Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Washington Business Journal Entry Title: Its Own Solar System Entry Credit: Carolyn Proctor, Abdullah Konte, Jacqueline Prins Judge Comment: This entry stood out under every criteria. The reporting led to a well-organized story that took complex issues and made it easy for the reader to follow and understand. The trinkets – factoids, tidbits, charts, graphics – were all excellent tools for readers to engage and consume a lot of information. The photos and illustrations were supportive, not gratuitous or showy in any way. The complete package was informational and explanatory, without feeling like one was reading a textbook. Great job tackling controversial elements of the merger, too.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Richmond magazine Entry Title: We’ll Be Your Monster Entry Credit: Justin Vaughan, James Callahan, Zaid Hamid, Don Harrison Judge Comment: Terrific package: Interesting story about interesting characters, plenty of conflict, photos, and an illustration. Enjoyed every part of this, even thought I'm not the bands target audience. Aa QR code that took folks to a snippet of the music would have been a nice touch for readers not entirely familiar with the band. Story does a good job of mixing a somewhat complicated background and current status. I'd have been interested in their finances. Does all of that multimedia art pay the bills?
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Princess Anne Independent News Entry Title: Roberts & Doucette Feature Entry Credit: Jim Roberts, John-Henry Doucette Judge Comment: Enjoyed this feature story, nicely designed and well-told. The narrative is helped by the variety of voices and the compelling, artful images. An exterior shot would have been nice; the size and scale is mentioned, so I'm curious how it fits in the neighborhood. The cutlines are utilized well to expand on or add information.
Competition Comment: Excellent entries across the board.
