The 2024 Editorial Excellence Awards in Baton Rouge last Friday were a night of celebration. D CEO, the business publication of D Magazine Partners, was honored as the best regional business magazine in the nation for the fourth year in a row. Judged by faculty from the University of Missouri School of Journalism on behalf of the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, the awards are highly regarded in the industry, often called the Oscars of business journalism.
The judges commended D CEO for its impressive and distinctive publication, noting its stylish look and classic, refined sensibility that reflects the city of Dallas. They praised the publication’s beautiful covers, sophisticated typography, technically superb portraits, graceful design, and consistently excellent writing. The judges specifically highlighted the lively profiles and richly reported narratives found in each issue, recognizing D CEO as a top-tier publication.
Creative director Hamilton Hedrick received four gold awards, sweeping the design categories. His achievements included Best Overall Design, Best Use of Photography and Illustrations, Best Cover, and Best Feature Layout for “The Loop Comes Full Circle.” The judges commended Hedrick’s “creative and resourceful” design and praised his “flawless execution,” noting that his work stood out as exceptional in the industry.
D CEO’s annual Dallas 500 publication earned a gold award for Best Ancillary Publication, while its “Roots” series featuring stories by Ben Swanger and Christine Perez received a Silver award for Best Recurring Feature. The judges were impressed by the expert storytelling, solid reporting, and skillful writing evident in these features, which highlighted tales of ambition, resolve, and resilience.
The Alliance of Area Business Publishers is a coalition of over 70 regional and local business journals and magazines in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico. With a combined reach of more than 1.2 million business professionals, these publications play a crucial role in providing valuable insights and information to their audiences.