ACBJ names its best papers

Charlotte-based American City Business Journals, which operates 40 business newspapers across the country, has named its best papers in a variety of categories.

The winners are:

Best use of social media: Boston Business Journal

Best page one: Milwaukee Business Journal

Best special section in paper: Orlando Business Journal

Best special section out of paper: Buffalo Business First

Research excellence: Boston Business Journal

Visual excellence in infographics: Washington Business Journal

Visual excellence in photography: Jacksonville Business Journal

Excellence in writing: Sacramento Business Journal

Excellence in blogging: Boston Business Journal

Best breaking news: Pacific Business News

Best enterprise/investigative reporting: Nashville Business Journal

CEO Whit Shaw noted, “The analysis of this state’s job-creation grant program is exactly what readers should expect of business journalism - a critical investigative look at the intersection of business and government. After the ‘Risky Business’ package ran, the state became much more transparent about its incentives programs and announced it will initiate clawback clauses in its cash grant program.”

Best beat reporting: Patrick Hoge, San Francisco Business Times

Shaw said, “One of ACBJ’s toughest beat assignments has to be covering technology in a region with the highest concentration of tech journalists and tech publications in the world. But this reporter manages to avoid me-too journalism by staking out a territory that focuses on impacts to the local economy, as well as personalities that match the flamboyance of the city.”

General excellence: Boston Business Journal

Shaw said, “With a uniformly smart read and a refreshing, even unpredictable story selection, this paper veers away from the typical and the pedestrian toward more illuminating stories. The judges were consistently delighted with selections that provide a great read for even those not particularly interested in the affairs of business. Beyond print editions, this staff provides a kind of daily journalistic clinic in how to use web and social media to engage and inform readers in stories large, small or just plain interesting.”