm deadline with no extensions. Please honor this deadline.
• No changes to categories from the 2010 contest year: All the same categories from 2010 apply to the 2011 contest year. These include divisions added last year for the first time: international publications and correspondents, radio/broadcast TV, digital media, real estate and personal finance.
• SABEW will schedule two telephone conference calls, one in December and another in January, for potential entrants to hear about rules and entry procedures and ask questions of SABEW staff and contest coordinators. Watch sabew.org and member e-mail messages for dates/times and dial-in procedures.
If fewer than three entries are received for any category, it will not be judged. See the REFUNDS section below for further details.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE DIVISIONS:
Divisions are designated for entries from different types of media outlets or journalists.
Digital: Eligible entrants’ primary business activity is disseminating news and information through a digital platform (online, mobile, etc.
International: This category is open to media organizations based outside the United States, as well as work by U.S.-based organizations that is datelined outside the U.S.
News Agencies: Media responsible for distributing news to news organizations and other business entities.
Print: Dailies with subdivisions based on Sunday circulation. Magazines published at various intervals. Business weeklies/biweeklies.
Radio/TV: Broadcasters who report over-the-air as well as via cable.
Personal Finance: Personal finance reporting and/or commentary from any source.
Real Estate: Commercial or residential real estate reporting and/or commentary from any source.
Student: Stories on any business journalism topic reported by students at colleges and universities.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE CATEGORIES:
Within each division are all or several of the following categories.
General Excellence: A news organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time.
Breaking News: Coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or news organization’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Investigative: In-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general public and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Explanatory: In-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader to understand it more clearly.
Feature: A single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Opinion/Column: Reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or news organization. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Blog: A website or a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms: An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other print categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. Judges will be asked to interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will be asked to consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but to place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
GENERAL RULES
OVERALL ELIGIBILITY: Only regular members of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in good standing as of the date of entry submittal (see definition of good standing in next paragraph) are eligible to enter the Best in Business Contest. Regular membership is defined by SABEW’s constitution and bylaws, particularly Article III. (View athttp://sabew.org/about/constitution-and-bylaws/.)
Good standing means SABEW received your membership dues and your membership is current as of the date of submittal of your entries. Check on your membership status at your member profiles:https://membership.sabew.org/membership/profile. Questions on membership status should be directed to Mark Scarp, SABEW membership coordinator, at scarp@sabew.org.
ASSIGNMENT OF “PUBLICATION” TO ENTRANT: For purposes of this contest, a
“publication” is any form of mass reproduction, from print to broadcast to online. A television station is a “publication” and so is a website. Based on a SABEW member’s profile, that member is assigned to a “publication” where that member’s work has been published, broadcast or posted. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in size groups by Sunday circulation. Entrants with questions about their assigned “publication” or size group may contact SABEW staff at bib@sabew.org for possible reassignment.
ELIGIBILITY FOR JOURNALISTS WHO ARE PART OF AN INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP: Journalists listed under an institutional membership may enter the contest. Institutions must have names covered by the institutional membership before filing entries in the contest.
ELIGIBILITY FOR FREELANCERS: SABEW members who are freelancers are not pre-assigned “publications,” categories or size groups, and therefore are unable to self-enter the contest. Such SABEW-member freelancers should contact SABEW at bib@sabew.org to request that the SABEW staff manually assign their work to a “publication” or “publications.”
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DIVISION (Division II): Work entered in this division and its categories (see list in next paragraph) is defined as that written or produced by a non-U.S.-based correspondent (including those who work for U.S. news organizations), as well as work by a U.S.-based news organization that is datelined outside the U.S.
This division is platform-agnostic. Entries from print, radio/TV, news agency and digital sources will be judged against each other in the Breaking News, Investigative, Explanatory, Feature and Opinion/Column categories.
Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content more than the method of delivery.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE STUDENT DIVISION: This open category will honor the best work of student business journalists. An entry will consist of any story or package of stories written or produced by a college or university student who also is a member of SABEW. Work done for school news organizations will be judged separately from work done for professional news organizations.
DEADLINES: Contest entries for all divisions and categories will be accepted online only, using the BIB Contest entry forms at sabew.org. Entry period begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, Dec. 1, 2011, and ends at 8 p.m. Eastern time, Jan. 24, 2012. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Unlike previous years, this deadline is firm. No extensions will be announced or granted.
AWARDS: Judges will decide to grant up to three awards per category, with each award winner to be shipped an award plaque. Winners will be honored with certificates at the 49th annual SABEW spring conference March 17, 2012, at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis.
FORM OF ENTRIES: Contest entries will be accepted only in PDF form and/or through permalinks from URLs. No hard copies will be accepted. Instructions on how to submit either in PDF form or through permalinks to URLs are included in specific rules for each category.
Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Submit Radio/TV and digital entries as permalink URLs. News agency entries may be submitted in PDF or permalink URL. Include all facets of single-day coverage in entry. Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
COVER LETTERS (OPTIONAL): If you wish to submit a one-page cover letter (double-spaced), please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-genex-coverletter.PDF) Upload the letter as the first page of the first PDF.
See individual category descriptions for further instructions.
MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS: The same entry may be entered in more than one category. Each entry must be made separately and a separate entry fee appropriate for the date of the submission will be charged. You may also enter more than one entry in the same category, but each entry in the same category must include different work.
ENTRIES WITH EXAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT PUBLICATION DATES: Some categories require the submission of multiple examples from different publication/broadcast/posting dates throughout 2011. They are:
Digital (General Excellence): An entry will consist of a digital new organization’s URL, which judges will use to view the site and all of its components at their discretion. In addition, entrants may send five screen shots and/or permalink URLs of work from 2011 that illustrates a digital new organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time. Eligible entrants: Primary business activity is disseminating news and information through a digital platform (online, mobile, etc.).
Daily Newspapers (General Excellence and Blogs): Total of five dates. Two of these dates may be chosen at the entrant’s election; the other three are mandatory: Feb. 7, June 8 and Sept. 10. If the entrant’s publication did not publish on one or more of the previous dates, an example from a publication date that is the closest date AFTER the mandatory date.
Weekly or biweekly publications (General Excellence and Blogs): Total of five dates. Two of these dates may be chosen at the entrant’s election; the other three are mandatory: Feb. 7, June 8 and Sept. 10. If the entrant’s publication did not publish on one or more of the previous dates, an example should come from a publication date that is the closest date AFTER the mandatory date.
Magazines (General Excellence and Blogs): Total of three dates. One of these dates may be chosen at the entrant’s election; the other two are mandatory: June 8 and Sept. 10 for weekly magazines (for monthlies, the June and September issues). If the entrant’s publication did not publish on one or more of the previous dates, an example should come from a publication date that is the closest date AFTER the mandatory date.
Radio/TV, (General Excellence and Blogs): An entry will consist of five pieces of work that exemplify a news organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time. Two of these dates may be chosen at the entrant’s election; the other three are mandatory: between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on each of Feb. 7, June 8 and Sept. 10. Entries must be uploaded and submitted as five permalink URLs.
Personal Finance: This division is format- and platform-agnostic. Any personal finance reporting and/or commentary from any source may be entered. All entries will be judged against each other. Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content over the method of delivery. An entry will consist of up to five pieces of work chosen by entrant which have common bylines.
Real Estate: This open category will honor the best work of commercial and residential real estate reports and columnists from across the country. This division of format- and platform-agnostic. Any real estate reporting and/or commentary from any source may be entered. All entries will be judged against each other. Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content over the method of delivery. An entry will consist of up to five pieces of work chosen by entrant which have common bylines.
ENTRY FEES, EARLY BIRD: During an early bird period from 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, Dec. 1, 2011, to 8 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 6, 2012, entries in the General Excellence category will cost $125. Early bird entries in all other categories will cost $55.
ENTRY FEES, REGULAR: Regular entries filed between 8:01 p.m. Eastern time Jan. 6, 2012 and 8 p.m. Jan. 24, 2012, will be charged $135 for General Excellence; $60 per entry for all other categories.
PAYMENT: Unless prior arrangements are made with SABEW, payment must be made by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express through the secure BiB Contest entry program. Payment must be received for an entry to be judged. Each entrant will receive an e-mailed receipt for each payment we receive.
REFUNDS: If fewer than three entries are received for any category, it will not be judged. Entrants will be offered two options: (1) entries will be added to the pool of entries of the next-highest circulation or unique-web-page-visits category, if there is one, or (2) entrant will receive a credit to enter one entry in next year’s contest.
JUDGING: Each category will be judged by a panel of business journalists who will choose up to three winners. In the event no entry rises to the high standard of quality SABEW requires, no award will be made. Winning entries will be announced on sabew.org and via blast e-mail to SABEW members.
HOW JUDGES WERE SELECTED: Our judges, prominent business journalists or journalism educators, were selected by the Best in Business Contest Committee. They were recruited for their knowledge of subject matter, diversity and ability to impartially consider contest entries. Each category is judged by a group of judges chaired by a head judge. The decisions of the judges are final.
NOTIFICATION AND RECOGNITION OF WINNERS: Winners will be notified during the second or third week of February by e-mail or telephone, and a complete list of winners will be posted with an awards story at sabew.org at that time. Awards certificates will be presented March 17, 2012, at ceremonies at the 49th annual SABEW spring conference in Indianapolis, Ind. Award plaques will be mailed to winners by May.
RULES FOR EACH DIVISION AND CATEGORY
I. Division: Digital
Digital
Eligible entrants’ primary business activity is disseminating news and information through a digital platform (online, mobile, etc.)
Digital news organization groupings
Group Digital 1: Fewer than 500,000 unique users per month
Group Digital 2: 500,001 to 2.5 million unique users per month
Group Digital 3: 2,500,001 and more unique users per month
Digital categories
1. General Excellence
An entry will consist of a digital news organization’s URL, which judges will use to view the site and all of its components at their discretion. In addition, entrants may send five screen shots and/or permalink URLs of work from 2011 that illustrates a digital new organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time.
Eligible entrants: Primary business activity is disseminating news and information through a digital platform (online, mobile, etc.)
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-genex-coverletter.PDF)
2. Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or news organization’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or package of stories produced on the same day. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of single-day coverage should be included in entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
Judges will be asked to pay particular attention to the creative opportunities digital media provide to breaking news reporting and presentation of breaking news reports.
3. Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership/viewership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of investigative story and/or package should be included in entry.
Judges will be asked to pay particular attention to the creative opportunities that digital media provide to investigative reporting and presentation of investigative reports.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
4. Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader/listener/viewer to understand it more clearly.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, interactive components, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Judges will pay particular attention to the creative opportunities digital media provide to feature storytelling.
5. Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, interactive components, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Judges will pay particular attention to the creative opportunities digital media provide to feature storytelling.
6. Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or news organization. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Five examples constitute one entry. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
7. Blog
For this category, blog is defined as a website or a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
8. Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other digital division categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a story written for print, its accompanying online coverage and a video and/or audio component.
Judges will interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
II. Division: International
This category is open to media organizations based outside the United States, as well as work by U.S.-based organizations that is datelined outside the U.S.
Defined as work written or produced by a non-U.S.-based correspondent (including those who work for U.S. news organizations).
This division is platform-agnostic. Entries from print, radio/TV, news agency and digital sources will be judged against each other in the Breaking News, Investigative, Explanatory, Feature and Opinion/Column categories.
Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content more than the method of delivery.
International categories
1. Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or news organization’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day.
Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Submit Radio/TV and digital entries as permalink URLs. News agency entries may be submitted in PDF or permalink URL. Include all facets of single-day coverage in entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
2. Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership/listenership/viewership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day. Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Radio/TV and digital entries must be submitted as permalink URLs. News agency entries may be submitted in PDF or permalink URL. All facets of investigative coverage should be included in entry.\
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
3. Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader/listener/viewer to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day. Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Radio/TV and digital entries must be submitted as permalink URLs. News agency entries may be submitted in whichever format is most appropriate. All facets of explanatory coverage should be included in entry.
4. Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, interactive components, photos and/or sidebars. Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Radio/TV and digital entries must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of feature story should be included in entry.
5. Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or news organization. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Five examples constitute one entry. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2010-11 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
6. Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other international division categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a story written for print, its accompanying online coverage and a video and/or audio component.
Judges will interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
7. Blog
For this category, blog is as a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
III. Division: News Agencies
Eligible entrants: Primary business activity is distributing news to news organizations and other business entities.
News Agencies categories
1. General Excellence
An entry will consist of five pieces of work that exemplify a news agency’s quality, strength and consistency over time. Three will be from a date and time chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by the submitter.
Mandatory dates/”dayparts” for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
June 8, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Entries must be uploaded and submitted as five permalink URLs.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-genex-coverletter.PDF)
2. Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or an agency’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of single-day coverage should be included in entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
3. Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day. Print entries must be submitted as PDFs. Radio/TV and digital entries must be submitted as permalink URLs. News agency entries may be submitted in PDF or permalink URL. All facets of investigative coverage should be included in entry.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
4. Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader/listener/viewer to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of explanatory story and/or package should be included in entry.
5. Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, interactive components, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted as permalink URLs.
6. Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or news organization. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Five examples constitute one entry. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
In the event the entrant did not publish on a SABEW mandatory date, he or she should enter the NEXT piece published that fits the category.
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
7. Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other news agencies division categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a story written for print, its accompanying online coverage and a video and/or audio component.
Judges will interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
8. Blog
For this category, blog is as a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
IV. Division: Print
Eligible entrants: Primary business activity is publication in print.
IV.(a) Print — Daily newspapers
Size groupings
Size group determined by Sunday circulation.
Group Dailies 1: Daily newspapers with circulation up to 25,000
Group Dailies 2: Daily newspapers with circulation 25,001 to 100,000
Group Dailies 3: Daily newspapers with circulation 100,001 to 200,000
Group Dailies 4: Daily newspapers with circulation 200,001 to 500,000
Group Dailies 5: Daily newspapers with circulation 500,001 and above
1(a). General Excellence – Daily Newspapers (divided by five size groupings)
Entry will consist of five business sections (may include any other business-related coverage from that date) that exemplify a news organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
Entry must be submitted as five PDFs – one for each issue date. PDF file names should be styled with the paper name (can use acronym or nickname, if it’s intuitive) and the issue date. For example, a General Excellence PDF from the Dallas Morning News of Feb. 7, 2011, should be named:
dallasmorningnews02-07-2011.pdf
OR
dmn02-21-2011.pdf
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the first PDF.
2.(a) Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or publication’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories that run on the same day. Must be submitted in PDF format. All printed facets of single-day coverage should be included in PDF entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
3.(a) Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format.
All printed facets of investigative story and/or package should be included in PDF.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the PDF.
To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative.PDF
4.(a) Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format.
Entry should include PDF of all printed facets of explanatory story and/or package.
5.(a) Feature
A single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted in PDF format.
6.(a) Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or printed publication. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Five examples constitute one entry. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted in PDF format. In the event that the entrant did not publish on a SABEW date, he or she should enter the next issue published that fits the category.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
7.(a) Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other print categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a print package, its accompanying online coverage and a video component. Or, an entry may include an online package, bolstered by examples of ongoing coverage in the printed publication.
Judges will be asked to interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will be asked to consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but to place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
8(a). Blog
For this category, blog is as a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
IV.(b) Print — Magazines
Size groupings
Group Magazines 1: Magazines with circulation up to 75,000
Group Magazines 2: Magazines with circulation 75,001 to 500,000
Group Magazines 3: Magazines with circulation 500,001 and above
1(b). General Excellence – Magazines (divided by three size groupings)
Entry will consist of three issues. Two dates/months will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose one. In the event that the entrant did not publish on a SABEW date, he or she should enter the next issue published that fits the category.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
June 8 (June issue for monthlies)
Sept. 10 (September issue for monthlies)
Entry must be submitted as three PDFs – one for each issue date. PDF file names should be styled with the magazine name and the issue date. For example, a General Excellence PDF from Money Magazine of June 2011, should be named:
moneymagazine06-2011.PDF
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the first PDF.
2.(b) Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or publication’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories that run on the same day. Must be submitted in PDF format. All printed facets of single-day coverage should be included in PDF entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
3.(b) Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
All printed facets of investigative story and/or package should be included in PDF.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
4.(b) Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format.
Entry should include PDF of all printed facets of explanatory story and/or package.
5.(b) Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted in PDF format.
6.(b) Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or printed publication. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Three examples constitute one entry. Two dates will be chosen by SABEW. One will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted in PDF format. In the event that the entrant did not publish on a SABEW date, he or she should enter the next issue published that fits the category.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
June 8 (May issue for monthlies)
Sept. 10 (September issue for monthlies)
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
7.(b) Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other print categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a print package, its accompanying online coverage and a video component. Or, an entry may include an online package, bolstered by examples of ongoing coverage in the printed publication.
Judges will be asked to interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will be asked to consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but to place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
8.(b). Blog
For this category, blog is as a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
IV.(c) Business weeklies/biweeklies
Weekly category includes all business weeklies and biweeklies. If demand warrants, weekly and biweekly categories will be separated.
1(c). General Excellence – Business weeklies/biweeklies
Entry will consist of five issues. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. In the event that the entrant did not publish on a SABEW date, he or she should enter the NEXT issue published that fits the category.
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
Entry must be submitted as five PDFs – one for each issue date. PDF file names should be styled with the publication name (can use acronym or nickname, if it’s intuitive) and the issue date. For example, a General Excellence PDF from the Puget Sound Business Journal of Sept. 10, 2011, should be named:
pugetsoundbusinessjournal09-10-2011.PDF
OR
pugetsoundbizjournal09-10-2011.PDF
OR
psbj09-10-2011.PDF
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the first PDF.
2.(c) Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks, or proactive news broken by a reporter or publication’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories that run on the same day. Must be submitted in PDF format. All printed facets of single-day coverage should be included in PDF entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
3.(c) Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general readership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
All printed facets of investigative story and/or package should be included in PDF.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please include it as the first page of the PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
4.(c) Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the reader to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted in PDF format.
Entry should include PDF of all printed facets of explanatory story and/or package.
5.(c) Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story and should include all relevant infographics, photos and/or sidebars. Must be submitted in PDF format.
6.(c) Opinion/Column
Defined as reported coverage that, as a matter of course, reflects the point of view of a writer, writers and/or printed publication. Category includes unsigned editorials and individual commentary.
Three examples constitute one entry. Two dates will be chosen by SABEW. One will be chosen by submitter. Entries must be submitted in PDF format. In the event that the entrant did not publish on a SABEW date, he or she should enter the next issue published that fits the category.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
June 8 (May issue for monthlies)
Sept. 10 (September issue for monthlies)
For signed commentary, names of all writers must be included. For unsigned editorials, names of editorial board members must be included in the list of contributors.
7.(c) Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other print categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include a print package, its accompanying online coverage and a video component. Or, an entry may include an online package, bolstered by examples of ongoing coverage in the printed publication.
Judges will be asked to interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will be asked to consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but to place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalink URLs.
8.(c). Blog
For this category, blog is defined as a website or a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
V. Division: Radio/TV
Eligible entrants: Primary business activity is distributing news by broadcast, cable and radio
Radio/TV categories
1. General Excellence
An entry will consist of five pieces of work that exemplify a news organization’s quality, strength and consistency over time. Three will be from a date and “daypart” chosen by SABEW. Two will be chosen by the submitter.
Mandatory dates/”dayparts”:
Feb. 7, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
June 8, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Entries must be uploaded and submitted as five permalink URLs.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-genex-coverletter.PDF)
2. Breaking News
Defined as coverage of a single news event on the day it breaks. Can be reactive reporting of news that breaks or proactive news broken by a reporter or news outlet’s reporting staff. Judges will be asked to give greater weight to the latter.
Can be a single story or a package of stories produced on the same day. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of single-day coverage should be included in entry.
Ongoing coverage of an event that continues after the initial reporting period does not meet SABEW’s definition of “Breaking News” and should be entered in “Investigative,” “Explanatory” or “Feature” category, whichever is appropriate.
3. Investigative
Defined as in-depth, enterprise reporting that: a) presents important and necessary information that was unknown to the general viewership/listenership and was unavailable from other sources before publication; b) demonstrates an obvious need for change in law/policy/behavior.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Entry should include all facets of investigative story and/or package. Must be uploaded and submitted as permalink URLs.
A one-page cover letter (double-spaced) may be submitted with this entry. Please attach it to your entry as a PDF. (To help the judges keep track of things, please style the PDF title like this: yournewsorgname-investigative-coverletter.PDF)
4. Explanatory
Defined as in-depth reporting that presents, defines, unpacks, and simplifies a single important topic and/or news event in a way that allows the listener or viewer to understand it more clearly.
Can be a single story or a series of stories. Must be submitted as permalink URLs. All facets of explanatory story and/or package should be included in entry.
5. Feature
Defined as a single story that covers a selected topic in-depth but does not: a) require a time element to be relevant; b) confine itself to a news style of writing and/or presentation; and/or c) shy away from reflecting a point of view.
Entry must be a single story. Must be uploaded and submitted as a permalink URL.
6. Creative Use Across Multiple Platforms
An entry can be any story or package of stories, including those entered in other radio/TV categories, where use of more than one platform is employed as part of the same coverage. For example, an entry may include an audio and/or video package, its accompanying online coverage and a print package.
Judges will be asked to interpret eligibility for this category broadly and creatively. They will be asked to consider the heft and significance of the content, certainly, but to place greater emphasis on the creativity of presentation and interactivity across several platforms.
Entry should include all facets of story and/or package, including all PDFs and permalinks.
7. Blog
For this category, blog is as a clearly labeled part of a website that is maintained by an individual or group of individuals, and contains regularly added entries that may be news-based or otherwise factual; opinion or commentary; descriptions of events; and/or other material such as graphics or video.
An entry will consist of complete blog activity from five dates. Three dates will be chosen by SABEW. Submitter will choose two. If there is no activity on a date chosen by SABEW, entrant should choose the next date where there is activity, noting the change on the entry form. Entries must be submitted as permalink URLs.
Mandatory dates for 2011-12 contest:
Feb. 7
June 8
Sept. 10
For blogs maintained by a group of individuals, names of all writers must be included.
VI. Division: Personal Finance
This division is format- and platform-agnostic. Any personal finance reporting and/or commentary from any source may be entered.
All entries will be judged against each other.
Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content over the method of delivery.
An entry will consist of up to five pieces of work chosen by entrant which have common bylines.
VII. Division: Real Estate
This open category will honor the best work of commercial and residential real estate reporters and columnists from across the country.
This division is format- and platform-agnostic. Any commercial and residential real estate reporting and/or commentary from any source may be entered. All entries will be judged against each other.
Judges will be asked to weigh the heft and significance of the content over the method of delivery.
An entry will consist of up to five pieces of work chosen by entrant which have common bylines.
VIII. Division: Student
This open category will honor the best work of student business journalists.
An entry will consist of any story or package of stories written or produced by a college or university student who also is a member of SABEW. Work done for school news organizations will be judged separately from work done for professional news organizations.
Questions? Send an e-mail message to bib@sabew.org. For general contest information, contact SABEW executive director Warren Watson, watson@sabew.org. If you would like more information about SABEW membership, contact membership coordinator Mark Scarp, scarp@sabew.org.
For a .pdf containing the complete list of 2010 contest-year winners and judges’ comments, click here.
Society of American Business Editors and Writers
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication,
Arizona State University
Suite 416, 555 North Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1248
Phone: (602)-496-7862 Fax: (602) 496-7041
E-mail: sabew@sabew.org
©2001 - 2012 Society of American Business Editors and Writers, Inc.