SABEW’s familiar acronym remains the same, but the organization is changing its name to the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. The change, which is effective immediately, is part of a broader effort to embrace a global focus on business journalism. The new name comes in advance of the SABEW18 annual spring conference in Washington, D.C., April, 26-28, 2018.
As an example of SABEW’s global reach and impact, the conference’s opening event will focus on international trade and be held at the Embassy of Canada. In 2014, SABEW Canada was launched and continues to thrive with new members, social events, programs and BIB awards.
The SABEW Board of Directors approved the name change as part of the organization’s international expansion and rebranding effort directly reflecting its global growth initiatives.
“The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing name more closely aligns SABEW to business journalists and other stakeholders around the world,” said Kathleen Graham, executive director. “Having ‘American’ in the name suggested that we did not offer membership or training to international journalists. The rebrand is about engaging and encouraging news professionals from across the globe to become members.”
Said President Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst and Washington bureau chief of Bankrate.com: “SABEW will always be primarily invested in business and financial journalism excellence, respect for press freedom and the need for robust and transparent financial and economic data. I’m confident we can gain further traction with a more inclusive name. I encourage our members and others currently outside our terrific organization to join us in these critically important pursuits.”
A new SABEW logo will be unveiled in the next phase of the group’s strategic branding process.
About SABEW: Members of SABEW band together in the individual and collective pursuit of the highest standards of economic journalism. The organization recognizes that economic freedom is inextricably linked to political freedom and that an informed citizenry can ensure these freedoms are sustained. It is SABEW’s mission as an independent, non-profit organization to encourage comprehensive reporting of economic events without fear or favoritism and to increase members’ skills and knowledge through continuous education.
SABEW recently has become more focused on press freedom. To that end, it has issued statements and created events and training highlighting the importance of journalism, including the principle that fact-based reporting is necessary for the health of robust democracies. SABEW advocates for full access to financial and economic data, including information collected and distributed by governments.
SABEW also holds an annual Best in Business awards competition, recognizing outstanding journalism conducted in the U.S. and abroad among professionals and students.
For more information about the organization, go to SABEW.org. For information about the upcoming SABEW18 conference, contact SABEW Executive Director Kathleen Graham at kgraham@sabew.org.
