Business and Financial Writing ( Daily Group 1,Daily Group 2)Back
Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The News & Advance Entry Title: Housing market, formula shortage, Michelle Marie Hair Salon Entry Credit: Rachael Smith Judge Comment: The home-buyers story put the market into perspective by using data - but not an overwhelming amount - to add credibility to the tough housing market. But rather than just talk about the problem, the piece offered advice for buyers and sellers. This piece informs and serves the reader. The baby formula story offers a local perspective on a national issue, with a compelling subject as the lede. Though not everyone can relate to this family's extreme challenges, they can relate to the core challenge of not having products in time of need. But because the subject's personal challenge is more dire, this piece has the power to evoke emotion from the reader and thoughtfully adds perspective. The story also is informative, as with the previous piece, and helps the reader take action if they are directly affected by these challenges. As for the hair salon piece, like with all entries from this reporter, the story takes a bigger societal issue and finds a unique, local way to get at it ... while highlighting a local business. Props to the reporter for not sticking to traditional business profiles and finding the story within the story. The lede started out punchy and effective but then continued for too long before getting to the heart of the story. Still, well-written and thoughtfully reported across the board.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Free Lance-Star Entry Title: An emotional lifeline; Caroline hardware store; and Group offers extreme help Entry Credit: Taft Coghill Jr. Judge Comment: The Goodfellaz story took a national issue that had consequences readers might not be familiar with and highlighted how one person is addressing those consequences, while still painting a picture of who that person is and providing a resource for people who may need help. This story works well on multiple levels and is well-written and well-reported. However, I would have liked to see some data to complement the anecdotal problems with mental health in Black communities. As for the hardware store piece, the writer again balanced multiple levels of reporting that formed a full piece featuring a profile on the business owner, the impacts on the community and the challenges small businesses face when competing with large chains. The same could be said for the Garden Inn story, though this piece feels like it has something missing: who are these people at the Garden Inn, how did they get there and how much could this help from Amazon change their current situation?
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Free Lance-Star Entry Title: Garbage piling up; Stafford facility goes last mile for Amazon; and Eatery owners still living the dream Entry Credit: James Scott Baron Judge Comment: The variety of coverage and the reporters' skills are evident through their issue-based reporting, traditional business profiles and their inside look at Amazon, something I'm sure people who use Amazon and live in the community are curious about. The writer does a great job of scene setting, making business reporting relatable and digestible. I would have liked to see more offered in solutions or perspective from the garbage company piece, as the story read like an issue reaction piece at points , rather than a full journalistic dive into the issue. Still, it was clear this problem was identified by the reporter as something people were talking about, and the writer gave a voice to the issue.
Place Name: Alternate Winner Contestant Name: The Free Lance-Star Entry Title: Female barber gives cuts and confidence; Teen’s brand promotes unity; and Spotsy teen launches nonprofit Entry Credit: Adele Uphaus-Conner Judge Comment: I'm left with some questions in the barber story: Why is she getting clients from outside the state, for example, and why the focus on Alopecia to start out? Still, the writer does a great job profiling a unique type of business and businesswoman breaking down barriers and making a difference. The other two stories take a bit too long to get to the point, backing into the businesses with long setups. Had the ledes been tighter, these stories would have scored higher.
